Many Poe objects were put on the tray

While walking around the grounds of Lungshan Temple in Taipei, I found some red trays. There were a number of small crescent-shaped objects on them. These objects are called Poe. It is a common practice in Taiwan for worshippers to use these objects to tell their fortune. It is just like Omikuji (fortune telling) that is sold at shrines and temples in Japan.

Poe fortune-telling using this object is quite common in Taiwan. It's not unusual to find people who practice it not only here at Lungshan Temple, but also at other temples in Taiwan. Those who want to know their fortune should grab two Poe and toss them to the ground. Then they can tell their fortune by the condition of the Poe on the ground.

From the looks of it, Taiwanese people are more religious than Japanese. Even if you visit a temple that is not a tourist attraction, there is never a lack of visitors. But seeing Taiwanese people who not only pray but also practice poetical fortune-telling makes me think that they are not just religious. At the same time as praying to the gods, they seem to want to know the results of their prayers right away. Maybe Taiwanese people are impatient and are not happy when they don't know the result of their prayers right away.