Animal Worship in the Minnan Region: A Cultural and Religious Overview

Animal Worship Origins

The roots of animal worship in the Minnan region trace back over 4,000 years to the totemic practices of the Minyue people. Revered animals included snakes, dogs, turtles, and celestial and natural entities such as the heavens, stars, tigers, and monkeys. These beliefs emerged from the ecological and cultural context of the region, blending natural reverence with religious practices.

1. Snake Worship

The reverence for snakes is deeply embedded in the culture of the Minnan region. In Shuowen Jiezi, Xu Shen noted that the Minyue people were considered descendants of snakes, reflecting the ancestral connection with this creature.

Cultural Significance

• Ancestral Identity: Early coastal inhabitants, such as the Paiwan and Lu-Kai people, regarded snakes as ancestors, particularly the hundred-step snake.
• Temples and Rituals: The Baiwangye Temple in Quanzhou features a white snake deity, colloquially known as "Chang Prince."
• Environment and Fear: Fujian's subtropical climate, with its prevalence of snakes, fostered both reverence and caution. People associated snakes with rain omens and divine power.

Artistic Depictions: Snake patterns are prominent in ancient pottery, Minnan architecture, traditional clothing, and ritual objects, often reflecting the symbolic role of snakes in local beliefs.Figure 1: Snake patterns on Paiwan tribal utensils' decorations (Taken from the Taipei Thirteen Indigenous Museum's 2008 "Paiwan Tribe Special Exhibition").

Figure 2: Highland tribe (Paiwan tribe) male and female attire (Photographed by Lin Ruihong)

2. Dog Worship

Dogs are revered in Minnan culture, symbolizing loyalty, protection, and mythological ancestry.

Mythological Roots

Many ethnic groups in southeastern China, including the Minyue, She, Li, Miao, and Yao, venerate Panhu, a mythical figure with a dog’s head and human body, as an ancestor.

Key Practices and Sites

• "White Dog" Temple in Quanzhou: Known locally as "Bai Gou" (White Dog), the temple worships a deity associated with a large white dog. Its name was later refined to "耇" (Gou), symbolizing longevity.
• Leizhou Influence: Migrants from Minnan brought dog worship to Leizhou, where rituals involving stone dog deities continue to be practiced. Villagers attribute protective and prophetic qualities to these deities, who are believed to warn of disasters by bleeding or emitting sounds.

Figure 3: The "White dog" temple, where "耇" (Gou) sounds similar to "狗" (Gou), signifies old age and longevity. This name also refers to the appearance of age spots on the face as people grow older.

3. Turtle Worship

The turtle, a symbol of longevity, stability, and prosperity, is central to Minnan folk beliefs and rituals.

Key Rituals

• "Begging for Turtles" Ceremony: Celebrated in Quanzhou and Penghu, this ritual involves stacking rice bags in the shape of a turtle and touching specific parts while reciting prayers for fortune and peace. 

• Nursery Rhyme:

  Touch the turtle's head, build a tall building.  
  Touch the turtle's mouth, great wealth and prosperity.  
  Touch the turtle's body, experience a significant turnaround.  
  Touch the turtle's feet, abundance that cannot be exhausted.  
  Touch the turtle's tail, eat from the head to the tail.  

• Integration with Deities: Turtles are associated with Mazu (the Goddess of the Sea) and other deities. Turtle cakes (Gui Guo), made of glutinous rice, are common offerings during rituals like the worship of the Jade Emperor.

• Artistic and Culinary Traditions: Turtle Cakes: These glutinous rice treats, embossed with turtle patterns, are integral to Minnan festivals and temple offerings, symbolizing prosperity and gratitude.

Figure 5: Turtle cakes are popular in Fujian and Taiwan. They are glutinous rice-based foods made for festival rituals. They are flat, about the size of a palm, with a pressed turtle pattern on the outside and a filling on the inside, typically cushioned with plant leaves. Some temples also use them as offerings in ceremonies; for instance, red turtle cakes are often considered the best offering for the worship of deities.

---

Animal worship in the Minnan region reflects the intricate relationship between the Minyue people's ecological environment, cultural heritage, and spiritual beliefs. From snakes and dogs to turtles, these practices have evolved, blending ancient reverence with contemporary rituals to sustain their significance in the cultural and religious identity of the Minnan people.