The Temple of the Five Concubines

 Address:Geographical location : No.201, Wufei St., West Central Dist., Tainan City Longitude : 120.204983140374, Latitude : 22.9819492158294
 Subject:AssetClassification : Historic Monument, AssetsLevel : National Historic Monument, Asset Type : Temple

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【Introduction】

The Temple of the Five Concubines is a mausoleum built in commemoration of Ming Prince Zhu Shugui ’s five concubines who committed suicide after the fallof the prince’s kingdom. They are Lady Yuan, Lady Wang, Xiugu, Sister Mei and Sister He. In 1683, the Qing naval commander, Shilang, ordered an attack on Taiwan. The defending troops, led by Zheng Keshuang, lost the battles and surrendered. Rather than be disgraced, the prince chose to commit suicide and ordered his five concubines to leave the court and seek a new life. Upon hearing this, his ladies wept and expressed a strong will to die rather than live in disgrace. They hung themselves and the prince prepared mortuary services for their interred corpses. After bidding farewell to the officials and General Zheng Keshuang, he also hung himself. His close servants also followed him to death when he died. The mausoleum was originally named the Temple of the Five Noble Ladies. At first, it was not a conventional tomb and no trees were planted in the areas surrounding it. In 1746, the Commander of Coastal Defense, Fang Bang-ji received a court order to refurbish it. A temple was then built in front of the crypt and offerings were made to the deceased. It was at this time the temple earned the name, the Temple of the Five Concubines. The temple is a single-hall building with rooms on both sides. The statues of the five noble women are worshipped in the main hall. In front of the tomb is a plaque that reads “The Tomb of Prince Zhu’s Five Concubines”. At the entrance of main hall, a four-pillar pavilion for worship stands. A one-door shrine which honors the loyal servants is located to the right of the temple proper. Though small, its presence conveys a profound significance.

 

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