By Li Xinyi, compiled and reported
During the Spring Festival Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, the "Prayer Naked Dragon," which attracted nearly 20,000 people to attach prayer cards, was set ablaze and ascended to heaven yesterday (the 12th) under the blessings and protection of deities and divine soldiers from the Zizhu Temple in Neimen. Huang Bi-gong, the general affairs officer of Zizhu Temple in Neimen, said that yesterday was the final day of the celebration for Guanyin Bodhisattva’s birthday, as well as the time to “reward the soldiers,” giving thanks to the divine soldiers and deities. The prayer “naked dragon cards” were burned and ascended to heaven along with the reward ceremony, carrying all the heartfelt prayers and wishes of the people to reach the heavens.
The lantern festival's naked dragon fire ritual sends people's prayers to the heavenly hall. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau)
The Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau pointed out that during the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival, the naked dragon located in Qishan Gushan Park attracted nearly 20,000 people to stick countless prayer cards on it, transforming the naked dragon into a gleaming golden flying dragon. The densely packed prayer cards were filled with the wishes of the public, including wishes for good health, romantic relationships, academic success, and weight loss. The dragon was covered with the love and hopes of the people.
The Neimen Songjiang Battle Array combines with the lantern festival's naked dragon for a prayer fire ritual. (Photo provided by Kaohsiung City Tourism Bureau)
The tourism bureau stated that this two-meter-long golden dragon was transported yesterday (the 12th) to the nearby Zizhu Temple in Neimen, where it participated in the prayer ritual alongside the temple’s “Rewarding the Soldiers” event. Yesterday afternoon, many devotees from Zizhu Temple in Neimen brought offerings one after another to reward the divine soldiers and deities who had worked hard to assist in the parade over the past few days. Huang Bi-gong, the general affairs officer of Zizhu Temple, said that the celebration of Guanyin Bodhisattva’s birthday is not considered complete until the “Rewarding the Soldiers” ceremony ends, because it conveys a sentiment of reverence to the heavens, gratitude to the gods, and mutual appreciation. It is also the highest expression of sentiment that transcends religious boundaries.
● Read more: Kaohsiung Lantern Festival kicks off on January 27, giving away 60,000 dragon-shaped headwear lights
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