|
Pu-Tu in
Keelung, Northern Taiwan
Pu-Tu in Keelung
Keelung
Mid-summer Ghost Festival
Keelung
Mid-summer Ghost Festival is the hallmark Pu-Tu in northern
Taiwan and one of the 12 local festivals in Taiwan. Zhongyuan Puja
in Keelung in July of the lunar calendar is also an important folk
belief event in Taiwan.
Pu-Tu
in Keelung starts on July 1st of the lunar calendar with
the opening of the Shrine Gate by Laodagong Temple. This is followed
with the lightening of lamps on July 12th, the blessing
parade with dipper lanterns on July 13th, the releasing
of water lanterns from the beach on July 14th, public and
private Pu-Tu activities on July 15th with Dance of Zhong
Kui, and finally the closing of Shrine Gate on August 1st.
The whole festival lasts for one month. Now, let’s read a brief
introduction of Pu-Tu in Keelung.
|
Blessing Parade with Dipper Lanterns
The
blessing parade with dipper lanterns on July 13th
is a key warm-up event during Ghost Festival. The parade
takes place from around 2 pm to 5 pm. Dipper lanterns
are usually kept in family clan associations. These
lanterns are handcrafted with traditional techniques and
known for beautiful wooden carvings. A dipper lantern
consists of three sections, i.e., Heaven, Earth, and
Humanity, and there are knives and swords placed in
different layers. The dipper lanterns used for the
blessing parade on July 13th will be revered
at Ching-An Temple. |
Photo 1:
Blessing Parade with Dipper Lanterns |
|
Water Lantern Parade and Release at Wanghai Lane
On
July 14th is the water lantern parade and release. This
parade is a ceremony developed in Keelung as a harbor for Zhongyuan
Pu-Tu. To invite the deceased sailors and the dead from
drowning, water lanterns are released to show them the way to the
shore for offerings. This vibrant and magnificent event is one of
the key activities for the Ghost Festival. It is also a showcase, or
an occasion, for different family clans to demonstrate solidarity
with various gorgeous water lanterns. Lanterns, flowers, and stunts
are all part of this parade. Afterwards, the water lanterns from
different family clans are sent to Wanghai Lane. At midnight, the
water lanterns are lighted and released to the seas, as a beacon for
ghosts to the banquet on the shore. |
Photo 2:
Water
Lantern Parade |
|
Pu-Tu and Dance of Zhong Kui
On
July 15th, a public praying ceremony at the main altar
would be held by the rotating family clan as Zhongyuan Pu-Tu. Along
with the dough figurines created by the master artist Mr. Yuan-Chang
Hsieh, there are offerings with meat, vegetarian food, and even
western cuisine for foreign ghosts. At the end of Pu-Tu, Dance of
Zhong Kui starts at 11 pm on July 15th and
continues into July 16th.
It is one of the most mystic ceremonies in Taiwan.
|
Photo 3:
Dance of Zhong Kui |
|