Deity statue’s visibly ‘grown’ beard delights worshippers

Deity statue’s visibly ‘grown’ beard delights worshippers

2026-06-24

Could this be a miracle? Worshippers at a Yilan temple dedicated to the Sacred Founding Duke of Zhangzhou were delighted to find that the deity statue’s beard had become visibly longer over a 12-year period. His facial hair had been hidden under his robe all this time until it was uncovered in a recent restoration project. It’s most likely that the material got stretched out over the years.

A temple in Yilan dedicated to the Sacred Founding Duke of Zhangzhou had never once removed the deity’s statue in 12 years. The statue was starting to show cracks on the face, so the temple decided to have it repaired. When the deity’s robe was removed for cleaning, the temple manager was shocked to find that the god’s beard had become longer.

Huang Chin-yang
Temple manager
The face of our main deity already had cracks, so we wanted to fix that. The deity’s outer robe has also gotten quite grimy, so we had that cleaned too. After removing the robe, we were shocked to find that his beard had grown so much.

Before, the statue’s beard only reached the chest area. Now, it looks to be inches longer. Several strands were even creeping toward the feet. Worshippers are in awe of the extraordinary sight.

Kung Pi-hua
Worshipper
It’s really mysterious. I can’t fathom why it would grow longer. Perhaps there’s an unseen force at play. Usually, the deity’s beard is made of plastic or nylon. It’s curious that it could even grow.

Owner
Religious goods shop
I think it’s the air and the climate, environmental causes like that.

Lin Yang-hung
High school science teacher
It looks like it used to be a little curly, and with time the curls gradually relaxed so it appears longer.

It’s most likely that the material gradually relaxed under high humidity, though worshippers would rather believe that divine forces are at play. Regardless, the phenomenon delighted repair technicians and worshippers alike.

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#temple #culture #folkreligion #miracle #delightful

神尊顯靈? 供奉12年開漳聖王修復驚見"鬍鬚變長"

2026-06-24

日前，宜蘭一間開漳聖王廟，因神尊臉部有一些受損，廟方將12年未請下的神尊請了下來，請修復師傅來修復，別果沒想到，把神像披風脫下時，發現神明的鬍子變長了，讓信眾直呼神奇。

宜蘭開漳聖王廟內，供奉的開漳聖王神尊，已經高坐神壇超過十二年，期間從來沒有請下來過。最近因為神像臉部出現裂痕，廟方決定請來專業師傅進行修復，沒想到神明的披風一掀開，有意外的發現。

[[廟方主委黃進洋]]
“正殿主席這個臉部已經有那個裂痕了，所以說我們要把它處理。神明的那個外套啊，已經很髒了嘛，就要把它順便就把它洗一洗，才把那個外套脫下來以後，才看到說，這個鬍鬚怎麼會變成這麼長。”

跟過往相比，神像之前的鬍鬚只到胸口位置，如今卻明顯長了一大截，甚至有幾綹青絲已經長到了神像腳下。這一變化，讓不少信眾看了忍不住直呼神奇。

[[信徒龔必華]]
“這個非常玄，應該是我沒辦法去理解它為什麼會長長，是不是一種冥冥之中有什麼力量，一般的話他們做神明的鬍鬚，一般都是用塑膠或尼龍繩，他為什麼會長長，這個就很奇怪。”

[[佛具店業者]]
“我覺得就是空氣呀、氣候啊，一些就是我們的環境的原因。”

[[宜蘭高中理化老師林揚閔]]
“看起來是原本它是有一點捲，然後慢慢的可能日間，那個經過時間的推移之後，它可能沒有那麼捲，它所以好像變長一點點。”

有人認為可能是材質受潮或長時間自然伸展，也有人相信是神蹟顯現。無論原因為何，十二年來神像首度脫下神袍，就發現鬍鬚悄悄變長，這個意外插曲，也讓這次修復工程多了幾分神秘色彩。

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Dense cluster of lollipop-like bollards raises public curiosity

To prevent driving violations, yellow bollards are often seen on Taiwan’s roads. Their purpose is to guide traffic flows, protect pedestrians’ safety and prevent accidents. However, in two spots in Changhua and Yilan, hundreds of yellow bollards are densely huddled together, igniting intense curiosity on social media. Let’s find out more.

Look closely and you’ll see that on this short 100-m stretch of a four-lane road there are at least hundreds of yellow bollards, looking like lollipops stuck in the road.

- It’s hilarious!
- It’s hilarious? Why?
- Because there are so many! I haven’t seen that many before. It’s probably to prevent wrong-way driving and other violations.

- There must be a safety reason for doing this.

They are set up on Lane 207 of Section 2 of Wujie Road, Yilan, a four-lane road. Owing to its width, motorcyclists frequently make illegal U-turns and even cars are often illegally parked on the road. Therefore an enormous number of yellow bollards were installed, acting as a barrier to prevent traffic violations. A similar scene can be observed on County Road 139 in Changhua, a winding mountain road that is lined densely with yellow bollards interspersed with warning posts.

At the densest locations, there’s one bollard roughly at every meter. Some netizens commented that it triggers trypophobia. Or is it a test for motorcyclists and truck drivers?

- We older folks take it slow, so it doesn’t affect us. It’s those riders who like to mess around—if they want to play like that, their bikes should just be impounded.
- Does installing these things prevent then flying off the road?
- Yes, but how could they fly off if they’re riding slowly?

- Personally, I’d definitely prefer not to.
- Sometimes it might obstruct your bike riding?
- Yes

In fact, these are safety measures installed by the Changhua County Government. Following multiple fatal accidents on curved sections of County Route 139, authorities installed 120 warning posts and 200 bollards. Whether in Yilan or Changhua, these lollipop-like bollards are intended to reduce illegal U-turns and lower accident rates.

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

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LA restaurant owner reflects on viral fame of Taiwanese rice balls

Purple rice balls filled with pork floss and fried dough sticks are an everyday food in Taiwan. But they recently became popular in Los Angeles, thanks to some viral videos of influencers trying the breakfast favorite. The sudden fame has resulted in booming business for the restaurant. Operated by a family of Taiwanese immigrants, they’re known for offering authentic Taiwanese flavors. Now they easily sell over 300 rice balls in a week.

This influencer’s face was pure bliss as he took his first bite of an enormous purple rice ball. It may be common to Taiwanese, but it’s new to Americans.

Influencer
Based in US
The egg and the sausage, it was only US$10.25. You can get them even cheaper if you don’t add anything else in there.

The purple rice balls at this Taiwanese breakfast shop in Los Angeles have gone viral. The owner, Jason, is a second-generation Taiwanese-American.

Jason
Restaurant owner
We sell out by 11 a.m. There’s a constant stream of customers coming just to get the rice balls. I had no clue what was happening. After two, three, four days of it, some of my friends and family told me it went viral on TikTok and Instagram. We had no idea.

These massive 590g rice balls sell for US$7.50, or about NT$238, with the option to add additional fillings. Jason used to sell at most 60 to 70 in a regular workweek, but since it went viral in April, that’s turned into over 300.

Jason
Restaurant owner
We were the first to sell Taiwanese breakfast food here in LA. When my parents opened the shop in 1978, they didn’t even know how to make fried dough sticks. It’s so funny. Right after taking them out of the oil, they started sagging like this.

Aside from rice balls, they also serve sticky rice dumplings, salty soy milk, and other Taiwanese snacks like guabao, steamed buns, and gelatinous meatballs. The family often travels back to Taiwan for culinary inspiration.

Jason
Restaurant owner
Our radish cakes also sell well. Every once in a while, we hear some older customers saying it really tastes like it does in Taiwan and it makes them happy.

Jason allows people to customize their rice ball and guabao orders. But he has a word to say about the price.

Jason
Restaurant owner
The rice balls are huge with lots inside. There’s egg, pickles, sausage… And the minimum wage here is US$16.90. You just can’t compare with Taiwan.

These authentic flavors are taking LA by storm, introducing more people to the charms of a classic Taiwanese breakfast.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#breakfast #riceball #fantuan #Taiwanesebreakfast #LA #viral #TaiwanUS #foodtrends #TikTok

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China carriers spotted near Taiwan as combat readiness drills enter Day 3

It’s Day 3 of the military’s combat readiness drills in preparation for a potential Chinese attack. Cloud Leopard armored vehicles were seen speeding through Taipei’s streets at night in a rare sight, while HIMARS, or high mobility artillery rocket systems, took part in the exercises for the first time in Central Taiwan. Coincidentally, two Chinese aircraft carriers loomed in waters close to Taiwan during the drills.

Military Police officers and soldiers drive heavy motorcycles in a simulation of infiltration and harassing attacks by enemy agents. Cloud Leopard armored vehicles speed through the streets of Taipei, guarding the capital’s security.

F-16V fighter jets from Chiayi Air Force Base scrambled into the air, followed immediately by Mirage 2000 jets taxiing at high speed down the runway. To mitigate threat risks, the Air Force dispersed its main fighter fleets. As the National Armed Forces entered the third day of immediate combat readiness drills, the military’s elite combat capabilities were on full display.

Shifting the focus to Central Taiwan, the 58th Artillery Command’s HIMARS missile vehicles made their debut in immediate combat readiness drills, using local terrain and features for cover to reduce the risk of enemy reconnaissance and strikes. The units showcased their rapid repositioning capabilities.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
Immediate combat readiness drills primarily focus on the ability to respond quickly, rapidly conduct combat readiness preparations and respond to possible emergencies, establishing the necessary speed for peacetime-to-wartime transitions.

During the military exercises, the areas around the Taiwan Strait were not peaceful. Footage showed the PLA aircraft carrier Liaoning being tailed at close range by Japanese Self-Defense Force aircraft and ships. On the evening of June 23, the Ministry of National Defense also announced that the Fujian aircraft carrier had transited the Taiwan Strait. Surveillance photos showed the flight deck was clear of carrier-based aircraft and there were no escorting ships. The presence of two Chinese aircraft carriers near Taiwan is making the region more volatile.

Lin Ying-yu
Tamkang University
It’s unlikely that the CCP will conduct a joint operation with two aircraft carriers. Instead, it will send the Liaoning back to its home port for maintenance and repairs, while sending the Fujian southward for drills, thus maintaining constant pressure on the Philippines in the South China Sea.

Su Tzu-yun
Institute for National Defense and Security Research
The Fujian is very likely heading to the South China Sea to conduct another round of integrated training and formation work with its naval air force’s J-15 and J-35 fighters.

In response to the current tense situation, the military is strengthening its reserve combat capabilities. Starting this year, it has changed the mandatory training period for all reservists to 14 days. A reservist may be called up for a maximum of 56 days. At the same time, the military is also considering amending the law to expand training with the inclusion of discharged women service members.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
We believe women possess outstanding capabilities and perform exceptionally well in the military. Upon finishing their active service and discharging, I believe they should likewise undergo reservist training. As for amending the law, it is currently under review.

By extending training periods and enhancing combat-oriented courses, the armed forces are employing a two-pronged strategy to ensure the immediate combat readiness of reservists.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#military #defense #drills #crossstrait #taiwan

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Taiwanese Hakka choir quits global choral event over “China” label

A choir of Hakka youth has withdrawn from the world’s top choral music event after China allegedly pressured the organizers to describe Taiwan as part of its territory. A decision was made to pull out the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir from the World Symposium on Choral Music, which will be held in the Chinese territory of Macau on August 23, after the nation was unexpectedly described as "Taiwan, China" on the event’s website. Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku Hsiu-fei says unless the nation’s name is changed back to "Taiwan," the choir won’t take part. Let’s find out more.

Beautiful melodies were sung loudly in unison at this special performance held in Taiwan last year by the National Taiwan Hakka Children’s Choir.

This choir was originally scheduled to perform at the “World Symposium on Choral Music,” an event dubbed the “Olympics of choral music,” in Macau on August 23. However, owing to pressure allegedly exerted on the organizers, the nation’s name was once again downgraded, forcing the Taiwanese choir to cancel its performance.

Sung Ting-tung
Hakka Public Communication Foundation
These children are facing suppression and a subsequent inability to participate at what might be a crucial starting point in their process of self-realization. We will continue to seek opportunities for self-realization internationally.

A promotional video released by the organizing body originally referred to the nation as “Taiwan.” However, in late April, the organizers sent a letter requesting that the name be changed to “Chinese Taipei”. By June 22, Taiwan’s name on the event’s official website had even been changed to “Taiwan, China,” without authorization, prompting Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku Hsiu-fei to angrily denounce the move, saying they would absolutely never bow down to China.

Ku Hsiu-fei
Hakka Affairs Council Minister
We strongly condemn the CCP’s interference in and suppression of cultural and artistic activities. People have dignity, and nations have national dignity. Dignity cannot be trampled on, and national dignity cannot be disparaged. The choir’s name is a part of the organization’s identity and right to autonomy. The organizers should respect this principle of autonomy and we should practice mutual respect. If we are not allowed to change the name back to our original title, we will refuse to participate.

Taiwan has repeatedly suffered from China’s belittling and suppression in the international community. In response to China’s domineering behavior, Hakka Affairs Council Minister Ku emphasized that Taiwan’s sovereignty and the Hakka spirit must be defended with all efforts.

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