Visitors to tudigong altar in Yilan offered popsicles

Visitors to tudigong altar in Yilan offered popsicles

2025-07-07

One altar in Zhuangwei Township, Yilan County has a unique approach to worship: visitors enjoy a free popsicle together with the local tutelary deity. When the Yilan Qianggu Cultural Association was erecting a pillar here recently, they accidentally dug up the deity’s statue, so they built an altar to worship it. Since the association’s members would eat popsicles to cool off during practices for a local pole-climbing competition, they decided the icy treats would be a good way for the public to build a connection with the deity.

Opening this freezer, visitors are greeted with a full stock of popsicles in different flavors – all of which are free.

You have probably never heard of worshippers eating popsicles during prayer, but at this altar in Yilan’s Zhuangwei Township, that’s exactly what visitors do. During Mother’s Day this year, the Yilan Qianggu Cultural Association held a ceremony here to erect a pillar. While installing the pillar, they unexpectedly dug up a statue for the “tudigong” – the local tutelary deity. Since popsicles are a favorite treat of the association, they decided to use popsicles to connect with local worshippers.

Qianggu Cultural Association head coach
We dug up the tudigong here, and thought of moving him to a nearby temple. However, when we asked him through divination if he would be ok with the move, there was no response. Then we asked if he wanted to stay here, and got three affirmative responses in a row. So he clearly wanted to remain here.

The altar was named “Shunfeng,” because a key aspect of the local community’s culture is the Shunfeng flag raising competition, which symbolizes safety and success. Since the coach for the competition often buys popsicles for the team during hot summer practices, the idea came up to use popsicles to connect with visitors.

Qianggu Cultural Association head coach
One of our association members said, “Coach, there’s a temple known for sharing instant noodles, why don’t we share popsicles?” I told him, “I can’t decide that. You’ll have to ask the tudigong.” So, they cast divination blocks, and the tudigong responded positively.

Member of the public
I didn’t expect there to be popsicles—it was quite a surprise. So, we hurried over.

The story of the tudigong who offers popsicles has garnered widespread attention. Though the altar is small, its icy treats have drawn in curious visitors from far and wide.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#mothersday #tudigong #taiwan #culture #religion

來拜拜免費呷冰! 宜蘭壯圍"冰棒土地公"發冰結緣

2025-07-07

拜土地公廟還有冰棒可吃?位在宜蘭縣壯圍鄉有一間土地公廟，當初是宜蘭搶孤文化協會在此地舉辦立孤柱儀式時，意外挖到一尊土地公，於是決定蓋廟供奉，由於搶孤隊練習時，都會吃冰棒消暑，於是蓋好廟後，就用冰棒與民眾結緣。

打開冰櫃，裡頭各種口味的冰棒琳瑯滿目。這些全都是免費的。

有聽過拜拜，還有冰棒可吃的嗎，這裡是宜蘭壯圍的順風宮，也被稱為"冰棒土地公"。原來，今年母親節，宜蘭搶孤文化協會在這裡舉辦"立孤柱"儀式。沒想到在挖土回填時，發現了一尊土地公神像。

[[搶孤總教練]]
“在這邊挖到土地公，後來我們想說是不是，移到對面的土地公廟。後來把土地公移到那邊，那個跟他擲筊的時候，擲沒筊，後來跟他講說是不是要在這個地方，連續擲了三個筊，他說他想在這邊”

由於「順風旗」是搶孤的重要象徵，因此廟名就取為「順風宮」，象徵順利平安。因為夏天訓練時，總教練常買冰棒請隊員吃。後來靈機一動，就用冰棒和信眾結緣。

[[搶孤總教練]]
“選手說，阿教練，有泡麵土地公，那我們來做個冰棒土地公，好不好，我說我不敢跟你說，你要跟伯公問，後來擲筊問伯公，伯公說好”

[[民眾]]
“沒想到還有冰棒，真的覺得滿特別的，然後就趕快衝來”

聽到冰棒土地公的由來，不少民眾嘖嘖稱奇，雖然廟不大，但請吃冰棒的魅力，果然吸引了許多民眾到此一遊。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
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