As early summer approaches, the vibrant lanes of Dadaocheng's Dihua Street come alive with historic shopfronts and bustling crowds. Approaching six decades of heritage, Hsin Tung Yang remains dedicated not only to preserving classic flavors but also to championing cultural continuity. Marking the 206th anniversary of the Xia-Hai City God’s arrival in Taiwan, Dadaocheng’s premier spiritual celebration—the "2026 Taipei Xia-Hai City God Cultural Festival: City God Birthday Festival"—is set to commence. Celebrating the birthday of the community's revered guardian, local tradition includes the vow-fulfilling custom of presenting ceremonial robes (Xian Shen Yi). In recent years, the temple has invited master craftspeople to dedicate their artistry. This year, while carrying forward historical flavors, Hsin Tung Yang serves as a cultural patron, fully supporting local artisans in their creative endeavors.

The Intersection of Contemporary Fashion Design and Historic District Craftsmanship

The textile trade was historically one of Dadaocheng's four pillar industries and a foundational cradle for Taipei’s fashion and garment ecosystem. In recent years, the Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple has continually promoted the cultural reinterpretation of traditional beliefs. For this landmark sacred robe, the temple commissioned designer Li Yu-sheng of Sheng Wang Studio—a Golden Bell Award-winning art director with over two decades of theatrical costume design experience deeply rooted in the local textile community. In this creation, Master Li utilized genuine metallic thread hand embroidery to intertwine Dadaocheng's maritime and terrestrial transport heritage with native Taiwanese ecology. Incorporating the lighting concept from his renowned "Electric Divine Generals" series, the design highlights an integrated illumination system, successfully crafting a new birthday ceremonial robe titled "Twin Guardians of Daojiang and Taiwan" that bridges traditional mastery with modern vitality.

Design Concepts of the 2026 Sacred Robe "Twin Guardians of Daojiang and Taiwan"

Rooted in Dadaocheng’s history and divine guardianship over the land, the new ceremonial robe translates the district’s rich heritage into intricate design details:

• Dual-Layer Translucent Robes and Ceremonial Cap: Comprising complementary outer and inner translucent layers alongside a ceremonial cap, the design evokes a divine perspective while integrating the natural mountain-and-sea landscapes of northern Taiwan.

Central Axis Design—Traditional Junk Ship and the Teng-Yun Locomotive: The central front and back axes transform Dadaocheng's historical transport milestones into decorative motifs. The front features a traditional junk ship complete with painted protective eyes symbolizing maritime commerce, while the back depicts the locomotive of the Teng-Yun, Taiwan's first steam train, honoring Dadaocheng’s role as the terminus of the first-generation Taipei Railway Station. The rising steam artfully transforms into the official emblem of the Taipei Xia-Hai City God Temple.

The Five Camps Paired with Taiwan's Endemic Birds: Connecting the five military camps that protect the deity's jurisdiction with Taiwan’s native biodiversity, the five symbolic camp colors correspond to five native avian species:

• East Camp: Whistling Green Pigeon

• South Camp: Maroon Oriole

• West Camp: Taiwan Grass Owl

• North Camp: Taiwan Whistling Thrush

• Central Camp: Yellow Tit

Dragon and Tiger Plackets: The left and right plackets feature raised reliefs of Generals Xie and Fan (the Seventh and Eighth Lords) holding native Taiwan lilies (Lilium formosanum), symbolizing divine watchfulness over Taiwan's modern history and the pioneering spirit of early settlers.

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• Ceremonial Sword Stoles with Calligraphy Inscriptions: Resembling formal neckties, the ceremonial sword sashes are embroidered with original calligraphy handwritten by Temple Manager Chen Wen-wen:

  • Left Couplet: Rosy clouds and iridescent hues usher purple mist from the east to fortify the golden city.

  • Right Couplet: Tranquil seas and clear rivers look west toward the Jasper Pool, reflecting the sheltering City God.

Illuminating Contemporary Heritage with Hsin Tung Yang

When tradition meets contemporary design, every thread and metallic fiber carries profound reverence for the land. As you explore Dadaocheng this early summer to take part in the Birthday Festival, we welcome you to visit the Hsin Tung Yang Dihua Store. Select from popular specialties—including crispy pork jerky, pineapple cakes, pork floss egg rolls, original milk nougat crackers, and pork floss sesame cheese rolls—to present as offerings to the deities or share with loved ones as meaningful souvenirs blending traditional flavor with local spirit.