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Eastern Dragon Horse

2023-10-30
886-6-9216521
澎湖縣白沙鄉東方龍馬
Located on the eastern and western sides of the port of Jibe Island are the large bell bowls and wooden fish-shaped stone pagodas, which are not ordinary buildings but rather the so-called "Shih-kang-tang" (stone guardians) designed to protect the area. These structures are commonly referred to as the "East Bell and West Knock." Similar to the Fengshih grandfather (a traditional Kinmen cultural symbol) on Kinmen Island, the Shih-kang-tang in Penghu serve as unique cultural and religious symbols developed by coastal islanders. Due to the island’s being entirely surrounded by the sea, experiencing a six-month-long northeast monsoon in winter, and having poor soil unfavorable for agriculture, the region faced inherently harsh conditions. Combined with outbreaks of plagues in earlier times, the local people believed these were caused by evil forces. To pray for peace and safety, the Penghu Shih-kang-tang culture emerged. In forms such as pagodas, stone steles, or talismans, these structures were typically positioned around villages, by the sea, on hillsides, or at roadsides to serve as both a cultural feature and a central pillar of local life. The two Shih-kang-tang at Jibe Island’s harbor are said to have been built under the divine manifestation of Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who instructed elder villagers in a dream to construct them in order to protect residents and promote the prosperity of the area. Thus, in the eastern Longma (Dragon Horse) area of the port, a yellow stone stupa shaped like a bell bowl was erected, while a red wooden fish-shaped stone pagoda was built on the western side. Inscriptions on the rock walls beside the stone towers read, "East: Longma strengthens rivers and mountains," and "West: Sea clouds soar with the sun and moon," reflecting the spirit of Jibe. These two structures are directly aligned with the "evening drum and morning bell" of Guanyin Temple on the island, becoming significant cultural heritage of Jibe.
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