aeeble

Donglong Temple, Chaolong Temple, and Fu'an Temple are the three famous temple complexes in Donggang, each venerating distinct principal deities. Among them, Lord Wen of Donglong Temple holds a central place in the spiritual lives of the people of Donggang and is deeply interwoven with the cultural traditions and customs of the town. The deity commonly known as "Qianwei King," or "King of Ten Thousand Years," has varied legends surrounding his origins. One prevailing belief holds that during the reign of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, a man named Wen Hong heroically rescued the emperor, only to later perish at sea—an event that led to his posthumous veneration as a deity. According to custom, Wen Hong is worshipped by the people as either a sea god or a deity responsible for plague. After being officially bestowed with the title of king by the Jade Emperor and bestowed his authority to "fly the heavens and inspect the earth," it is believed that Lord Wen returns to Donggang every three years, inspiring a grand ritual known as the "Donggang Welcoming King for Peace Ceremony." This event occurs once every three years and draws the full participation of the town's residents. With adherence to traditional methods, they meticulously construct and decorate the ceremonial "King's Boat (Wangchuan)" and hold various rituals throughout the occasion. Lasting eight days, the festival includes key phases—welcoming the spirit of King Wen, processions through the town, grand banquets for the deity, and finally, the ceremony of "returning the spirit." During the eight-day event, the entire town is filled with solemn rituals, lively performances, deafening firecrackers, and devout worshippers offering their reverence. Visitors traveling to Donggang during the "Donggang Welcoming King for Peace" ceremony are encouraged to stay and witness this vibrant celebration. It is a profound opportunity to experience the local people's reverence toward Lord Wen and to immerse oneself in the cultural enthusiasm unique to this region. The principal deity of Donglong Temple in Donggang is Lord Wen (Wen Wang), whose given name is Wen Hong, and who lived during the Sui Dynasty. He was born in Baoma Alley, Licheng County, Jinan Prefecture, Shandong. During the Tang era of Emperor Taizong, as the emperor embarked on a covert journey, he found himself in danger and was saved from death by Wen Hong, whose act of bravery was recognized with the highest honor—being granted the status of scholar-official (jinshi). At that time, 36 companions also rescued the emperor and were similarly honored with the title of jinshi. The bandit troubles had become widespread in neighboring regions at this time, and the 36 jinshi were given command over elite troops for the purpose of pacifying the region. With remarkable skill in military strategy, Wen Hong led his forces directly into the bandits' stronghold; their rebellion was quickly quelled, and the people once again experienced peace under his leadership. After successfully concluding his military campaign, Wen Hong returned to court for imperial reward. The emperor, recognizing his contributions, conferred on him the title of "Lord." At that time, the 36 jinshi set out on a mission across the empire to spread the virtues of the Tang Dynasty. In one instance, while returning from a voyage at sea, the group was tragically caught in a maritime disaster and perished in the incident. Upon hearing of the event, Emperor Taizong was overwhelmed by the loss of his esteemed ministers while also placing trust in the notion of their ascension to divinity. He decreed that they be posthumously recognized as divine beings with the official title "Deputy of Heaven's Inspection," ordered the construction of temples in their honor, and specified that offerings must be made twice yearly. Further, he established the grand ship called the "Lord Wen's Boat," within which resided not only the spiritual presence of Lord Wen but also that of his sworn brothers. Upon the completion of rituals marking their return to the sea, the ship would be launched with a final send-off by the local people. The imperial edict inscribed on the Lord Wen's Boat with eight characters read: "Wherever the King's Ship sails, the people prepare feasts." This imperial decree mandated that wherever the ship arrived, local officials and residents must jointly offer sacrifices such as pigs and sheep for the spirit of Lord Wen as he journeys through the heavens. (Text and photo provided by: Donglong Temple)