NCFTA Wenchang Temple is the very first temple constructed by a government agency: the Council for Cultural Affairs, Executive Yuan(predecessor of Ministry of Culture). The temple is dedicated to Wenchang Dijun (Emperor Wenchang) and Five Immortal Sovereignties, hoping that they bless Taiwan with cultural and art talents as they are the guardians of scholars and students. Accompanying deities of theater: Lord Xi-Qin, Marshal Tiandu, and Lord Meng-Fu; deities of crafts: Master Luban, Master Lu, and Master Lotus Leaf. The two main categories of traditional Taiwanese arts are crafts and theater, and by worshiping the patron gods of theater and crafts, the temple hopes to preserve and pass down cultural heritages.

(1) Wenchang Dijun’s Birthday Celebration

The NCFTA Wenchang Temple is the religious center of the park’s mock-traditional settlement. The temple is dedicated to Wenchang Dijun, who is in charge of examination, career, fame, and fortune, of students. His birthday is on the third day of the second month in the Lunar calendar, and every year, the park holds a celebrative ceremony, as well as festive activities such as offerings and performances, fulfilling the educational purpose and passing down traditional culture through traditional rituals and ceremonies, and promotional activities.

(2) Carpenter Patriarch Master Luban’s Birthday Celebration

Carpenter Patriarch Master Luban’s birthday is on the seventh day of the fifth month in the Lunar calendar. The ritual commemorating Lu Ban also embodies the ethics of the master-pupil relationship and inheritance of crafts of traditional craftsmanship.

(3) Theater Patriarch Lord Xi-Qin’s Birthday Celebration

Lord Xi-Qin’s birthday is on the 24th day of the sixth month in the Lunar calendar. Each year, the park organizes a celebrative ceremony and makes three offerings. The ritual also features the “Patriarch Rice Offering” ceremony; according to Taiwanese proverb, “Patriarch rice is sticky,” which means that once a person enters a profession, he or she must make it acareer; especially traditional theater, which demands lifelong dedication—it is as sticky as sticky rice, and you are stuck for the rest of your life. As for “rice” of the Patriarch, it also means that these professionals put “food” on the table because of the skills passed down by the Patriarch, and they also ask the Patriarch for blessings. Furthermore, “patriarch rice” can be further elaborated to mean that once a person learns about these traditional professions, even when he or she does enter the professions, they are aspired and shall jointly promote traditional theater.

(4) Chungyuan Pu-Tu Ghost Salvation Ceremony

The 15th day of the seventh month in the Lunar calendar is an important folk festival of Taiwan’s diverse religions. Traditional Confucian thinking values ancestral worshipping, and Chungyuan Festival is when people remember their ancestors. Buddhist believers celebrate the “Ullambana Feast,” whereas the Taoists celebrate the birthday of the Lord Emperor of the Earthly Realm. Therefore, all three traditional religions celebrate Chungyuan Festival. The seventh month in the Lunar calendar is known as the “Ghost Month,” and according to traditions, the hell’s gate opens from the first day of the month to the 29th day of the month. During this time, people pray for good luck and protection from bad spirits, and ceremonies are held everywhere; the ceremonies peak on Chungyuan Festival, which is the 15th day of the seventh month in the Lunar calendar.