Series Gallery
The Ritual of Welcoming the Deities
Description
This photo series documents the “Five-Year Thousand Lords” ritual in Tuku, Yunlin, Taiwan — a rare tradition where deities are welcomed back to the village every five years to bless the land and its people. The ceremony begins with the consecration of statues, using the blood of a white-feathered chicken to “open the eyes” of the gods, symbolizing the awakening of divine presence. Villagers gather in prayer, offering incense and devotion, continuing a centuries-old cycle of faith and gratitude.