In yesterday's post, we explored the historical charm of Taipei's Bopiliao Historic Block to spot architectural and symbolic inspirations. Now, let's continue our exploration within the Wanhua District by strolling down Kangding Road.
Taipei is a city of stark contrasts, where the juxtaposition of old and new buildings can be witnessed along the same street.
Yet, another striking dichotomy often emerges – the harmonious coexistence of modern architecture and venerable temples. One such temple, Bangka Jiyi Temple, stands as a great example of this juxtaposition.
Nestled amidst contemporary and older buildings, it boasts an intriguing presence. Not far from the temple, a tall modern building graces the skyline, forming a striking contrast with the temple's traditional aesthetics.
Though less renowned than some of its counterparts that we may explore in future posts, this Taoist temple does not lack in opulence. It is lavishly decorated with intricate and vibrant artwork, including carvings and sculptures that enrich various components of its architecture, such as the roofs, pillars and swallowtail eaves.
The temple's roofs, in particular, feature mythical creatures such as dragons and other guardian figures, legendary characters, and natural elements. These intricate adornments convey profound symbolism, representing values such as loyalty, filial piety, benevolence, and the enduring battle against evil while ushering in good fortune. A trinity of three gods presides indeed the top of the temple, symbolizing fortune, prosperity, and longevity.
Notably, many of these ornate elements on the roof are crafted using "jian nian," a mosaic sculpture technique that repurposes broken pieces of ceramic bowls and vases (note for fashion fans, make your own connections between this technique repurposing ceramic pieces and Margiela's broken ceramic waistcoat from the A/W 1989-90 collection View this photo).
This technique is often employed to create figurines, flowers, and animals; between the 1950s to the 1970s, when ceramic resources were scarce after the Japanese occupation, these pieces were crafted from colorful glass shards.
Moving inward, the temple's ceilings are equally remarkable, with intricately decorated and visually mesmerizing wooden beams and carvings. The latter frequently incorporate traditional patterns and symbols, reinforcing the temple's cultural and religious identity.
Also the carvings conjure a sense of sacredness and spirituality while the lanterns suspended from the ceilings serve not only as sources of illumination but also as symbols of enlightenment and spiritual awakening and the lion statues guard the entrance and protect the temple from evil spirits.
Even the less-known temples, therefore, tell through their architectural features and embellishments a story of devotion, dedication, patience, and exceptional artistry, qualities and driving forces behind the most remarkable achievements in any field (art and fashion included, obviously…).
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