South Taiwan hosts triennial King Boat celebration
南台灣舉辦三年一度的王船祭典
| Huge wooden King Boat set ablaze, allowing deity Wang Ye's return to heaven
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The triennial King Boat ceremony finale in Pingtung's Donggang occurred at 4 a.m. on Monday (Nov. 18), when a boat loaded with ghost money and other offerings was set ablaze. The spectacle was witnessed by hundreds of devotees, who believe the burning of the King Boat is a way of sending the deity Wang Ye (王爺) back to the Heavenly Court. Begun in 1684, the ceremony allowed the community to unite and banish evil spirits. It has evolved into a celebration of peace and security, per UDN. In 2011, the ceremony was listed as a culturally significant event in Taiwan's heritage. Government officials have pledged more support and resources, helping preserve the tradition and educate future generations. An important part of the ceremony is towing the wooden King Boat to Qifeng Beach 10 kilometers away. At midnight, the faithful accompanied the boat on foot or scooter for its final voyage. The King Boat and palanquins carrying deities arrived at the final destination at 1:30 a.m. Temple officials hoisted the boat into position and loaded it with ghost money and other sacrificial items. Previously, it was taboo for women to take part in the procession. The population decline eased the gender-based taboo, and women now play a more active role in the ceremony. Donglong Temple fired cannons at 4:15 a.m., as flames rose to the ship's hull, symbolizing the cleansing and banishment of bad luck and plague. The top mast eventually collapsed around 5:41 a.m. According to temple authorities, every three years, Wang Ye's followers in Nanzhou hold a ceremony to welcome the new king and send off the old king. The ceremony allows Wang Ye to travel freely between heaven and earth. In 2021, Pingtung County Magistrate Pan Men-an (潘孟安) announced the government would begin the construction of a King Boat cultural museum. Pan said it would present a one-to-one scale King Boat and a technology-driven immersive theater. |
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| Sean Scanlan, Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2024-11-18 |
