Wen partners with Xiahai Temple, designers to craft military‑inspired peace armband honoring armed forces.

The Republic of China’s 93 Armed Forces Day is approaching, and various sectors are launching a range of creative tribute activities. This year, the Cultural Affairs Council has organized a special series called “93 Armed Forces Heroes, Thank You.” One of the most eye‑catching highlights is a cross‑disciplinary collaboration that blends Taiwan’s deep-rooted folk beliefs with contemporary design aesthetics. The project invites the renowned Xiahai Cheng‑Huang Temple in Taipei to participate, and features the work of celebrated designer Li Yusheng, who specializes in garments for deities and traditional costume design. Together, they have created a peace‑charm arm badge that fuses traditional symbolism with a military style.

This culturally rich and collectible item not only delivers heartfelt wishes to soldiers but also uses a point‑accumulation system to bring the public closer to national defense matters. The Cultural Affairs Council has consistently sought to overturn stereotypical perceptions of the armed forces, paying tribute in warm, accessible, and design‑savvy ways. Armed Forces Day is a key occasion for the nation to express gratitude to the military, and the “93 Armed Forces Heroes, Thank You” initiative once again demonstrates the integration of cultural soft power and a nationwide defense mindset.

In Taiwanese folk belief, a peace charm has long symbolized protection, safety, and emotional stability. By transforming this cultural motif into a military arm badge, the design not only represents divine protection for front‑line and daily duty personnel but also provides the armed forces with a powerful source of spiritual cohesion.

The collaboration specifically invites the Xiahai Cheng‑Huang Temple, a century‑old temple in Dadaocheng, Taipei, known for its vibrant incense offerings and status as a major faith center and cultural landmark in northern Taiwan. The temple has long worked to modernize traditional religious culture and engage in social welfare. Li Yusheng, a prominent deity‑clothing designer in Taiwan’s theater and craft circles, is renowned for seamlessly integrating traditional embroidery with contemporary aesthetic cuts. His deep study and innovative practice of deity garments, theatrical costumes, materials, patterns, and cultural meanings ensure that the peace‑charm arm badge preserves the solemnity and accuracy of religious totems while incorporating a sleek, modern military look.

The Cultural Affairs Council has designed a point‑based redemption channel. Citizens who participate in related tribute activities and complete specified point‑earning tasks can collect a limited‑edition joint peace‑charm arm badge to take home. This approach not only boosts public willingness to engage in tribute activities but also turns support for the armed forces into tangible interactive experiences. Through the point‑earning process, people gain a deeper understanding of the hardships and importance of daily military operations, thereby achieving the deeper goal of nationwide defense education. This ensures that patriotic sentiments are not merely symbolic but are realized through rich cultural experiences and community interaction.

From a broader social and cultural perspective, these cross‑sector initiatives—combining traditional temple culture, contemporary fashion design, and national defense tribute—are gradually becoming a vital model for Taiwan’s cultural governance and social cohesion. When the spirit of soldiers who defend the nation intertwines with the everyday faith that protects the populace, it underscores the armed forces’ indispensable stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and revitalizes traditional culture with new life and dialogue. As 93 Armed Forces Day approaches, the Cultural Affairs Council’s tribute activity is expected to spark widespread discussion, adding warmth, unity, and cultural depth to this year’s celebration.

(Source: Central News Agency)