英文摘要
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Located in Beimen, Tainan, and often referred to as the "Wang Ye Main Temple", Nankunjuan Temple has been a famous temple in Taiwan since the Mid-Qing Dynasty. Drawing primarily on the analysis and interpretation of folk legends, this essay points out the four reasons why this temple flourishes: 1) The geographical position of Nankunjuan and Daofeng Inland Sea, coupled with the arrival of the five Wang Ye who drifted there aboard their boat, gives its incense a "spread-out" quality, allowing it to drift outwards freely; 2) By patrolling on behalf of the Jade Emperor, the five Wang Ye carry out a "normalizing" transformation, not only avoiding the suppression of this "licentious cult" by the authorities, but also increasing the number of believers, as well as acquiring the support of officials; 3)Throughout the five Wang Ye's regular patrols to Fucheng, Yanshui, Madou, and even Penghu, the display of miraculous events and the alliances created among various temples, deities, and residents quickens the expansion of faith; 4)The five Wang Ye possess the qualities of "devil deities"; their characteristic efficaciousness, lower godly rank, and their freedom from restraint are all in line with Taiwan's own social marginality. These qualities help attract large numbers of common folk, making the temple more prosperous.
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