The head flag was released at the Gongtian Temple in Baishatun, announcing the official opening of this year's walking pilgrimage.
(Photographed by reporter Cai Zhengmin)
[Reporter Cai Zhengmin/Miaoli Report] Mazu Po of Gongtian Palace in Baishatun, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County will go south on foot to Yunlin Beigang Chaotian Temple to offer incense. She will leave in the early morning of the 12th. The temple will follow the usual practice at 11:40 in the middle of the night on the 8th, 3 days before the pilgrimage. The ceremony of "Leaving the Head Flag" was held separately, announcing the official opening of this year's walking pilgrimage.
The Gongtian Temple walks about 400 kilometers back and forth. It is an important folk custom in the country, and it is also a religious event that many believers pay attention to. In recent years, the number of applicants has repeatedly hit new highs.
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The management committee of Gongtian Palace and the furnace master on duty will lead the believers to hold a stick of incense in the evening to pray devoutly. After the head flag is drawn out, it will be handed over to the members of the head flag group who offer incense and hold the head flag, and hang it on the dragon pillar at the gate of Gongtian Palace for the believers to pay homage to , declaring the official start of the Mazu pilgrimage.
The square head flag is more than 200 centimeters high. The flag is embroidered with the words Shuanglong and Baishatun Gongtiangong Heavenly Virgin. Its shape is symbolized by the ancient Fangtian painted halberd. The function of avoiding evil.
According to a century-old custom, Gongtiangong Temple will hold a flag-raising ceremony three days before offering incense, and then believers will follow the usual practice and start a three-day bathing and fasting.
Local believers will also "open the flag and reward the army". They will prepare rich offerings and pilgrimage flags, go to Gongtian Palace to worship, reward the soldiers and horses preparing for the southern tour, and pray for the safety and smoothness of the pilgrimage.
Baishatun Gongtian Temple puts the head flag, and the pink supercar runs into incense to kick off (photo by reporter Cai Zhengmin)