Ba Jia Jiang: Rituals of Zhen-Xuan Tang

Photographer

SHENG YUNG CHU

Category

People Photography - Culture

Company

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Taiwan

In the heart of Bei-Gang's traditional temple culture in Taiwan, the 'Eight Generals' (Ba Jia Jiang) serve as divine guardians. This photographic series captures the profound transformation of performers into deities through the intricate art of face-painting (Gou Lian). Each frame documents not only the exquisite craftsmanship of their attire but also the intense spiritual concentration required to embody these legendary figures. Beyond a mere performance, this series explores the persistence of ancestral folk rituals in contemporary Bei-Gang, freezing in time the raw, divine energy that bridges the gap between the earthly and the sacred.