Kaizhang Shengwang (Sacred King of Zhangzhou)

In 669, the second year of Emperor Gaozong's Zongzhang era, unrest broke out among the non-Han peoples of southern Fujian, and the court sent Chen Zheng south with his troops to restore order. When Chen Zheng died, command passed to his son Chen Yuanguang, just 21 years old.

What set this young commander apart was that he didn't rely on fighting alone. In Zhangzhou he built beacon towers and garrisoned troops against attack, while at the same time spreading the farming methods of the Central Plains and founding schools, easing the conflict between Han and non-Han peoples through intermarriage, trade, and education. In an age when restoring order meant conquest, he chose a harder and more far-sighted path.

In 711, the second year of the Jingyun era, Chen Yuanguang was killed in battle against Lan Fenggao, at the age of 55. The people of Zhangzhou, grateful for all he had built, raised temples to him of their own accord. Emperor Xuanzong of Tang gave him the posthumous title "Zhongyi Wenhui," Emperor Huizong of Song elevated him to "Kaizhang Zhu Shengwang," and ordinary people honored him as Kaizhang Shengwang.

A thousand years later, when the descendants of Zhangzhou crossed to Taiwan to clear new land, they faced the same unfamiliar ground and the same conflicts, and they brought Kaizhang Shengwang onto the boat with them. The pioneering spirit of a thousand years before took root in Taiwan's soil.

The main offerings to Kaizhang Shengwang are fresh flowers, fruit, pastries, and clear tea, and some worshippers prepare the three sacrificial meats. Around his birthday on the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month, temples hold celebrations with sutra chanting, processions, and banquets for the god. It is when his incense burns brightest.

Kaizhang Shengwang is the guardian of the Zhangzhou people, and many communities descended from Zhangzhou keep up the tradition of pilgrimage to the ancestral temple: groups travel to Weihui Temple in Zhangzhou, Fujian, then return to their branch temples in Taiwan. This practice has gradually revived since the lifting of martial law.

At temples in old Zhangzhou migrant settlements, such as Guangji Temple in Zhonghe, New Taipei, you can often see local elders casting moon blocks to consult the god and lighting lamps for blessings on his birthday. If you want to see how the worship organizations of Taiwan's early migrant society actually work, this is the most direct way.

Kaizhang Shengwang's Birthday: the 15th day of the 2nd lunar month. Temples in communities descended from Zhangzhou hold celebrations including sutra chanting, processions, banquets for the god, and glove puppet performances.

Pilgrimage to the ancestral temple: Some temples organize group pilgrimages to Weihui Temple in Zhangzhou, Fujian, around his birthday, one of the important rituals of cultural exchange between Taiwan and Fujian.

New Year group worship: During the Lunar New Year, communities descended from Zhangzhou hold group New Year gatherings and worship at Kaizhang Shengwang temples, praying for a peaceful new year and a thriving family. It's an important occasion for seeing the cohesion of Taiwan's early Zhangzhou migrant society.