Embodied Deities

Photographer

SHENG YUNG CHU

Category

People Photography - Religious

Company

Submission Group

Amateur

Year

2026

Country / Region:

Taiwan

Embodied Deities portrays the Bajiajiang of Ruxing Zhenxian Temple in Taipei, Taiwan. Before setting out on a religious procession, each performer undergoes a ritual transformation: a skilled face painter applies elaborate facial designs corresponding to the divine general he embodies, while distinctive costumes and ritual implements signify the identity and duties of each role. Through these portraits, the series explores the moment when ordinary individuals assume sacred identities, becoming living representations of deities within Taiwan's folk religious tradition.