在傳統社會中，人們為了預防天災人禍的降臨，常會建立起各種形態的防禦系統以應付外來的侵略，甚至為了防衛鬼魅妖邪入侵，民間更常安置照壁、刀劍門、鏡子、八卦、瓦將軍、風獅爺等辟邪物，而石敢當也是常見的辟邪物之一。 澎湖由於強風少雨，土壤貧瘠的特殊地理環境，先民移民之初因生活條件差、知識水準普遍低落，時有不測之虞，對於日常生活中層出不窮的異象，只好求神問卜。若僥倖避災解厄，則歸功於供奉的神靈。若未能避災解厄，則歸咎於鬼魅作祟，所以普設辟邪物以求保護。澎湖的辟邪物－石敢當便是居民渴求超自然防衛的產物。 澎湖的石敢當與佛、道二界融為一體，豐富的圖文母題異於漢文化圈各地的石敢當，形成有特色的石敢當文化。然此一有特色的文化如何有效保存，除深入瞭解其本質外，更應結合政府與民間力量，發揮創意與動力，活化澎湖石敢當文化。 In the traditional society, people built different kinds of defenses to prevent from natural and man-made calamities and invasion. Some amulets such as Yingbi, Mirror ,Ba gua and the god of Wind Lion(Shisa) are often used to stop from demons and ghosts. Among these amulets, Shigandang is seen the most in Penghu. The strong wind and a little rain make the soil in Penghu barren. The distinctive geographical environment caused ancestors’ living conditions poor. Because of poor knowledge, people often sought for gods’ help when they faced some mysterious and strange events. Most people believed that gods could help them to avoid the strange things. On the other hand, they might ascribe something mysterious to ghosts. As a result, Shigandang is used to protect people’s daily life. Shigandang has mixed the culture of Buddhism and Taoism. The rich pictures, words and symbols make it become a distinguishing feature in Penghu. Because the culture of Shigandang is so characteristic in Penghu, in order to reserve it, we have to link the government and the society together to make it become more valuable.
