CHINESE NEW YEAR

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After Wong Tai Sin Temple, the Che Kung Temple is probably the second most popular temple in Hong Kong. The Che Kung Festival, held on the third day of the Chinese New Year, sees thousands of worshippers gathering here and pray for good fortune. People line up to burn joss sticks and turn a bronze prayer-wheel to hope for fortune in the coming year.

The temple starts to be packed on the second day of the Lunar New Year.

Each year, the annual Lunar New Year ritual in Che Kung temple is broadcasted on HK local channels. It is very important to know if an auspicious fortune stick will be drawn by the chairman. An auspicious fortune stick indicates the economy will grow and run smoothly in the coming year!

Chinese New Year is a special time to give thanks and ask for good fortune in the coming year. Hong Kong people head to Che Kung Temple to have the soothsayers predict their future.

Some families invite a Lion dance troupe to their home as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as well as to force-evict bad spirits out of the premises.

The lion dance is an important tradition and is part of festivities like Chinese New Year.

Chinese red firecrackers are on display. The noisy explosions of each firecracker are believed to scare evil spirits away.

During the Lunar New Year Festival the lion dance is common sight. The heads of the lions are supposed to ward off evil and the graceful movements of the dancers provide an interesting spectacle.

It is believed that when the lion performs, it will bring to the place and the people good luck, good fortune, good health and helps to drive away the evil spirits.

When people receive red enveloppe with money, they always answer with this gesture meaning "I wish you good fortune". It is the traditional way to thank during Chinese New Year festival.

The Lunar New Year tradition is to give bank notes in traditional red envelopes ("LAISEE"). Recently e"LAISEE" become popular especially in Mainland China where people give money through WeChat money transfer.

Lunar New Year Photo Gallery

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