A Review of the Bustling Incense Offering at Wong Tai Sin Temple on the Chinese New Year's Eve

The Wong Tai Sin Temple has been open all night from 9 p.m. on New Year's Eve for citizens to enter the temple to worship gods on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Many people dressed up and lined up on the site in advance, hoping to offer the first incense stick at midnight.

The Wong Tai Sin Temple, Photo by Bastille Post

Many people dressed up and lined up on the site in advance, hoping to offer the first incense stick at midnight. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan, Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. Chan, who had arrived at the site for queuing up at 3 a.m., successfully came to the front of the line. He joked that it was because he "couldn't sleep". He mentioned that since the New Year's Eve this year was the hottest ever since, the temperature in many areas rose to 28 degrees Celsius or above, it's really tough work for him to bear the high temperature from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with merely an umbrella, making him all of a sweat. When the night fell, it became cooler for him to wait at the site, so that he felt more comfortable. Since he needed to return to Malaysia tomorrow, he hoped he could seize the chance to offer the first incense stick. In his eyes, the number of people offering incense at Wong Tai Sin Temple was fewer than last year. As a teacher, Mr. Chan held the wish that not only could he be healthy in the coming year, but also his students would achieve academic progress and grow up strong and healthy.

Ms. Lana Wong, Photo by Bastille Post

The 95-year-old local actress Ms. Lana Wong dressed up as "Guanyin" this year, which had cost her four hours for makeup. She said her costume implied kindness and generosity to grant every request. As for her wish for the Year of the Horse, she said that she hoped the government could not only offer more residential houses to residents and more nursing homes to the elderly, but also give more benefits to homeless people." She said she came to Wong Tai Sin Temple at around noon. Though the weather was so hot that she was nearly soaked with sweat, she still felt happy for queuing up at the site. Asked why she insisted on lining up to offer the first incense stick for many years, Ms. Wong said she felt grateful to Wong Tai Sin. "Whenever I offer incense at the temple during the Chinese New Year, I would make New Year wishes for living a long life. Now I am 95 years old. Wong Tai Sin has given me great fortune to extend my life."

Izumi Soko, Photo by Bastille Post

The Japanese artist Izumi Soko preserved his dress style as an "international superstar" this time, wearing a horse head hat on his head. He mentioned that he had arrived at about 5 a.m. "This year, I feel the temple is less crowded than in previous years, though the weather is so nice. I don't know what the reason is for that." He said his wish this year was that everyone could worry less: "Try to live in the moment. The most important thing is to be happy and healthy."

Bhavya and her mother, Purnima, Photo by Bastille Post

Bhavya and her mother, Purnima, from India, have been in Hong Kong for a year, and this is the first time for them to visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple to experience offering the first incense stick. They said, "Although we don't know much, we would follow others to offer the incense and pray for good luck." She thought the festive atmosphere for the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong was quite good and hoped that her experience of offering the first incense stick would bring her good fortune in the coming year.

At about 10:50 p.m., the first batch of people offering incense arrived before the incense burner in the temple and began to stick the first incense at 11 p.m. punctually. Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

At about 10:50 p.m., the first batch of people offering incense arrived before the incense burner in the temple and began to stick the first incense at 11 p.m. punctually.

Photo by Bastille Post

After sticking the first incense, people clasped their hands together and prayed to Wong Tai Sin, the god who " was believed to grant every request", to help them realize their New Year wishes. Allegedly, the first batch of people who offer incense to Wong Tai Sin on the first day of the Chinese New Year can achieve good fortune and success in the coming year. Moreover, such practice is also a manifestation for people to show their devout respect to Wong Tai Sin, making it gradually a characteristic local custom at the beginning of the Chinese New Year.

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

After 11 p.m., the Wong Tai Sin Temple was still bustling with crowds. There were also people, having bought incense sticks, windmills, and other blessing items, queuing up outside the temple waiting for entrance to pray for blessings for the New Year.

Ms. Wan, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Wan, a shop owner at the site, thought that the flow of people this year was passable, which might be increased later since the best time for praying has not arrived yet. In her eyes, praying would be effective if people could be sincere enough. For her shop, it sells amulets, windmills, and other blessing items, but incense sticks are still the most popular ones among the people. "I have no specific expectations for turnover since the Chinese New Year has just started. The next few days are the key to improving sales," she said.

Ms. Tsang, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Tsang spent over HKD $100 to buy some blessing items. She felt that the price had not been increased this year. For her New Year wishes, Ms. Tsang prayed for world peace. She did not deliberately rush to offer the first incense stick at 11 p.m. In her eyes, the hours during the period from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the next day would all be appropriate for offering incense, since they are all good times for worshipping gods.

Miss Ting, Photo by Bastille Post

Ms. Ting bought a windmill for HKD $60, saying, "I would buy a windmill every year for luck and peace." She said she would visit the Wong Tai Sin Temple every year to pray for good health, fortune, and happiness.

After 11 p.m., the Wong Tai Sin Temple was still bustling with crowds. Photo by Bastille Post

On February 16th, the Chinese New Year's Eve, the Chief Executive, Mr. John Lee, visited the Chinese New Year Fair at Kwun Tong Recreation Ground at around 3 p.m., accompanied by Miss Alice Mak, the Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, and Mr. Tse Chin Wan, the Secretary for Environment and Ecology. They chatted with citizens and learning about the stalls' business.

Mr. John Lee visited the Chinese New Year Fair in Kwun Tong. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. John Lee visited the Chinese New Year Fair in Kwun Tong. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. John Lee visited the Chinese New Year Fair in Kwun Tong. Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. John Lee said that the Chinese New Year Fair was bustling with people, and the atmosphere was lively, reminding him of his warm memories of visiting flower markets with his family during childhood. Since the Chinese New Year's Eve is a reunion date for Chinese people, he hoped that everyone would have a warm and enjoyable reunion dinner with family members in the evening and joyfully welcome the new year. He also wished that citizens would achieve success and lead the way in the Year of the Horse.

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

Photo by Bastille Post

At the entrance of the New Year Fair, many citizens greeted and waved to Mr. John Lee, shouting "Happy New Year" along the way. Mr. John Lee responded by wishing citizens "good health" and "all your wishes come true." At the first fair stall he passed, Mr. John Lee purchased some pussy willow at HKD $120. The stall owner, Ms. Yeung, said she recommended the pussy willow to Mr. John Lee since it symbolizes "abundant wealth" and "good fortune." She also praised the Chief Executive for his friendliness, noting that he arrived with a broad smile.

Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. John Lee said he specifically bought three genres of flowers at the fair: First, pussy willow, currently budding and poised to bloom in spring, symbolizing vitality; Second, solanum mammosum, signifying joy and peace; Third, orchids, known as the "noble flower". He mentioned that there are 14 Chinese New Year Fairs across Hong Kong this year, each with its own unique characteristics, featuring stalls selling dried goods, fresh products, food, etc., making him expect the fairs to become increasingly crowded as the night went on.

Pussy willow, Photo by Bastille Post

Solanum mammosum, Photo by Bastille Post

Orchid, Photo by Bastille Post

While visiting the fair, Mr. John Lee also chatted with several citizens, asking children about their New Year's wishes. Besides offering New Year's blessings, he expressed his belief that Hong Kong's economy will continue to improve steadily in the coming year, urging citizens to work together to build a better life. He also took photos with secondary school students on the site, urging them to participate more in community work and be filial to their parents. Stating that young people are the hope of the future, Mr. John Lee wished the students academic success and good health.

Mr. John Lee (middle), Miss Alice Mak (left) and Mr. Tse Chin Wan (right), Photo by Bastille Post

Mr. John Lee, Photo by Bastille Post

Some elderly citizens asked to take photos with Mr. John Lee, which he readily agreed to, with Miss Alice Mak taking the pictures for them. Some children even shouted "Happy New Year, Mr. John Lee!" three times, creating a lively atmosphere.

Mr. Tse Chin Wan, Photo by Bastille Post

Furthermore, Mr. Tse Chin Wan stated that the Chinese New Year Fairs will be open all night on the Chinese New Year's Eve, welcoming citizens to come and enjoy themselves after the reunion dinner. He pointed out that this year's fair has featured multiple characteristic photo spots, resulting in overall visitor flow better than last year, with total sales increasing by 30%. Besides, Mr. Tse also wished citizens a prosperous Year of the Horse.