As the "gods" patrol around during the various temple festivals in Taiwan, they will frequently have a troupe of "guards" alongside them. The formations of these guards are many and varied, but among the most common are the lion troupe, the Song Jiang troupe, and the centipede troupe. Tradition in southern Taiwan has it that if a woman or child can weave their way through the marching troupe, they will be blessed with good luck and safety from danger.
The centipede troupe consists of 18, 36, or 72 wooden carts linked together, with the centipede's head placed on the front cart. It then proceeds to weave its way through the streets. Interestingly, the characters dressed up in costume that ride on the centipede are children aged around seven to 11, and the monotonous weaving of the troupe is enough to send some of the children to sleep, causing a momentary hassle for the adults walking alongside them. However, the innocent faces of the children also bring passers-by to a halt, bringing a smile to their faces.
