Articles by Doug Nienhuis
I am a Canadian, and I am currently traveling through Asia with a touring bicycle. These are stories and pictures from my trip.
Photo Post: Blue Sky Temple Ceiling
I was quite taken with this blue sky and cloud-filled ceiling at this temple. You see lots of bright colors at temples in Taiwan, but I don’t think I’ve seen blue very often. I’m fairly certain that is a statue of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion and mercy, in the temple. On the plate on the table are small wooden objects used in fortune telling. …
Photo Post: Censer
Just as I can’t resist taking pictures of the guardian lions at temples, I also can’t resist taking pictures of the censers. This one was taken looking through the censer in toward the temple and the ceiling. I like the large sticks of incense one often finds in the middle. I’m not sure how much more they cost than the smaller sticks. In fact, I …
Photo Post: Temple Statue
I don’t know who this figure is, but I’m curious to find out. The statue was at a temple on Route 106 between Taipei and Pingxi. The temple appeared to be dedicated to gods of wealth and fortune, so I assume this fellow has something to do with money. The fact that he is painted all in yellow gold seems to support that idea.
Kishu An Forest of Literature in Taipei
This building is part of the Kishu An Forest of Literature in Taipei. It’s a space where literature lovers can hang out, drink coffee, meet authors, and participate in literature-related events. It’s located on Tongan Street down by the river. Take exit 2 out of Guting MRT station and then walk down Tongan Street to nearly the very end.
According to what I’ve read online, the …
Photo Post: Guardian Lion
I can never resist taking a picture of a guardian lion at a temple here in Taiwan. There are generally (always?) two such lions – one male and one female. The male often has a ball underneath its right paw. The ball can represent the world. The female has a lion cub on its back underneath its left paw. I understand that the male often …
Photo Post: Ghost Money Furnace
I spotted this ghost money furnace at a temple on Route 106 between Taipei and Pingxi. From a distance, I didn’t even realize it was a furnace. I’d never seen one quite this large before. As far as I know, it only had that one little door on one side, so I’m not sure why it had to be so large. The objects around the …
Photo Post: Temple Water Fountain
Water fountains are a common feature of temples in Taiwan. This fountain at a temple on Route 106 between Taipei and Pingxi features decorations symbolizing money.
Photo Post: Ornate Temple in Taiwan
Temples in Taiwan can be very ornate, and this temple on Route 106 between Taipei and Pingxi is a good example of that.