嶋語 isle.felt

In Taiwan, the belief in sea gods has existed since ancient times. In Taiwanese, the term “Hǎi Wēng" refers to whales. The wisdom of the sea god symbolizes the blessings of wisdom and strength granted by the sea god, empowering people with courage and insight in their daily lives.

The sperm whale is a marine creature that can sometimes be spotted off Taiwan’s eastern coast, and its shape resembles the terrain of Taiwan’s islands. I combined the sperm whale with Taiwan’s coral reefs to create the “Hǎi Wēng – Guardian of Wisdom" bookend. The bookend features the sperm whale as its main body, with coral reefs as the backdrop, symbolizing the inspiration brought to us by the sea god, guiding us to gain wisdom through reading.

● Dimensions: Hǎi Wēng – 22 (16) cm x 15 cm (H) x 10 (6) cm (D)
● Materials: Macaron wool (Merino short fiber wool), wool pellets, silk thread, DMC cotton thread, metallic thread, non-woven fabric base.
● Techniques: Soft sculpture, coiling technique, strip and sheet forms, wool painting, blended gradient, embroidery, mixed-media integration.

Legends and Myths:
Hǎi Wēng, also known as Hǎi Qiū or Hǎi Qiú, is a sea monster in Taiwanese folklore. It is not only massive in size but also capable of breathing fire and swallowing ships.

According to the legend, Hǎi Wēng is an enormous fish, over 50 kilometers (100 miles) in length, that can spew flames from its mouth and is large enough to engulf entire ships. When it sleeps, it can remain motionless on the sea’s surface for over a century. During this time, trees may grow on its back, leading people to mistake it for an island. Some even build towns and streets on it, only for everything to sink into the sea when the Hǎi Wēng awakens.

Taiwanese Wildlife:
The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), also known as the giant sperm whale or cachalot, is the largest toothed whale in the world.

Globally, there are nearly 90 species of cetaceans, and Taiwan has documented 31 of them, accounting for one-third of the world’s cetacean diversity. This makes Taiwan an area of remarkable marine biodiversity. The eastern coastline is the primary habitat for cetaceans in Taiwan, with over 20 species commonly sighted. The probability of spotting whales during whale-watching tours is about 80-90%. Common species include Risso’s dolphins, spinner dolphins, pantropical spotted dolphins, Fraser’s dolphins, and bottlenose dolphins. There is even a chance to spot larger whales like orcas, sperm whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales.

In 2017, Taiwan hosted the Summer Universiade, which opened with the theme “From myths, a giant whale is born; from the ocean, Taiwan emerges,” showcasing the island nation’s deep connection to its maritime culture.