Each year, Hong Kong celebrates the birthday of Tin Hau, also known as the Queen of Heaven and Goddess of the Sea, who enjoys a special place in people's hearts thanks to the territory's long maritime history. Many people in Hong Kong still owe their livelihood to the sea and celebrate Tin Hau's birthday every year.
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In the temple yard, food stalls sell local snacks such as fish balls, sausages and
drinks such as soya milk.
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| Local food stall |
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During Tin Hau Festival, dragon dances and lion Dances are performed on the streets and in temple yards.
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Lion Dances are believed to frighten the evils when they complete the dancing.
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| Lion dance |
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The lion dancer jumps about on top of iron posts. The poles have various heights,
so it increases the risks and difficulties of the dance.
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| Lion dance |
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A lottery is organized. The prices are elaborate altars, made of bright paper, which are brought to the temple by participating associations. Each altar is numbered.
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Huge 20-feet-high "Fa Pau" or floral paper offerings erected
in the temple yard.
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| Fa Pau |
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Previously the festival was celebrated by a colorful competition. Small associations were represented by young men who fought over lucky coins fired from a small cannon. The Hong Kong Police has banned this competition in the early 1960s.
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The Tin Hau festival culminates in a procession and is characterised
by floral paper offerings known as "Fa Pau".
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| Fa Pau |
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To celebrate Tin Hau auspicious birthday, fishermen decorate their boats and gather at Tin Hau temples to pray for fine weather and good catches during the coming year. Every year, fishermen gather for a big celebration at Joss House Bay, and traditional rites are performed at the temple.
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Paper flowers, known as "Fa Pau", are offered during the celebration procession.
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| Fa Pau detail |
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A grand procession featuring dragon and lion dances is going through the village.
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| Dragon dance |
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A stretching hundred-feet-long Dragon is dancing on the parade route. Young men
are lifting parts of the dragon.
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| Dragon dance |
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Tin Hau or the Queen of Heaven is a deity especially associated with
fishing people and those who rely for their living on the sea. The opera
performances commemorate the birthday of the goddess.
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| Opera stage |
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In Hong Kong, around 70 temples are dedicated, at least partially to Tin Hau. They were mostly built around early Ching dynasty.
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Rituals are performed in front of the opera stage and flower offering to the
deities are done.
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| Flowers offering |
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