台灣的玄天上帝信仰主要是在明鄭時期（1661-1683）隨著早期渡海來台的先民傳入，並在漢人移民極需家鄉神慰藉的心理訴求下快速發展。頭城鎮是漢人在蘭陽平原最早開拓的地區。位於宜蘭縣頭城鎮的外澳接天宮草創於清道光23年（1843），其玄天上帝信仰最早於清道光2年（1822）源自福建省泉州市法石真武廟。外澳接天宮玄天上帝信仰的演進，在神意與筊杯的引導下，隨著漢人移民在頭城發展的腳步，一步一腳印，走出自己的特色與格局。本文以玄天上帝經典文獻做為研究基礎與依據，彙整論述從外澳接天宮所搜集之田野資料中有關組織、慶典活動、儀式及宮際互動等各種宗教元素，以呈現外澳接天宮玄天上帝信仰的實踐內涵與推展情形。

In Taiwan, Xuantian Shangdi (玄天上帝) is one of the most worshiped deities. The belief in Xuantian Shangdi was conveyed to Taiwan by the ancient people coming from mainland China during Ming-zheng period (明鄭時期，1661-1683). Being a great consolation to the immigrants, it has developed quickly. Waiao Jietian Temple (外澳接天宮), located in Toucheng township in Yilan County, was founded in 1843. Its belief in Xuantian Shangdi originated from Fashi Zenwu Temple (法石真武廟) in Quanzhou City in Fujian Province (福建省泉州市). Following the pioneering steps of the immigrants in Toucheng (頭城) and under the guidance from Xuantian Shangdi, Waiao Jietian Temple has developed a characteristic belief in Xuantian Shangdi in its own style. Based on the scriptures about Xuantian Shangdi, this essay tries to analyze and investigate religious factors like organization, celebrations and activities, rituals, and interactions among temples according to the data collected from Waiao Jietian Temple so as to reveal the status of the performance, development and spread of the belief in Xuantian Shangdi in Waiao Jietian Temple.