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安平劍獅：據明茅元儀【武備志】所載：昔日水師官兵盾牌正面繪有張口露牙的獅頭紋飾，十分凶悍威嚴。自延平郡王鄭成功來到安平之後，明、清水師一直駐紮在安平鎮，水師官兵晚上休憩時，會將盾牌掛在牆上，並順手將寶劍插在盾牌上。懸掛在牆上的獅盾牌有威赫宵小的功效，無形中庇護著居民的安全及財產，此形制逐漸演變成安平家家戶戶牆門上的劍獅圖騰三百年來劍獅庇佑著安平的居民，讓安平歷經各戰亂依然平安無事；劍獅除了成為安平民宅獨特的風格，也是安平居民驅邪、制煞、鎮宅、祈福的守護神！
Sword Lion—An Anping Mascot and Guardian of Peace
The story of Sword Lion, as documented in Wu Bei Chi or Records of Weaponry published by Mao Yuan-yi in the Ming Dynasty, goes as follows: In ancient times, the naval officers and soldiers were armed with lion-headed shields, each having an open mouth and flashing teeth with a fierce and awesome-inspiring appearance. Since the time when Koxinga, Prince of Yanping arrived in Taiwan, the naval troops of the Ming and Qing dynasties had been based in Anping Township. During the nighttime, when officers and soldiers retired to rest, they would hang up their shields on the wall and insert their swords into the shields. The lion-headed shields on the wall served to guard against thieves and robbers, safeguarding the security and property of the residents, This significance of Sword Lion gradually evolved into the totem of a sword lion in every household in Anping. Over the past three hundred years, the Sword Lion has always blessed the residents of Anping, enabling them to live peacefully through various wars and disasters. In addition to its protection of civilian residents, the Sword Lion serves as a guardian for Anping residents to ward off evil spirits, conquer demons, pacify the household, and pray for good fortune.
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