Confucius Temple (Taipei)
The Confucius Temple ( Chinese 臺北市 孔廟 , Pinyin Táiběi Shì Kǒng miào ) is a complex of around six buildings in which the Chinese scholar Confucius is venerated. It is located in the central Datong district of the Taiwanese capital Taipei .
history
A Confucius Temple had existed in Taipei since 1879, but after the end of the Sino-Japanese War in 1894, Taiwan came under Japanese suzerainty and the temple was occupied by Japanese troops. The Confucius rites were no longer held, various cult objects were destroyed or lost, and the temple fell into disrepair until it was demolished in 1907 to make way for the Taipei First Girls' High School . In this, however, a pavilion was built in which Confucius memorial plaques were kept. The pavilion was opened once a year for students and teachers in order to be able to hold the Confucius rites. After private individuals had donated enough money and land, the rebuilding of the temple began elsewhere, on Dalong Street, in 1925.
Wang Yi-Shun , a carpenter from Quanzhou , was entrusted with the design and supervision of the work . At the time of the end of the Qing Dynasty , he was one of the most respected in his field. He came to Taipei in 1920 to restore the Longshan Temple , Mengjia Longshan Temple, and the Temple of the City of God . He had previously made a name for himself by building various temples in Fujian Province . The work was completed in 1939, but Confucius's birthday was celebrated here again in 1930.
During the Second World War , the typical Chinese Confucius rites were banned by the Japanese. In 1971 the temple was handed over to the state, which in turn passed it on to the city of Taipei.
investment
The complex takes up a total area of 16,650 m² and consists of several buildings and a garden with a pond. The architectural style of the temple is based on models from Fujian Province, where its builder also came from. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Daoist Bao'An Temple . In the large main hall you can see a plaque presented by Chiang Kai-Shek . It says: Education knows no class barriers . Every year on September 28th, Confucius 'birthday, which is also celebrated as Teachers' Day in Taiwan , the Shidian ceremony takes place. During the traditional ceremony, a. the Yi dance performed by 64 dancers. The external facility includes the following buildings:
- Hong Gate (Gate of Learning)
- Pan gong gate (side gate)
- Pan pond (half moon pond) and bridge
- Wanren Gongqiang (Wall of Greatest Knowledge)
- Lingxing Gate (main entrance)
- Administration building
The courtyard around the main hall is formed by the following buildings:
- Yi Gate (ceremonial gate)
- West and east wings
- Chongsheng Shrine
- Exhibition rooms and visitor center
The Confucius Temple is open to the public Tuesday through Sunday.
Web links
Coordinates: 25 ° 4 ′ 22.6 ″ N , 121 ° 30 ′ 59.8 ″ E