Taiwan’s Top Three Lantern Festival Celebrations: The Fearless God of Wealth Takes on Firecrackers Despite the Chill!

Reported by Chen Ziying / Taipei

The cold weather couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm for the vibrant Lantern Festival, as Taiwan’s three major Lantern Festival celebrations kicked off with great fanfare on the 14th.In Taitung, the highlight event — “Firecrackers for the God of Wealth (Han Dan Ye)” — saw the deity, portrayed by a human daredevil, bravely enduring a barrage of deafening firecrackers amidst thick smoke. This year, Taitung’s Han Dan Ye celebration has been expanded to include as many as 30 events.

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The Taitung Han Dan Ye tradition dates back 50 years. Legend has it that Han Dan Ye was originally not a deity but a local troublemaker who later became one of the gods. The firecracker ritual is believed to cleanse the sins of his past misdeeds. Another story says that Zhao Gongming, a general of the tyrant King Zhou, became a god of wealth after his death but was afraid of the cold, so people threw firecrackers to warm him up. Han Dan Ye is also regarded as a god of fortune. Those who play the role must wear a headscarf, red pants, and remain bare-chested while being bombarded with firecrackers. The more intense and painful the bombardment, the better it is believed to ward off misfortune and bring prosperity for the year. Today’s “Han Dan Ye” participants are all real people going bare-chested, making the event both thrilling and daring.


▲ The human firecracker challenge tests bravery and endurance. (Photo / Provided by Taitung City Government)


▲ Last night, the real-life daredevils from Handan Hall took on the challenge in double sedan chairs, delivering an exciting and intense performance. (Photo / Provided by Taitung City Government)

The Taitung City Government stated that this year’s event has been expanded overall, inviting groups such as the Oriental Art Troupe, Chishang Yusheng Hall, Handan Hall, Beiji Temple, Xingfu Yijia Performance Troupe, Zhongsheng Hall, Zhonghe Temple, Shengyun Temple, Liu Bu Hall, and Tianguan Hall. The program includes traditional dance, lion dances, the Han Dan Ye firecracker ritual, dragon parades, samba drumming, the Five Poison Deities, Official Generals, ceremonial palanquin performances, and lantern riddle games.