Longshan Temple
A temple in Taipei that unites Buddhist, Taoist and folk deities, and where worshippers throw crescent blocks and draw fortune slips.
Practised and told of here
Best time: Early morning; the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month are busy.
Longshan Temple was founded in 1738 by settlers from Fujian. It has stood through earthquakes, fire and wartime bombing and remains in daily use.
Divination by blocks
Worshippers ask a god a yes-or-no question and throw two crescent-shaped wooden blocks, called poe. Two flat sides or two round sides give a sign of no, or of no clear answer. For a fuller answer they draw a bamboo stick and look for a matching slip. A temple volunteer will explain the steps.
Many gods under one roof
Guanyin sits in the main hall, with the matchmaker god Yue Lao, the god of literature and the god of war in side halls. Students ask for exam success and singles ask for a partner, and the temple provides a form of red thread for the latter.
Visiting
Do not step on the threshold of the doors. Keep your voice low during chanting at the hall.
A respectful visit to Longshan Temple
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- The front court Watch the placement of offerings and the circuit of the incense burner.
- The main hall Learn how the blocks are thrown from the temple's guide.
- Yue Lao's shrine See the red threads and plates.
- Bopiliao Old Street Walk to the nearby Qing-period shopfronts.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Longshan Temple (Taipei)" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
No entries here yet. New pages are added every day.