不能錯過的台灣宗教文化活動,白沙屯媽祖進香。The unmissable religious and cultural event in Taiwan, the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage.
你好,我是Cindy,我是一名線上華語老師,每週我會跟你分享台灣重要的新聞或是有趣的文化,歡迎訂閱我的電子報! I'm Cindy. I am an online Mandarin teacher. Every week, I will share important news and interesting cultural insights from Taiwan with you.
本週關鍵字 (Keywords of the Week)
媽祖 (Māzǔ) - Mazu (Goddess of the Sea)
進香活動 (jìnxiāng huódòng) - Pilgrimage activity
神轎 (shénjiào) - Divine palanquin
信徒 (xìntú) - Believers, devotees
超跑 (chāopǎo) - Supercar
大家好,上次跟大家分享免費步行導覽,一個跟著導覽員認識城市的好方法。從3月18號開始,中台灣迎來了一年一度的宗教活動,白沙屯媽祖進香,今天要跟大家分享這個接近18萬人參加,不能錯過的台灣宗教文化活動,白沙屯媽祖進香。
白沙屯媽祖進香是什麼活動?
白沙屯媽祖已經有將近兩百年的歷史,每年會有兩尊媽祖一起共乘神轎,從苗栗出發,到雲林,來回將近四百公里的路線,總共九天八夜。媽祖對於台灣人而言就像是一個守護神,不管你有任何的煩惱,想要求平安健康或是錢財,都可以向媽祖祈求,也因此會看到有人帶著生病的家人到場,希望讓媽祖經過病人,保佑病人早點康復,台灣人也喜歡媽祖經過自己的家,或是跟著媽祖走進香的行程,走完會讓自己的生活更加順利。
為什麼白沙屯媽祖叫粉紅超跑?祂有什麼特別的地方?
白沙屯媽祖有個很特別的稱號叫「粉紅超跑」,第一個原因是因為他的神轎是粉紅色的,第二是因為他的路線並不是固定的,神轎有時移動的速度非常得快,跟超跑一樣。中台灣的另一個大甲媽祖進香活動,媽祖的路線是固定的,然而白沙屯媽祖卻很特別,他的路線是由「媽祖」本人自己設計的,根據抬轎的信徒表示,在行走的時候,媽祖會給他們指示,也就因為這樣,讓很多信徒更相信媽祖的「神威」。
如何參與這個活動?
如果想要全程參與這個活動,可以在活動前的一個月左右報名,報名的話可以獲得衣服、帽子和臂章,也有遊覽車跟著媽祖走,走累了可以在遊覽車上休息。沒有報名的人一樣可以參加這個進香活動,只要下載APP,就可以看到媽祖路線,任何時間都可以自由加入媽祖進香的活動。
我個人的看法
媽祖進香看起來雖然有點迷信,但不只是一般老百姓,台灣的正副總統,還有各大黨派的政治人物都紛紛在媽祖進香開始的第一天,特地到媽祖廟拜拜,從這邊也可以看出來媽祖對於台灣人民有多重要。我雖然沒參加過白沙屯媽祖的活動,但參加過大甲媽祖的進香活動,從進香活動中,真的會感受到台灣人特別的人情味,吃不完的食物,還有那宗教信仰帶來的團結力量。不管你有沒有宗教信仰,我都非常推薦可以來參加。
你會想參加這樣的活動嗎?在你的國家是否有類似的宗教活動呢?歡迎跟我分享!
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本週關鍵字 (Keywords of the Week)
媽祖 (Māzǔ) - Mazu (Goddess of the Sea)
進香活動 (jìnxiāng huódòng) - Pilgrimage activity
神轎 (shénjiào) - Divine palanquin
信徒 (xìntú) - Believers, devotees
超跑 (chāopǎo) - Supercar
Hello everyone, last time I shared with you a free walking tour, a great way to explore the city with a guide. Starting from March 18th, Central Taiwan welcomes its annual religious event, the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage. Today, I want to share with you the unmissable religious and cultural event in Taiwan, the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage, which attracts nearly 180,000 participants.
What is the Baishatun Mazu Pilgrimage?
Baishatun Mazu has a history of nearly two hundred years. Every year, two Mazu statues ride together on a divine palanquin, traveling from Miaoli to Yunlin and back, covering a route of nearly 400 kilometers over nine days and eight nights. Mazu is like a guardian deity to the Taiwanese people. Regardless of your troubles, whether you seek safety, health, or wealth, you can pray to Mazu. Therefore, you'll see people bringing their sick family members, hoping for Mazu's blessing to aid in their recovery. Taiwanese people also enjoy having Mazu pass by their homes or joining the pilgrimage, believing it will bring them smoother lives.
Why is Baishatun Mazu called the Pink Supercar? What makes it special?
Baishatun Mazu has the unique title of the "Pink Supercar" for two reasons. Firstly, its divine palanquin is pink, and secondly, its route is not fixed. Sometimes, the palanquin moves at very high speeds, much like a supercar. Unlike the pilgrimage of another Mazu in Central Taiwan, whose route is fixed, Baishatun Mazu's route is designed by "Mazu" herself. According to the believers carrying the palanquin, Mazu gives them instructions during the journey, further strengthening the faith in Mazu's divine power.
How to participate in this event?
If you want to participate fully in this event, you can register about a month before the event. Registrants receive clothing, hats, and armbands, and tour buses accompany Mazu, providing rest for those tired from walking. Those who haven't registered can still join the pilgrimage by downloading the app, where they can see Mazu's route and join the activity at any time.
My Personal Opinion
Although the Mazu Pilgrimage may seem somewhat superstitious, it's not just ordinary people who participate. Taiwan's president, vice president, and politicians from various parties all visit the Mazu temple on the first day of the pilgrimage to pay their respects. This demonstrates how important Mazu is to the Taiwanese people. Although I haven't participated in the Baishatun Mazu event, I have joined the pilgrimage of another Mazu in Dajia. From the pilgrimage, you can truly feel the unique warmth of the Taiwanese people, endless food, and the unity brought by religious beliefs. Regardless of whether you have religious beliefs, I highly recommend participating if you can.
Would you like to participate in such an event? Does your country have similar religious events? Feel free to share with me!
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