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Altar of Imperial Lord Dong Hua (Lingxiao Treasure Hall): Guide of Taipei Guandu Temple

Altar of Imperial Lord Dong Hua (Lingxiao Treasure Hall) of Taipei Guandu Temple

Located on the left room of the Lingxiao Treasure Hall on the fifth floor, the altar of the Imperial Lord Dong Hua is based on the right side of the altar of Golden Mother Yaochi. This arrangement symbolizes the relationship of the Eastern and Western directions, and the balance of yin and yang. According to popular legend, these deities represent the parents of the universe where living being originate.
The Imperial Lord Dong Hua is an ancient deity, believed to be the Eastern Lord residing at the Fusang Island of Eastern Sea. According to ancient records, the Eastern Lord has white hair, a black face and tail of a tiger. Accompanying him is a black bear and with eyes looking around. The deity’s half-human and half-beast appearance can be seen in paintings and stone carvings during the Han Dynasty. When the worship of the deity became more popular, he began to be clad in an Emperor’s headgear and elegant clothes like an imperial lord.
Although the Imperial Lord Dong Hua in Lingxiao Treasure Hall also wears an Emperor’s headgear, his hands do not carry any ritual object. He is seen unfolding an imperial edict, with the characters ‘All go as you wish’. This pose appears as if he is directly blessing the worshippers.
For the assistants of the Imperial Lord Dong Hua, one holds an imperial seal, and the other holds a treasure sword. The items held by these assistants symbolize power, which is in line with the status of the Imperial Lord Dong Hua.

Foundation Taipei Guandu Temple
Photographer & Director: Yi Kai Chen
Translator & Voice-over: Caroline Chia
Music Supply: Musuc Time Co. Ltd.
Production Institutions:
Department of Multimedia Design,
Chihlee University of Technology.