Despite the ubiquity of temples in Taiwan and the palpable influence of “religion” in everyday life, most Taiwanese have only a surface-level understanding of the manifold gods that inhabit the heavenlies: Pray to Earth God for good fortune, to Baosheng Dadi for good health, to Yuelao for a good life partner… and so on. Island of a Thousand Deities is a modern guide to Taiwan’s gods, folk religions, and local culture that offers a path forward for gods and humans to find common ground and coexistence in the twenty-first century.
Taking both immortal and mortal perspectives, Island of a Thousand Deities relays down-to-earth stories that clarify the intricate web binding local tradition, history, culture, and society together. What is most touching is how this book conveys the hopes and dreams across centuries of political and social upheaval of those who call Taiwan home. Here, Taiwan’s gods, neither aloof nor all-powerful, are remarkably “human” – anxious about being forgotten, eager for plumes of incense smoke, and longing for heartfelt sentiment.