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It's not clear why but somehow Cheung Chau fishermen don't celebrate Tin
Hau's birthday on 23rd of March lunar calendar. Big ceremony and Chinese
opera were arranged on 6 May (Thur) this year (2004). Here are some
pictures I took.
| Tin Hau Temple |
Altar for worshipping Tin Hau |
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| One of the Tin Hau temples on Cheung Chau |
Altar set up by individual community for worship Tin Hau. |
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| Lion went in to worship Tin Hau. But it's impolite to turn
round to show your bottom to the goddess so the lion has to walk backwards. |
This lion will first bow to the Tin Hau stationed in this
altar before it sets off to worship the other Tin Hau temples on the island. |
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| Offerings outside the Tin Hau temple |
A temporary stage opposite the Tin Hau temple to show the
goddess Chinese opera. |
Besides individual fishermen, there are many 'sports clubs' which arrange
their own lion dance and worship group to celebrate the goddess' birthday.
There is typically wooden frame with Tin Hau's statute inside. Some people
hand held it and some put it on a cart with many other offerings.
| Tin Hau statute |
Procession to the main Tin Hau temple |
Lion dance for Tin Hau |
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| This one is one a sedan. |
Lit the joss sticks and set off to the main temple. |
Lion dance |
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| This is put on a cart. |
Lots of suckling pigs for offering. |
More lion dance |
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A big fancy one. |
Procession to Tin Hau Temple |
When two communities meet, their lions bow to each other's Tin Hau statute.
Sometimes the lions will greet each other and have a little dance together
before they move on. |
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| On the street |
On the sea |
After the ceremony |
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| Announcement of ceremony and Chinese opera date. |
Lion dance on the sea |
Roasted suckling pigs are cut up and distributed to their
own community members. |
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| The big red signs outside a Chinese restaurant shows that
communities like 'sport club' will have a big meal after the ceremony. |
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