探析臺灣民間信仰中童子圖像的運用與信仰功能 - 以艋舺龍山寺持蓮童子為中心=Analyzing the Application and Belief Function of Boy Images in Taiwan's Folk Beliefs-Centering on the boy holding the lotus in Mengjia Longshan Temple
In human civilization, the image of the boy is a long-standing existence that can be seen everywhere but easily overlooked. In particular, the image of the boy in China is visible in Buddhist culture. Later, with the evolution of the style of the times, the using of various types of images crossed religious sacredness and custom art has been produced. The various images of boys in Taiwan's folk beliefs are not only inherited the meaning of traditional symbols, but also the mostly supporting roles or decorative functions, exuding unattended brilliance in folk beliefs. After extensive analysis and combing of the images of boys in Taiwan’s folk beliefs, we discovered that these images of boys are affected by many factors such as sacrificial rank, legendary shaping, master-slave association, spatial configuration which created their uniqueness and variability in the belief function and form. On the other hand, the image of the boy also has the non-sacrificial decorative application function in each belief space, and shows a diverse and rich style in the subjects like subject and subsidiary. Among them, the statue of the boy holding the lotus, enshrined at Manga Longshan Temple, its shape and image symbols contain the traditional belief of praying for children and blessing them or the auspicious meaning. Also, through the comparison with other images of boys and beliefs within Taiwan's folk beliefs, it can be deduced that it is originally the type of an accessory-shaped boy. In addition, its form of worship is also strengthened the belief function which showed its image symbols. It proves the relevance of the image context, symbol form and belief function between the lotus flower and the boy. Through the research of this article, it can be found that the images of boys in Taiwanese folk beliefs have the given impression of the existing Chinese traditional culture. However, various emerging functions and multiple forms have been produced owing to the influence and development of Taiwan's regional culture, historical background, and social concepts in the recent decades’ images and beliefs of children. It is reflected that the independent ontology of children is noticed gradually. In addition to the traditional causes of beliefs such as nature worship and character worship, a characteristic worship that takes children's personality and appearance impressions as their belief functions is created. These mentioned factors make the belief in images of boys in Taiwan have embarked on a vigorous route within the existing conceptual framework.
