All Taiwan Ruyi-Zengshou Tang, Bailong An
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The Shih Jia Jiang Troop (ten-general troop) of Ruyi Zengshou Tang (As-you-wish Longevity House), Bailong An (White Dragon Shrine) has Taiwan's earliest Jia Jiang troop, and its array format has been spread to Gongshan Tang (Common Good House) in Donggang, Pingtung and Gongji Tang (Luck Greeting House) in Taocheng, Chiayi, and other places. During Daoguang period (1821-1850) of the Qing Dynasty, a shrine named All Taiwan Bailong An was founded to the right of Taiwan’s military headquarters compound (now Accessories Factory of the Combined Logistics Command on Gongyuan Road) in the Zhenbeifang area of Tainan. The shrine was dedicated to Wulinggong (Five Wish-answering Lords, also known as Five Great Emperors of Happiness). They are five deities in folk religion of Fuzhou whom the military camp officers and soldiers especially admired and trusted. Back then, there was already a custom of putting together religious costume processions imitating patrols by military generals. In such processions, the generals were played by officers and soldiers stationed in the Governor's Office at first, and residents of Datong Street later. The tradition has been passed down in the same line for more than a hundred years and Bailong An is the birthplace of Taiwan's Jia Jian (military general) troops which advocate ethics, morality and respect for the elderly and the virtuous.
The Shih Jia Jiang Troop (ten-general troop) of Ruyi Zengshou Tang (As-you-wish Longevity House), Bailong An (White Dragon Shrine) has Taiwan's earliest Jia Jiang troop, and its array format has been spread to Gongshan Tang (Common Good House) in Donggang, Pingtung and Gongji Tang (Luck Greeting House) in Taocheng, Chiayi, and other places. During Daoguang period (1821-1850) of the Qing Dynasty, a shrine named All Taiwan Bailong An was founded to the right of Taiwan’s military headquarters compound (now Accessories Factory of the Combined Logistics Command on Gongyuan Road) in the Zhenbeifang area of Tainan. The shrine was dedicated to Wulinggong (Five Wish-answering Lords, also known as Five Great Emperors of Happiness). They are five deities in folk religion of Fuzhou whom the military camp officers and soldiers especially admired and trusted. Back then, there was already a custom of putting together religious costume processions imitating patrols by military generals. In such processions, the generals were played by officers and soldiers stationed in the Governor's Office at first, and residents of Datong Street later. The tradition has been passed down in the same line for more than a hundred years and Bailong An is the birthplace of Taiwan's Jia Jian (military general) troops which advocate ethics, morality and respect for the elderly and the virtuous. There used to be one troop under each of the five deities, a troop of ten generals under Lord Jhang, eight under Lord Jhong, eight under Lord Liu, six under Lord Shih, and eight under Jhao. Among them, the troop of Lord Zhang's house, Ruyi Zengshou Tang, is the only one that survives today. The complete lineup of the Troop comprises four generals Gan, Liou, Sie, Fan, four gods of seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter, accompanied by a civil messenger, military messenger, civil judge, military judge, and punishment instruments bearer (Shih Yi). The Troop has meticulous rules for processions and the members must observe the precepts strictly and serve the Lord faithfully to take part and play a role. In 1994, Chin-ming Chen, coach of the Troop, received the Art Heritage Award from the Ministry of Education. Having been invited to represent Taiwan and entertain overseas Taiwanese in a number of countries, the Troop of Bailong An endeavors to promote the unique tradition of Jia Jiang Troop and be a role model of temple fair culture.
The Shih Jia Jiang Troop (ten-general troop) of Ruyi Zengshou Tang (As-you-wish Longevity House), Bailong An (White Dragon Shrine) has Taiwan's earliest Jia Jiang troop, and its array format has been spread to Gongshan Tang (Common Good House) in Donggang, Pingtung and Gongji Tang (Luck Greeting House) in Taocheng, Chiayi, and other places. During Daoguang period (1821-1850) of the Qing Dynasty, a shrine named All Taiwan Bailong An was founded to the right of Taiwan’s military headquarters compound (now Accessories Factory of the Combined Logistics Command on Gongyuan Road) in the Zhenbeifang area of Tainan. The shrine was dedicated to Wulinggong (Five Wish-answering Lords, also known as Five Great Emperors of Happiness). They are five deities in folk religion of Fuzhou whom the military camp officers and soldiers especially admired and trusted. Back then, there was already a custom of putting together religious costume processions imitating patrols by military generals. In such processions, the generals were played by officers and soldiers stationed in the Governor's Office at first, and residents of Datong Street later. The tradition has been passed down in the same line for more than a hundred years and Bailong An is the birthplace of Taiwan's Jia Jian (military general) troops which advocate ethics, morality and respect for the elderly and the virtuous. There used to be one troop under each of the five deities, a troop of ten generals under Lord Jhang, eight under Lord Jhong, eight under Lord Liu, six under Lord Shih, and eight under Jhao. Among them, the troop of Lord Zhang's house, Ruyi Zengshou Tang, is the only one that survives today. The complete lineup of the Troop comprises four generals Gan, Liou, Sie, Fan, four gods of seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter, accompanied by a civil messenger, military messenger, civil judge, military judge, and punishment instruments bearer (Shih Yi). The Troop has meticulous rules for processions and the members must observe the precepts strictly and serve the Lord faithfully to take part and play a role. In 1994, Chin-ming Chen, coach of the Troop, received the Art Heritage Award from the Ministry of Education. Having been invited to represent Taiwan and entertain overseas Taiwanese in a number of countries, the Troop of Bailong An endeavors to promote the unique tradition of Jia Jiang Troop and be a role model of temple fair culture.