Lugang Mazu Temple is a national historic landmark with over four hundred years of rich history. It is one of the oldest Mazu temples in Taiwan and the first to enshrine one of the six inaugural Mazu statues (kāijīmā, the original Mazu statue of a temple, installed during its inaugural ceremony) of Meizhou Mazu Temple, the first Mazu temple in the world. Lugang Mazu Temple’s construction and ornamentation—including woodwork, stone sculptures, and paintings—were carried out by celebrated artists. The temple’s Sanchuan (Front) Hall contains some of the most extraordinary artwork found in the temple. All of the hall’s stone sculptures, floral carvings, and paintings were created by renowned masters. The hall also preserves some extremely rare antiques that can be found nowhere else, from plaques with inscriptions by Chinese Qing emperors, officials, and military officers, to Taoist talismans and a seal of Mazu from Meizhou Temple. Since Meizhou Mazu Temple was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, the Lugang temple’s Mazu statue and the thousands of antiques it preserves have become even more precious and historically significant.

Although now officially titled Lugang Mazu Temple, the temple actually goes by several names. It was formerly known as Lugang Tianfei (Heavenly Queen) Temple and also once called Luxi Shengmu (Holy Mother) Temple. It is often referred to by local residents as just the Mazu Temple or Jiuzu (Old Mazu) Temple. The temple was first constructed in the 1600s, at a location slightly north of its current site. For over four hundred years, this Mazu temple safeguarded local residents emigrating from southern China (the Minnan area). In 1683, Shi Lang (1621 – 1696), the commander-in-chief of the Chinese fleet during the Qing dynasty, brought one of the six inaugural Mazu (Patroness of the Sea) statues from Meizhou Mazu Temple with him for protection during his invasion of Taiwan. The statue was later given the title Heavenly Queen (tiānfēi) for her contribution to military victory. Shi Lang also donated a plaque with the inscription “My Benevolent Queen” in gratitude for Mazu’s blessings. The Mazu statue was then housed in Lukang, a prosperous commercial center at the time. In 1725, the temple was relocated by Shi Shi-bang (1671 – 1743), a cousin of Shi Lang, to its current location. The temple underwent several renovations during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The structure of the temple complex follows the Diantang style, an architectural design with steeper roof slope that is typically adopted by palace buildings or official residence. The Sanchuan Hall was renovated in 1933 by Wang Shu-fa, the nephew of famous master carpenter Ong Ek-sun (1861 – 1931) of Quanzhou, China. Lukang Mazu Temple was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1985.
 

LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

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LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

LuGang Port, Taiwan

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