Temple sets NT$2 million king boat ablaze for grand fiery farewell

Temple sets NT$2 million king boat ablaze for grand fiery farewell

2025-10-13

A towering paper ship worth nearly NT$2 million went up in flames in Miaoli, as part of a rare and spectacular ritual. The event is organized by a Temple in Waipu, to commemorate the arrival of three king boats and bring peace to the land. The ritual takes place once every six years, and is now in its fifth edition.

This paper king ship cost NT$2 million. It’s about to get set on fire in Houlong, Miaoli, surrounded by so many offerings that a crane had to be brought in.

Chu Chun-sheng
Hexing Temple Head
We had three king boats mooring here. The celestial lord told us to perform this ceremony every six years.

The temple says that three king boats came to shore at Waipu during the Qing Dynasty and the Japanese colonial period, earning it the nickname “The village of the king boats.”

Every six years, the temple holds this unique ceremony. This time around, it took craftsmen six months to construct this paper boat, which is more than 2.5m wide and 8.5m long. All for it to be set alight.

Cheng Chang-chun
Hexing Temple Priest
After offering their protection to our town for several years, the lords return to the Heavenly Court on this boat. They report with the Jade Emperor to bring peace to the land.

Divination blocks are cast before every ceremony to ask for guidance and determine the date and time of the event. This year was the 5th edition of the festival, which started in 2007. The temple hopes to preserve traditional rites, and encourage more young people to join and keep the tradition alive.

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#taiwan #miaoli #houlong #ritual #tradition #heritage #festival #culturalpride #blessing #community

時隔6年再辦百年科儀 "王爺船之鄉"後龍合興宮第5度燒王船

2025-10-13

苗栗後龍鎮外埔庄合興宮，時隔6年，12日舉行「燒王船」祭典。外埔庄百年來，是全台唯一曾有3艘來自中國福建省的王爺船靠岸的庄頭，因此被譽為「王爺船之鄉」，這次斥資200萬打造紙製王船，是合興宮第5次辦理「燒王船」科儀，場面熱鬧。

斥資近200萬打造的王船，在苗栗後龍石歡石滬旁準備焚燒，週邊擺放的物品多到必須出動吊車。

[[外埔庄合興宮主委朱俊生]]
“我們這邊有3艘王船，來我們這邊靠岸，王爺就指示6年一科儀做王船醮”

廟方指出，在清代、日治時代，外埔庄共發現來自對岸的3艘王爺船靠岸，可說是王船熱點！因此被譽為「王爺船之鄉」。

外埔庄合興宮時隔6年舉辦「燒王船」科儀。這次由南部工匠歷時半年打造的紙造王船，船身寬8尺6、長28尺半，一切就緒，展開燒王船儀式。

[[外埔庄合興宮道長陳長春]]
“王爺在我們這邊鎮守幾年之後，王船將祂們送回天庭，向玉皇上帝覆旨，使地方安寧”

廟方表示，每次舉辦王船祭前都會擲筊請示王爺，歷次祭典時間也依神意安排。自西元2007年首次舉辦王船祭以來，今年是第五度舉行，廟方表示，在維持傳統祭儀時，盡量增加年輕人對祭典的親近感與參與感，避免王船信仰出現斷層。

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