臺灣關帝信仰的文教內涵：以苗栗區域為例之詮釋

Abstract

This article examines the significance and distribution of Taiwan's "KuanTi (關帝 ) Worship" in the Miaoli Area from the Ching Dynasty until present times. KuanTi is a Chinese deity (originally mortal) revered by both officials and private citizens and employed over the past few hundred years to promote the precepts of Confucianims. Faith in KuanTi has an extremely deep influence over the soul, life and personal morals of the Chinese people. The conquest of Taiwan by Koxinga (國姓爺), unleashed a flood of Chinese immigration to Taiwan, bringing the "KuanTi" to Taiwan where it sank deep roots which only strengthened over time. Local Chinese never lost their faith in KuanTi, even during the severe cultural repression experienced during 51 years of Japanese occupation. The extremely deep influence KuanTi held over daily life, an influence that reinforced Confucian ideals with every visit to the KuanTi Temple, enabled locals to maintain their cultural identity. Without the influence of KuanTi, and the dedication of his earlier follows to establish his faith in Taiwan, Chinese culture would have been overwhelmed during the occupation and Taiwan would have been left a perpetual slave to Japan.