Have you ever visited a temple? Whether you answer yes or no, it's easy to imagine that the feeling would be very calm and respectful. Since I've arrived in Taiwan, however, temples have been responsible for some of the liveliest days of my study abroad experience. Temple celebrations in the street look like carnivals. There are large costumed men in stilts, gong players marching in tune and other festivities which have locals lined up to see the action. Temple celebrations are special occasions that you might run into during a typical stroll through the streets. The meaning they carry is open for all to learn about, just as inviting as their festivals.
Taiwanese temples are typically dedicated to one or more folk gods, such as the sea goddess Mazu. These temples can be part of several religious traditions such as Daoism (known as Taoism in the United States) and/or Buddhism. These temples are typically open at all times for people to walk in and perform their rituals in. These include prayers, lighting incense sticks, asking the gods for a message and more. Every so often, leaders of the temple organize street festivals for the local community. A couple of roads close down in order to allow performers dressed in traditional costumes to march through. It's quite an exciting experience!
