Tainan Confucius Temple: The Premier Academy of Taiwan, a Century of Unyielding Scholarly Tradition
| The First Confucius Temple in Taiwan is in Tainan
In the nineteenth year of the Yongli era (1665 AD), under the rule of Zheng Chenggong's son, Zheng Jing, with the help of military advisor Chen Yonghua, who was keen on vigorous governance, it was proposed: "Select a location to establish a sacred temple and school to attract talents; for a country with virtuous individuals firmly establishes its foundation, and thus its destiny shall prosper daily."
Zheng Jing approved the proposal, and thus the Confucius Temple was established in Chengtian Prefecture (now Tainan City) to honor Confucius and promote national education and moral transformation.
For over three hundred years, the majestic temple and grand academy have symbolized the transmission of Chinese culture, the aromatic offerings of Zu and Dou, and have earned the reputation of "Zou Lu by the Sea."
▲ The Premier Academy of Taiwan
| The Premier Academy - Dacheng Archway
The name "Dacheng Archway" derives from Confucius' honorary title "Dacheng Zhi Sheng Xian Shi", praising his saintly virtues.
The archway is a gateway structure, with a cross-shaped load-bearing wall enhancing stability, and six flying eaves at the top supported by brackets, holding up a Xieshan-style roof. The archway prominently displays the plaque "The Premier Academy of Taiwan", echoing the prestige of Taiwan's first Confucius Temple.
To the left of the Dacheng Archway, a "Dismounting Stele" welcomes visitors. The wall enclosing the temple is painted red, embodying the Zhou dynasty's reverence for the color red, used in the ceremonial garments and architecture of the time, which is reflected in the temple's walls.
▲ Dismounting Stele
The high wall, also known as the "Palace Wall", originates from a Confucian anecdote in the "Analects": Zi Gong used the metaphor of a "palace wall" for self-cultivation, where his own wall was shoulder height but Confucius' wall was several ren high, with one ren being seven feet, signifying towering moral and scholarly stature. Subsequent generations further revered Confucius' teachings and morals as "walls of a thousand ren", solidifying the custom of the high walls in Confucian temples.
Through the stone archway and the towering palace walls, one enters the East Dacheng Archway to glimpse the beauty within.
The aria is airy and bright, with towering ancient trees, and the renown of "Apricot Altar Summer Shade" naturally spreads. The site once housed government offices and a land temple, which were later abandoned and now house a "Cultural Relics Exhibition Room" with an adjacent custodian's office.
▲ Dacheng Hall
| Left School, Right Temple - Layout of Confucius Temple
The Confucius Temple, also known as the "Temple of Literature" or "Temple of the First Teacher",
is a traditional courtyard building with three sections and two wings, developed according to the "Left School, Right Temple," "Front Hall, Back Hall" layout.
Over time, many structures were destroyed due to natural disasters or wars, such as the Zhu Zi Shrine, Lingxing Gate, Teaching Mansion, and Academic Office, leaving only empty plots.
What is seen today largely maintains the Qing dynasty style and regulations after renovations during the Japanese Taisho era (1917 AD), representing the first and most iconic traditional Minnan-style architecture in Taiwan.
| Ming Lun Hall
"Left School" refers to Ming Lun Hall, located to the left of the Grand Hall of the Confucius Temple, which was the site of the Taiwan Prefecture School. In the past, students here received supervision and education from the prefectural school's instructors, focusing on cultivating virtues and discussing policies.
The horizontal inscriptions on the three gates of Ming Lun Hall read "Gate of Entering Virtue," "Saintly Realm," and "Gate of the Virtuous," inspiring students to aspire to Confucian ideals of moral cultivation and sainthood through spatial symbolism.
▲ Ming Lun Hall
| Dacheng Gate and Dacheng Hall
Among the architectural complex of the Confucius Temple, the Dacheng Gate is the most ornate. The pillars bear no couplets, to avoid the criticism of "flaunting one's literary skills in front of Confucius."
Each door panel is adorned with one hundred and eight door nails, as 'nine' represents the ultimate yang number, hence its multiple signifies the temple's dignified respect and imperial honors.
At each end of the main ridge of Dacheng Hall stand "Sutra Columns"; also known as "Pillars that Reach to the Heavens", symbolizing Confucius' virtues as aligned with heaven and earth, and his teachings spanning across time.
The hall features a double-eaved roof with eight bells at the corners, implying that the heavens regard Confucius as a wooden bell to awaken the world.
In front of the hall is a terrace where the Six Yi Dance is performed during the Confucius ceremony. Stone-carved "water-dispersing chi heads" are embedded at the corners of the terrace's base, serving as water outlets for the terrace and the surrounding corridors; resembling dragon heads, they are also called "Ao heads", expressing aspirations for exclusive success and the metaphor of "blessings extending in all directions."
"East and West Wings" are located to the left and right of Dacheng Hall, housing the Repository of Ritual Instruments and Repository of Musical Instruments, respectively. The back hall was originally called "Qi Sheng Shrine", mainly honoring Confucius' father, Shuliang He. The left room is "Yi Cheng Academy", responsible for spring and autumn Confucius sacrifices, and the right room was originally the "Scripture Room". The back hall ends at the "Right Temple", and via the gallery, one can circle back to the "Left School".
▲ Dacheng Gate
| Wen Chang Pavilion
Wen Chang Pavilion, also known as "Kui Xing Tower", is located to the left rear of Ming Lun Hall and is the only tower-like structure in the architectural complex of the Confucius Temple.
▲ Wen Chang Pavilion
| Pan Palace Stone Arch
The words "Pan Palace" symbolize the location of an academic institution. After passing the county examination, students enter the academy, known as "Pan Palace", and expressions like "entering Pan", "roaming in Pan", "picking celery", or "wandering in Pan waters" all indicate the commencement of academic studies.
The "Pan Palace Stone Arch" was originally the outermost entrance of the Tainan Confucius Temple. During the Japanese occupation, due to the construction of Nanmen Road, it was moved eastward. It now faces the "Premier Academy" Dacheng Archway across Nanmen Road.
▲ Pan Palace Stone Arch
