About Cilong Temple
Cilong Temple is dedicated to Guanyin Buddha. She is served by Shanchai and Liangnu, with the Goddess of Child Birth and Land God as her secondary deities. The temple hosts Taiwan’s folk religion with its mix of Buddhist and Taoist deities. It was known as the Guanyin Pavilion at first and was first founded in the 41st Year of the Qianlong Era during the Manchu Dynasty (1776), The enshrined deity had been brought to Taiwan by Han settlers from Mt. Putuo in Zhejiang. In the 39th Year of the Meiji Era (1906), Chiayi was struck by a huge earthquake that also destroyed Guanyin Pavilion. Funds were raised by Ye Fa, Huang Sian and others to rebuild the temple on its original site. In the 13th Year of the Showa Era (1938, the Japanese government began promoting the “Japanization Movement” and Shinto religion in Taiwan. The temple was merged into the Cheng-Huang Temple under the “one temple per block” policy. In 1947, funds were raised by Tseng Mu and other believers to purchase the current site and rebuild Cilong Temple.
Connection between Master Chinese Painter Yu-Shan Lin and Cilong Temple
Guanyin Goddess decreed that a temple was to built at the current site. The temple was therefore built with local donations and labor. Yu-Shan Lin lived nearby and was an art teacher at National Chiayi Senior High School at the time. He was closely involved with the temple’s interior painting and calligraphy. He drew five animal-themed ink-wash frescoes to pray good good luck. These are the only examples of the great master’s work in Taiwan. The frescoes were the last set of artwork to be completed by Yu-shan Lin before he left Chiayi and the only frescoes he painted for religious buildings.
About the Frescoes
The Cilong Temple frescoes were painted on bamboo-reinforced mudbrick walls. In other words, woven bamboo was used as the framework and covered with clay (dirt), with rice husks, straw, and glutinous rice acting mixed in as the binding agent. Once the wall is dry, it was polished with powdered lime. The frescoes were painted onto the outer layer of lime before it dried. The artwork had to be completed in a short amount of time (before the outer layer of lime on the wall dried). The paints were prone to running and could not be wiped off or corrected.
Cilong Temple Fresco Themes
Cloud Dragon: Captures the dragon in all its glory as a bringer of good luck and happiness.
Divine Providence: A life of wealth, plenty and prestige thanks to divine providence.
Eternal Nobility: Enduring member of the aristocracy blessed with long life and good fortune.
Blessings from Above: Omens of good luck including divine cranes, pine trees, and five fortunes.
Eight Horses: Eight steeds to symbolize success, vitality, and success in all endeavors.
Remarks: Guided tour can be booked on 05-2774488
