TFACnewsletter vol. 52

"Ceremony of Sixteen" (做16歲) is a local custom in Tainan for over 300 years. Among religions in

Taiwan, divinities that bless or protect young children are "Zhinü" (七娘媽/織女), "Zhusheng

Niangniang" (註生娘娘) and "Pojie" (婆姐/鳥母); in addition, these 3 divinities all have different duties.

Ever since the mother is pregnant until the child is born, children will grow up safely and be protected by

different tutelary divinities during each stage.

Adulthood rite in Taiwan is called the "Ceremony of Sixteen". When there are at least one adolescent boy Adulthood rite in Taiwan is called the "Ceremony of Sixteen". When there are at least one adolescent boy

or girl who reaches sixteen in a family, offerings and other things like "Sesame Oil Chicken" (麻油雞),

"Sticky Rice" (油飯), "Thin Noodles" (麵線), the "Four Fruits" (四果) and "Red Turtle Cake" (紅龜粿)

will need be provided at the day of July 7th in Lunar Calendar, for appreciating divinities' protections.

The meaning of "Ceremony of Sixteen" is to let children to understand that they are adult, and need to be

responsible to their words and deeds.

Over series of events are planned by Tainan City Government:

1. A special card from the mayor was designed and sent out by July 9th.1. A special card from the mayor was designed and sent out by July 9th.

2. On July 17th & 24th, "Ceremony of Sixteen - Etiquette Class" (做16歲科儀示範)

will be held at "Wude Hall" (武德殿) in "Jhongyi Elementary School" (忠義國小)

in Centual West Dist..

3. On July 30th & 31st, "Challenging the top mountain peak of Tainan -

Climbing Dadong Mountain, Camping and Picnicing" (挑戰臺南第一

高峰－大凍山登頂、露營及野炊活動) will be held at "Guanling Branch,

Siancao Elementary School" (Siancao Elementary School" (仙草國小關嶺分校) in Baihe Dist.

and "Dadong Mountain" (大凍山).

4. From August 1st to 5th, "Camping of Sixteen" (16歲少年營) will be held at

"Ten Drum Culture Village" (十鼓文化村) in Rende Dist..

Similar to the Cupid In Roman mythology, there’s Yuexialaoren (Yuelao for short, which means “The old man under the moon”) in Chinese folklore. Beingan old man with white goatee and blushed face. he’s a matchmaker inChinese folklore. He has a book which states thousandsof couples’ names. He uses “love strings” to connectpeople together, so that they will fall in love.

People go to the Yuelao Templepraying for the romance while they are having trouble finding their “Mr./Ms. Right.” In more than 10temples which have Yeulao statues, the following 4 are the most well-known ones in Tainan:

Tainan Grand Matsu(Mazu) Temple (祀典台南大天后宮)The Yuelao statue in this temple is the oldest in Tainan.

It’s rumored that this Yuelao is especially efficacious on match-hitching.Location: No.18, Ln.227, Sec.2, Yongfu Rd., West-Central Dist.

State Temple of the Martial God (Guangong) (祀典武廟) There’s the smallest Yuelao statue in Tainan. It’s rumored

that this Yuelao is especially efficacious on enhancing relationship between the prayer and his/her mate.Location: No.229, Sec.2, Yongfu Rd., West-Central Dist.

Chongcing Temple(重慶寺)It’s rumored that this Yuelao is also efficacious on making the prayers’ mate

to be faithful to them.Location: No.2, Ln.5, Jhongjheng Rd., West-Central Dist.

Grand Guanyin Pavilion Sing-ji Temple(大觀音亭)It’s rumored that you will soon get what you wish for (boyfriend/girlfriend)

if you come to this Yuelao temple.Location: No.86, Chenggong Rd., North Dist.

LESSON 7. THE PERSON I MET ON THE STREET, HOW CAN I CALL HIM/HER?

EverydayTaiwaneseEverydayTaiwanese

Living

朋友 means friends, but in this case, it is a way

to show the friendliness to strangers. It is equi

-valent to “amigo＂ and “buddy.＂

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever noticed that Taiwanese people use various titles to call

others, especially to the seniority? Calling the seniority with the proper

title is extremely important, it means that you have given respect to them.

In this lesson, let’s learn a few titles in case one day you want to surprise

your Taiwanese friends with your Taiwanese vocabulary.

Didyou know?

Tainan Foreigner

Assistance Center

2F, No. 6, Sec. 2, Yonghua Rd., Anping Dist., Tainan City

http://foreigner.tainan.gov.tw/en

1999 TFAC hotline

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