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The
Zhao Family Palace in Zhangpu County was built some four centuries
ago.
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| Introduction-A Palace
Dedicated to a Philanthropic Doctor |
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Bound
feet, another legacy of the past.
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The 800-year-old Ciji Palace is an imposing
structure that towers over the Jiulong River in Baijiao Village
in Longhai County. Inside the temple is a statue of Wu Tao,
a Song-dynasty doctor greatly revered by the local people.
The palace was held in such high esteem by Zhangzhou natives
that those who followed Zheng Chengong (Koxinga) on his expedition
to Taiwan 300 years ago built a replica of the palace in the
city of Tainan, Every year on the 11th day of the third lunar
month, the day that Koxinga's army landed on Taiwan, the descendants
of his soldiers gather at the temple in Tainan and make offerings
to their ancestors, whose images are enshrined in the original
Ciji Palace across the Taiwan Straits.
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This
huge sword kept in the Zhao Family Palace's main hall
was handed down from the Song dynasty imperial family.
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Stories about the philanthropic doctor are
still very much alive on the lips of local people. One tale
tells of a time when the doctor, while on his rounds, stopped
over in Bianjing (present-day Kaifeng), then the capital
of the Song Dynasty. Emperor Renzong's (r.1023-1063) mother
happened to be suffering from a breast ailment, and Wu Tao was
summoned to the imperial palace. He cured the empress dowager,
and the emperor showed his gratitude by offering to make him
an imperial doctor. He turned down the offer and, when word
came that an epidemic disease was running rampant in his hometown,
he immediately left for home. |
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One
of a kind:a Zhang zhou crib.
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A recent face-lift to Ciji Palace has given
it an even grander appearance, with colourful decorations and
glazed rooftops. The front gate is supported by six stone pillars
with exquisitely carved winding dragons, said to be shipped
over from Taiwan during the Qing Dynasty.
Wu's birthday falls on the 15th day of the third lunar month.
On that day local people and visitors from overseas flock to
the palace for a ceremony to pay their respects to Doctor Wu
and ask for his blessings. For three days, the village roads
are crowded with people holding flags, dancing dragon dances
and beating gongs and drums. A huge stage is propped up in the
square in front of the palace to entertain the faithful with
round-the-clock performances. |
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