Seafood deity statue faces off against spinning tops at Zhushan festival

A deity statue made from lobster, crab and other seafood is among the unusual sights at this year’s Dashiye Cultural Festival in Zhushan, Nantou County. The three-day event opened under the theme “Zhushan’s Good Gods” and runs through September 6.

The festival will culminate in the “Dashiye blessing and ascension to heaven” ceremony. Its program also includes a spinning-top competition, birthday celebrations, street performances, walking activities, singing and dance contests, artist performances and a raffle.

Zhushan Zhengjue Temple said it is dedicated to Guanyin and is the first branch manifestation officially recognized by the main temple in Minxiong, Chiayi County. Dashiye is regarded as Guanyin’s form during the seventh lunar month, taking on a stern and fearsome appearance to control wandering spirits and protect local peace.

The temple said the seafood statue is the first of its kind in Taiwan. By using food ingredients to create the religious figure, organizers are combining faith with contemporary culinary culture and presenting local folk traditions in a new form.

Nantou County Magistrate Hsu Shu-hua attended the opening and seating ceremony. She said the Zhushan Dashiye faith had become more than a religious ritual, serving as a force that brings the community together. She welcomed efforts to make the tradition visible to more people through cultural innovation.