Southern Style Temples (Minnan Style)
Southern style temples are mostly taken over from the Minnan coast, where luxuriant ornaments and delicate craftsmanship are emphasized. The roofs are often decorated with ‘ridge tail’ that are raised at both ends, and with fortunate symbols such as dragons and phoenixes, two dragons fight over a pearl, and god of good fortune, prosperity and longevity, etc. The colors used are vivid and bold.
The architectures are mostly wooden, with stone to demonstrate a sense of grandeur. In addition, there are a wide variety of decorative arts such as carving, painting and Koji pottery.
Northern Style Temples
Temples of the Northern style are more solemn and calm, emphasizing symmetry and order. The ridge of the roof is straight, flanked by sacred beasts, and the decoration is relatively simple.
Stones are often used as main materials. The exterior is simple and grand, with monochromatic colors such as blue, yellow and lime green.
Decorative Crafts in Temples
The decorative crafts of temples in Taiwan include wood carving, stone carving, clay sculpture, ceramics collage art, and painting. Each craft involves the skills of the craftsmen and faith symbols:
- Wood carving: Commonly used in god statues, shrines and joints of building components.
- Stone carving: Commonly used for dragon pillars, stone lions, wall panels, etc. to show solidity and fortune.
- Clay sculptures and ceramics collage art: Mostly used to decorate roofs and walls, presenting stories and aesthetic.
What Is “Píng-chhâng-tso̍k”?
The ‘Píng-chhâng-tso̍k’ (also known as ‘Pairing together’ and ‘Pairing construction’) is a special construction method of traditional Chinese architecture, which is especially common in Taiwan, Fujian, and Guangdong.
The method is to divide the temple into two main parts along the central axis or the front and back halls, and engage teams of craftsmen of different masters to build the temple independently and then assemble the temple together.
Origins and Spirit of “Píng-chhâng-tso̍k”
Several theories explain the origins of this practice:
- Large-scale projects required multiple teams, as a single team couldn’t complete the job alone.
- Some cases were motivated by the need to speed up construction or train apprentices.
- The most spectacular cases involved deliberate competitions between elite craftsmen, sometimes incentivized with prize money, to push craftsmanship to its limits.
This competition often results in architectural elements with similar dimensions but distinct differences in shape, style, carving, and materials, creating an aesthetic of “asymmetrical symmetry” and turning temples into stages of craftsmanship rivalry.
Architectural Features of Píng-chhâng-tso̍k
- Left-right split: The most common form, with each side of the central axis (such as the front hall, main hall structure, stone carvings, and roof) built by different teams.
- Front-rear split: A less common variant involving separate construction of front and rear halls.
In intense competitions, differences in carving, materials, and techniques become apparent, sometimes causing visual discord but enhancing artistic value.
Notable Examples in Taiwan
- Sanchong Xianse Temple (先嗇宮): Rebuilt in 1925, it features a "dual-craftsmanship" battle between renowned masters Chen Yingbin (Tiger side) and Wu Haitong (Dragon side), each showcasing unique techniques and materials—one of Taiwan’s most representative examples.
- Baoan Temple in Dalongdong (大龍峒保安宮): A conflict between temple committee members led to two masters—Hong Kunfu from China and Chen Dating from Taiwan—each constructing one side of the roof, creating a legendary example of competitive construction.
- Other temples: Hsinchu Guanghe Temple, Luzhou Baohe Temple, Pingtung Wanhui Temple, and Taitung Tianhou Temple also exhibit traces of this unique building tradition, making them valuable assets in Taiwanese architectural history.
Cultural Significance of Píng-chhâng-tso̍k
More than a technical showdown, píng-chhâng-tso̍k represents the spirit of craftsmanship and regional pride. Through competition, artisans pursue perfection, transforming temples into sanctuaries of folk art brimming with life and storytelling.
“Earth and wood artisans compete in splendor,” showcasing creative brilliance and mastery through rivalry.
Today, such practices are rare and survive only in heritage restoration. These buildings stand as testaments to the richness and diversity of Taiwanese temple culture, reminding us to cherish and preserve this unique cultural heritage.
Easter Egg
On June 1, 2025, after watching the dragon boat races,
Hamster arrived at the front of a temple. Looking up,
she noticed that the interior decorations on either side of the building appeared slightly different.