City God (Cheng Huang)

City God worship originated as ancient reverence for moats and city walls. Over time, the deity evolved from an abstract nature spirit to a personified god, with each city choosing a beloved historical figure to serve as their City God.

During the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, a severe plague struck Taipei's Dadaocheng district. Residents paraded the Xiahai City God through the streets, and the plague reportedly subsided soon after, cementing the temple's importance.

The most famous folk tale involves the City God's underlings: the 7th Lord (Xie Bi-an) and 8th Lord (Fan Wu-jiu). The two were close friends who agreed to meet under a bridge. When a sudden flood came, the tall 7th Lord survived but the short 8th Lord drowned. Grief-stricken, the 7th Lord hanged himself at the bridge. Their loyalty moved heaven, and they were appointed as the City God's generals — which is why the 7th Lord is depicted as tall and pale with a protruding tongue, while the 8th Lord is short and dark-faced.

Offerings include the three sacrifices, five fruits, tea, wine, and spirit money. During the City God's processional patrols, residents set up incense altars along the route. His birthday on the 13th of the 5th lunar month features nighttime inspection parades and grand processions.

The City God's birthday on the 13th of the 5th lunar month is the most important festival. Taipei Xiahai's procession has over a century of history, while Hsinchu's combines elaborate parades with its century-old night market food culture.