Abstract
This paper examines Taichung’s “Old Second Mazu’s Kin Visitation” as a model for urban cultural revitalization. This triennial ritual uniquely blends clan lineage, spiritual faith, and community ties, centered on Old Second Mazu, believed to be Liao Pin-niang of the local Liao family. The study highlights the ritual’s aesthetic richness and symbolic depth, focusing on the historical context and spiritual significance of the exclusive phoenix palanquins, which represent over two centuries of material cultural heritage. Through oral interviews, demographic data, and participatory observation, this research explores how the ritual enhances social cohesion, cultural resilience, and its potential for UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Comparative analysis with international cases and a discussion of UNESCO recognition risks are included. The paper proposes strategies to mitigate challenges like com modification and lack of inclusivity, emphasizing community-led tourism, educational integration, and digital preservation to ensure authenticity and sustainability.
Keywords
Cultural Heritage; Ritual Aesthetics; Spatio-temporal Geography; Urban Cultural Revitalization
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.857
Citation
Chen, Y.(2025) Urban Cultural Revitalization in Taichung: The Potential of Old Second Mazu's Kin Visitation, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.857
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 11 - Culture and Craft Design for Regenerative Practices
Urban Cultural Revitalization in Taichung: The Potential of Old Second Mazu's Kin Visitation
This paper examines Taichung’s “Old Second Mazu’s Kin Visitation” as a model for urban cultural revitalization. This triennial ritual uniquely blends clan lineage, spiritual faith, and community ties, centered on Old Second Mazu, believed to be Liao Pin-niang of the local Liao family. The study highlights the ritual’s aesthetic richness and symbolic depth, focusing on the historical context and spiritual significance of the exclusive phoenix palanquins, which represent over two centuries of material cultural heritage. Through oral interviews, demographic data, and participatory observation, this research explores how the ritual enhances social cohesion, cultural resilience, and its potential for UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Comparative analysis with international cases and a discussion of UNESCO recognition risks are included. The paper proposes strategies to mitigate challenges like com modification and lack of inclusivity, emphasizing community-led tourism, educational integration, and digital preservation to ensure authenticity and sustainability.