The array of objects offered at traditional religious sacrifices is dazzling in variety: from fresh flowers, fruit, cookies, and canned goods to the richest and costliest delicacies, all are commonly seen items.
Most importantly, the offerings must be "beautified" to express honor and respect, a requirement which has resulted in the production of foods specially used for worship, such as dough figurines and imitation fruits made of rice or flour.
The form and contents of religious offerings made in various parts of the country would surely be an excellent subject for study by folklorists. At the same time, they also reflect some of the special characteristics of folk art.
Shown here is an offering that was displayed two years ago at Anting Village in Tainan County. The shape of the offering is called the "Sung Chiang formation."
Sung Chiang refers to one of the 108 heroes described in the classic novel Shui-hu chuan or Outlaws of the Marsh. His formation, with its martial spirit, has become a symbol of hometown solidarity and a part of traditional folkways.
Surprisingly, the spirited Sung Chiang formation shown here has been cleverly created by arranging over 100 roosters, thereby enlivening a solemn spiritual ceremony with a touch of humor.
Furthermore, the Han-shih wai-chuan, or Han's Commentary [on the Book of Songs], records that the rooster possesses five virtues: "Cultured for the crest on its head; martial for the spurs on its legs; brave for advancing on the enemy in front of it; considerate for telling others when it has found food; and trustworthy for punctually keeping watch through the night." So using roosters to create a Sung Chiang formation is surely not inappropriate!
A sacrificial offering like this one, I believe, can be seen in no other part of the world. It would hardly be going too far to say that it displays the humorous side of the Chinese people's aesthetic sense.
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