Author: Agnes Wong

The Big Buddha situated on Lantau Island is perhaps one of Hong Kong’s most iconic attractions dedicated to a humble being filled with gratitude who was born privileged – Buddha. Being widely respected, Buddha’s Birthday (佛誕 – fat daan in Cantonese and 佛诞 – fo dan in Mandarin) on May 26, 2023 is a time-honoured celebration across Asia in remembrance of his life. Read on to understand why Buddha remains so significant a figure in Asian cultural values to this day. What is Buddha’s Birthday celebration? Celebrated on May 26, 2023 in Hong Kong and other Asian countries, Buddha’s Birthday…

With a name that rouses the appetite, one might be fooled to think that Cheung Chau Bun Festival is about food. As scrumptious as it sounds, Cheung Chau Bun Festival (包山節 – bao saan zit in Cantonese and 包山节 – bao shan jie in Mandarin) is steeped in folklore that began around a plague-swept time and has now become a festival celebrated on the small fishing island filled with fun activities, one that’s not to be missed! What is Cheung Chau Bun Festival? The buns’ stamps represent peace (© tangerineviolets via Flickr) Cheung Chau Bun Festival or Cheung Chau Da…

It’s not every day that we have a legendary and historical female figure to commemorate, but when we do, Tin Hau (天后) is among the ranks. Tin Hau in Cantonese or Tian Hou in Mandarin, meaning Empress of Heaven, is known as the goddess of the sea in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southern China. On May 12, 2023, we celebrate Tin Hau’s birthday for Tin Hau Festival. She’s a protector of one of Mother Nature’s breathtaking elements and grants this protection to seafarers. See how Tin Hau has made centuries-long waves. What is Tin Hau Festival? Tin Hau Festival parade…

What is a good day for us to get married? What is a good day for you to give birth? Or, what day is good to move homes? These are all questions that may be familiar to your household when big changes are about to take place. To get the answers, local people in Hong Kong and mainland China turn to Tung Shing (通勝, tong sheng in Cantonese), a Chinese divination guide that’s also known as the Chinese almanac. This book provides Chinese calendar lucky days and guidance on the way we behave and how we plan to move forward…

Ching Ming Festival (alternatively spelled Qing Ming Festival) is among Hong Kong’s highly revered public holidays that celebrates ancestors, with people paying respect to and worshipping them by sweeping their tombs and laying out sacrificial goods. The festival has carried forward centuries with time-honoured practices, which proudly showcase filial piety above all else. As the festival takes place at the start of spring, it makes celebrations all the more heartwarming and fun. Though sharing the practice of cleaning the tombs of ancestors, Ching Ming Festival is not to be confused with Chung Yeung Festival, celebrated in the autumn. What is…

To have the power to control winds and storms is a force to be reckoned with. At a young age, Tam Kung (譚公 Tam Gung in Cantonese), also known as Tam Tai Sin (譚大仙 Tam Dai Sin in Cantonese), had this magical prowess and used it towards great deeds to the benefit of his community. He thus earned the name Lord Tam, the Sea God, and became a revered deity, especially among fishermen. His birthday is celebrated to this day on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month. This year, it falls on 23 May 2023, in which many…

In a world where medicine is progressive and advanced, sometimes the right remedy falls back to ancient times. This is where traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) comes into play. TCM involves Eastern medicine practices encompassing not only medicine but also acupuncture, physical therapy, and exercise. To understand more about this ancient health practice, let’s go back to the roots. What is TCM? Tai chi falls under the exercise element of TCM (© Syolacan via Canva) Traditional Chinese medicine, a.k.a. TCM, goes back centuries and has widely amassed recognition as more people in the western world seek alternative approaches to health. It…

Protecting people from natural disasters is no easy feat, but one man took on the great role no matter how taxing it was. Hung Shing (洪聖 hung sing in Cantonese) was the governor of Panyu County during the Tang Dynasty who was a master in astronomy and mathematics. His duty to the people, while living and after passing on from human life, is why he’s celebrated today. What is Hung Shing Festival? Hung Shing Festival (洪聖爺誕 hung shing ye daan in Cantonese) celebrates the life of Hung Shing. It falls on the 13th of the second lunar month, which is…

It goes without saying that to achieve our dreams, we must work hard. We’re met with responsibilities and obligations daily, most of which involve being financially abundant. While we toil, we can also use a bit of luck. This is where Kwun Yum or Guan Yin (觀音, Cantonese and Mandarin pronunciations, respectively), comes in. She’s known as Hong Kong’s Mother Goddess in the Taoist tradition and offers mercy and compassion when things get tough. On the 26th day of the first lunar month (16 February 2023), people celebrate Kwun Yum Treasury Opening Festival (觀音借庫, kwun yum je fu) to seek…

Lantern Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Lunar New Year, marking the final day of new year celebrations. This year, Lantern Festival falls on 5 February 2023. Learn about the mythical and historical origins of this vibrant holiday and how it is celebrated. What is Lantern Festival? Chinese Lantern Festival marks the beginning of springtime (© mrfiza via Canva) Lantern Festival, also known as Chinese Lantern Festival, Yuan Xiao Festival, Shang Yuan Festival (in China and Taiwan), and Spring Lantern Festival (in China), marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations and the…