Blessings from Heaven
by Suzy Rayment on 2 May 2005

Giant Joss sticks Guy Nowell
http://www.guynowell.com
It was Tin Hau’s birthday yesterday (01 May), and all those who earn their livelihood from the sea make offering to her on this special day.
The festival falls on the 23rd day of the third month of the Lunar Calendar. This year it was the 1st May, and it was decided that this had to an auspicious day to start www.sail-world.com/asia
Fishermen, marine police, sailors, ferry operators, lightermen, absolutely anyone who has anything to do with the sea, is likely to be there. Boats make a trip to the various Tin Hau temples.
In Hong Kong the temple at Joss House Bay is a very popular visiting place. Festival boats are colourfully decorated, and 'paying respect' to Tin Hau involves offering roast suckling pig, oranges and cakes.
Enormous incense sticks and coils are lit, and lion dancers entertain the goddess on her birthday and help to drive away evil spirits for another year.
By doing this it is hoped that those making the offering will experience safety, security, fine weather and full nets during the coming year.
The Chinese legend says that Tin Hau, the daughter of a fisherman in China’s Fujian Province, had visions that enabled her to predict storms.
On one occasion she saved her father’s boat from a fearsome tempest, and other stories have involve Tin Hau saving people from drowning.
Today, among maritime Chinese communities, she is a sort of Patron Saint of Seafarers.
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