Getting Burned at Taiwan Fireworks Ritual

STORY:
Being burned by fireworks is usually avoided, but for Taiwanese who willingly subject themselves to an explosive barrage, it's all about good fortune.

In one of Taiwan's wildest but least-known rituals to mark the end of Lunar New Year, five men in the southern city of Taitung asked to be showered with—and burned by—fireworks.

Traditionally, the targets endure the pain to get rid of evil spirits and change their luck for the year ahead. The men let themselves get burned to show strength and bring prosperity to the local merchant who hired them.

Twenty-one-year-old Bo Lin volunteered to be blasted for the second year, and he said the past experience has made his will power strong enough to endure the pain.

[Bo Lin, Volunteer]:
"I had an experience last year, so this year I feel a bit more prepared and not as scared."

The ritual also attracted visitors coming from another city for a different experience.

[Hsieh Yi-sheng, Volunteer]:
"I have been through some rough life experiences, so I wish this ritual could make me reborn in the fire."

The ritual's namesake, Han Dan, is said to be a god of wealth who likes fire but fears the cold, so believers throw firecrackers to please him.

Bo emerged from the ritual with small burns all over his tattooed, largely unclothed body after letting about 30 men throw wads of firecrackers at him while he rode in a sedan carriage.

About 1,000 people watched from the street.

This year, a local jeweler hired Bo and the other four men to improve its own fortunes.

[Wang Cheng-fu, Taitung Event Organizer]:
"It is said that bombarding Han Dan makes people wealthy by attracting the gods of wealth. The more it is bombarded, the more prosperous the business is. The belief becomes a custom, a faith system, then a culture in Taitung."

All the men were "bombed" for about two minutes each, as onlookers applauded while ducking the flaming debris of firecrackers that missed their marks.

Sometimes the wounds on the men could be so severe that they can't walk for a week, but the more experienced ones last for more than 10 minutes, said Wang.

Despite the risks, Taitung has allowed the ritual to be held for most of the past 50 years and has started to promote it as a tourist attraction.

Some spectators go just for a blast. Others see the event as maintaining tradition.

Each fire blasting show, including the fireworks and the gold medals given out to the wounded volunteers, costs the equivalent of 2,000 U.S. Dollars.

Category:

News & Politics

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[Sicilian49]

I am speechless, I wonder if cutting off your balls can bring wealth, would you do it?

[lewandlo]

someone should throw a string of fire crackers but two strings attatched together so they hang on them lololol that would be sooo funny hahaha

[ajlisknillat]

haha that looks crazy jut gotta favorite thisone bcs that was some tru spirit of pyrotechnics haha nah idk but it is a big dedication of wealth haha:D amazing they do it year after year.. insane..

[AnimeImaginator147]

Whoa. Crazy stuff hm.