This paper investigates the visual culture within the ritual spaces of modern Taiwanese Daoism, focusing specifically on the traditional hanging scrolls of deity portraits (daotan hua 道壇畫). Drawing upon fieldwork and visual observations of contemporary Daoist ceremonies in Taiwan, this study examines how these sacred images function not merely as passive religious decorations but as active visual performances that construct a temporary sacred realm. Through the intentional curation of hanging deities, talismanic art, and spatial arrangement, the material and aesthetic dimensions of these portraits structure a "ritual gaze" that shapes the sensory and spiritual experiences of both priests and devotees. Moving beyond text-centered interpretations, this paper argues that daotan hua serves as a crucial visual medium of lived religion, one that actively produces religious efficacy and embodies collective spiritual imaginaries. By analyzing the iconographical presence and spatial dynamics of hanging deity portraits at modern ritual sites, this study highlights the cultural, artistic, and theological significance of vernacular visual arts in contemporary Taiwanese society, demonstrating how sacred imagery continues to mediate the relationship between the human and the divine.

Authors:
Tsung Pei Yeh, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Tsung Pei Yeh is a PhD Candidate in the Graduate Institute of Religious Studies at National Chengchi University. My research interests include Taiwanese folk religion, Daoist ritual, and spirituality. My current project explores spiritual pursuits in

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