The traditional Han culture is characterized by patrilineal descent. Deceased, single women do not have patrilineal families by marriage to be admitted in; neither can they be worshiped as ancestors in their maiden home, hence the establishment of Gu-niang Temple where their memorial tablets are settled. As common establishments seemed in both sides of Taiwan Strait, Gu-niang Temples are especially popular in Taiwan. This research paper aims to discuss Taiwanese feminine gender role and its adaptation through time by analyzing phenomenon and tales of Gu-niang Temple as well as interviews in depth. There are 2 male and 2 female interviewees in total, with one from each gender having the experiences in worshiping Gu-niang Temple. This research discovers that worshiping Gu-niang Temple is viewed as taboo across genders. However, the myth of Gu-niang Temple is commonly perceived as a result of social shaping of feminine gender role. It is also a consensus that modern unmarried women should be allowed to be worshiped in their maiden home. These results have concluded that the traditional male superiority conception and Taiwanese feminine gender role have been gradually changing.
從姑娘廟信仰與傳說探討臺灣女性角色變遷 = Discuss Changes in Taiwanese Feminine Gender Role From Gu
