/ 2025 / Portraiture / Culture

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Bernie Hsu, Taiwan

On a quiet street, two towering figures—each over 3 meters tall—stand as the “Shen Jiang” (神將), or Divine Generals, iconic in Taiwan’s religious folk tradition: the White and Black Generals.

According to legend, the younger brother drowned in a flood. The elder, overwhelmed by grief, took his own life. Touched by their unbreakable bond, the gods appointed them as spiritual guardians. Today, they appear in temple festivals, parading through the streets to bring peace and protection.

This moment captures the rebirth of spirit, folklore, and community.