Legendary sea gods really do bring joy to Wanshan

The ongoing Wanshan Archipelago Folk Culture Festival came to a climax on May 8 with multitudes of tourists and fishermen from neighboring islands gathering on Big Wanshan Island for Matsu's Birthday. This was a follow-up to the April 18 Pak Tai (a water deity of safe passage) celebrations.

Matsu (Tin Hau, Matzu) is a legendary sea goddess that is enshrined in temples and called upon by seafarers to keep them from distress and peril. Her birthday, which falls on the 23rd day of the third lunar month, is widely celebrated in coastal areas of Guangdong, Fujian, Zhejiang, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia.

High-flying lion

The custom, which began more than a hundred years ago, is an intrinsic island festival. Even rainy weather didn't dampen enthusiasm. The annual blessing got underway early in the morning as trumpets blew, drums beat, and colorful buntings fluttered in the wind.

In the jubilant atmosphere, a lion dance troupe paraded around the island. The troupe went door to door grabbing lettuce (shēng cài, a homophone for making a fortune) and red envelopes (hóng bāo) held high with clearly difficult effort. The performance is believed to bring wealth and good luck to participants.

Folk snacks

Meanwhile, a blessing ceremony was held at the island's Tin Hau Temple, where fishermen and women greeted Matsu's statue and burned incense sticks. Nearby food stalls attracted a great number of visitors to sample all kinds of folk snacks.

At dusk, a 100-table grand feast treated the fishermen and tourists from the archipelago, Hong Kong, and Macao. During the banquet, they bid for auction items that can be given to their relatives and friends as wishes for well-being and health.

The Matsu Birthday feast, with hundreds participating, lasts three and a half days, and winding things up, the statue is courteously transported back to Tin Hau Temple on the final day.

Tourists hang blessing plaques [Photos by Song Aihua / Zhuhai Daily]