On this year's Qixi Festival, also known as Lunar Valentine's Day, many turn to deities for help to find their ideal partners. But at Tainan's Guiren Renshou Temple (仁壽宮), a stone statue of Yue Lao (月老), the Moon God of Matchmaking, commonly associated with connecting couples, has been mistaken by students as Confucius holding the classic "Analects" text. This confusion has led to some students fervently praying to the wrong deity.
One local says students from surrounding schools frequently visit the area and that she has witnessed them praying to the Moon God statue to ensure success in their exams. Another local says if he didn’t look at the figure carefully, he would also assume it was Confucius.
So, how can you tell the difference between the statues of the two gods?
The Moon God is portrayed holding the Yinyuan Bu (姻緣簿) or “marriage destiny book” in one hand, and a staff adorned with a red string in the other. In contrast, Confucius is depicted with his hands flatly pressed together, symbolizing his philosophical teachings.
In response to the mix-up, the nearby Bao Xi Dai Tian Fu Temple (保西代天府) in Tainan has introduced a new approach to Lunar Valentines Day prayers this year, offering visitors the opportunity to touch the Moon God's staff, which is believed to bring about sweetness and harmony in relationships.
So just remember, whether you're seeking love or academic success, make sure you’re asking in the right place for your blessings.