Innocence Among the Immortals: A Portrait of Devotion and Cultural Memory

At the World Grand Prix Photography Award Spring 2026, Shie Dung-Ting received the Silver Award in Cultural Expressions Photography for Innocence Among the Immortals, a heartfelt documentary image captured during Taiwan’s iconic Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage.

An active-duty soldier in the Republic of China Army with a background in military photography, Shie approaches documentary work with both discipline and emotional sensitivity. Through this award-winning image, he reveals the human warmth and spiritual intimacy embedded within Taiwanese religious traditions.

Innocence Among the Immortals - Photo by Shie,Dung-Ting  

This photograph was taken during the annual pilgrimage of Dajia Jenn Lann Temple in Taiwan, one of the island’s largest religious processions.

Leading the parade is the Fude Maitreya Troupe, established in 1979, portraying five deity figures that symbolize fortune, prosperity, longevity, wealth, and protection.

Among them, the Jade Maiden stands apart. With childlike features and light, skipping steps, she embodies innocence and is revered as a guardian of children.

While the three Maitreya figures move with ritualized, swaying steps and the Earth God advances with dignified slowness, the Jade Maiden dances playfully through the crowd. In that brief moment, centuries of belief transform into something disarmingly human — shared laughter, warmth, and collective joy.

Interview

Q. What inspired you to take this award-winning photo? Is there a story behind the piece you’d like to share?

Shie:

The Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage is one of Taiwan’s most magnificent religious festivals. I am proud to be part of a dedicated team of volunteer photographers for the "FUDE MILE GROUP" (福德彌勒團). Together with my fellow photographers, we strive to capture the essence of their five divine figures:

• Maitreya Arhat: Representing "Fortune" (Fu) with a benevolent, wide smile.

• Maitreya Patriarch:Representing "Prosperity" (Lu) with righteous black-faced dignity.

• Maitreya Ancient Buddha:Representing "Longevity" (Shou) with a long white beard symbolizing wisdom.

• The Earth God (Tu Di Gong):The most accessible deity, bestowing blessings and wealth.

• The Jade Maiden (Yu Nu):The protagonist of my winning photo. Embodying innocence, she is seen as the guardian of children. A unique local tradition involves parents exchanging pacifiers with the one in her mouth, praying for their children to grow up healthy and safe.

This profound connection between faith and human tenderness—the "pure love" from the divine—is what drives my passion to press the shutter.

Q. Were there any challenges during the process of creating this series or image? How did you navigate them?

Shie:

The main challenge was the unpredictable movement. The Jade Maiden is playful and mischievous, often skipping lightly and stopping to interact with children along the route.

To navigate this, I spent extensive time studying the team's choreography and movement logic. By synchronizing my own pace with the troupe's rhythm, I was able to anticipate her movements and capture the perfect frame without interfering with the sacred ritual.

Q. How do you approach the balance between technical skill and emotional/artistic expression in your photography?

Shie:

In our culture, these deities are highly revered; we never ask them to "pose." While technical precision is essential for a photographer, the true balance comes from empathy and patience.

One must remain "invisible" within the ceremony, using keen observation to capture the emotion. It is a marathon of discipline and a touch of "divine luck" to capture such a fleeting, sacred moment.

Q. What message or feeling do you hope your photography conveys to viewers?

Shie:

I want to show the world the profound warmth of Taiwanese people ("Ren Qing Wei") and our vibrant cultural vitality. Behind the grand ceremonies lies the purest form of love and heritage between humanity and the divine.

I hope it inspires people to visit Taiwan and experience these traditions firsthand.

Q. In your view, what role does photography play in today’s world?

Shie:

I believe photography serves as a "witness to history." It freezes fleeting moments in the flow of time, transforming cultural heritage and human emotions into an eternal legacy.

Editor’s Note

In Innocence Among the Immortals, Shie Dung-Ting captures far more than ritual spectacle.

The photograph reveals the tenderness hidden within grand cultural traditions—the quiet emotional exchanges between faith, family, and community. Through patience, observation, and deep cultural understanding, the work transforms documentary photography into an enduring portrait of Taiwan’s living spiritual heritage.

Follow the Photographer

Shie Dung-Ting

I am honored to share Taiwan’s beauty. Coincidentally, the 2026 Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage (April 17–26) is happening right now! Our team is live-streaming the entire journey. I invite everyone to witness Taiwan’s unique religious culture through these links:

Personal Photography Page: Eastin Shot

Instagram: eastin.shot

Fu De Mi Le Group Official Page: 福德彌勒團

Instagram: fdml68