Come to the little-known Agate Temple and appreciate the history of Taiwanese craftsmanship

Agate Temple, formerly known as 'Agate Baosheng Temple,' was founded by the King of Wuyue during the Five Dynasties period in the third year of the Later Jin Kaiyun era (946 AD). It was originally located on Agate Slope in Solitary Hill. In 1152 AD (the 22nd year of the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty), due to the construction of the imperial 'Four Saints Yanxiang Temple' on Solitary Hill, Agate Temple was relocated to its current site at Ge Ridge. During the Wanli period, Agate Temple was converted into Ziyang Academy, and later, historian Lian Heng once lived there. Today, the Lian Heng Memorial Hall has become a 'treasure trove' for understanding Taiwanese cultural history. The rush weaving craft in Taiwan has a history of 295 years, and the Yuanli Dragon Beard Mat is a top-quality product for tribute, gifts, and export. Taiwanese temples are the places where traditional Taiwanese woodcarving works are best preserved. The homophonic 'Chi Tiger' and 'Blessing and Prosperity' are considered to have the meanings of warding off evil and bringing good fortune. Multiple pairs of Chi Tigers (Kuilong) form an incense burner shape and are used as decorations for temple window lattices. The Chaozhou school likes to carve the Douzuo into the shape of lions. Due to the flourishing religious activities, places like Lukang in Changhua and Beigang in Yunlin became early centers of woodcarving craftsmanship. The history of bamboo-framed paper lanterns in Lukang, Changhua is long, with most forms being Quanzhou-style lanterns with fixed frames. Hsinchu City is famous for its retractable Fuzhou-style umbrella lanterns, which are often used to write surnames and are also known as surname lanterns. Wanhua in Taipei is renowned for its flower lanterns. Meinong oil-paper umbrellas originated over a hundred years ago, brought by Hakka immigrants from Meixian, Guangdong. Indigo dyeing in Taiwan began in the late 18th century. The indigo plant, used as a dye, was an early economic crop. Sanxia, suitable for the growth of the indigo plant, and Meinong, suitable for the growth of the small indigo plant, are the most representative indigo dyeing industries in Taiwan. Jin Xing Hang is the only existing traditional shop in Taiwan that makes Hakka blue shirts.