Kinmen National Park Headquarters’ “Searching for Wind Lion God” activity begins in 2009

The Wind Lion God is the protector god of the Kinmen area. In 2009 Kinmen National Park Headquarters is holding the "Searching for Wind Lion God" to allow people to acquire an in-depth understanding of Wind Lion God culture and also to pass on cultural relic preservation concepts. Everyone is invited to search for the Wind Lion God throughout 2009.

Kinmen is surrounded by sea and has no barriers protecting it from the seasonal northeasterly winds. In early days the people’s lives were blighted by sand and wind. The people erected Wind Lion God statues in villages all over Kinmen, praying to the Wind Lion God to control the wind and protect them from evil. Most of the statues are in the eastern half of the island. This religious totem, combining the power of a lion, the character of a god and the intelligence of a human, has many believers and is one of the most distinctive and important local cultural assets.

The park headquarters has placed rubbing stones at the side of 11 wind lion god statues. Rubbing paper can be purchased from the visitor center or exhibition hall and then visitors can search for the Wind Lion God rubbing stones. Visitors who make six or more wind lion god rubbings can exchange them for a souvenir.

Translated by：Kevin Lax
Source：Kinmen National Park Headquarters