Queues at popular Goddess of Mercy Temple at Waterloo Street.I'm constantly amazed at the things ordinary Chinese folks do to increase wealth! The majority of commoners won't steal or rob. Other than buying lottery, they would also go to temples to pray for wealth.
So some clever people came up with a 'Borrow Wealth from the God' (借红包) idea.
The 'treasury of the Gods' is opened on a certain day in March and worshippers
Put the red packet in your purse or wallet and watch your money grow. My husband braved the crowds to get me one. Hope my wealth will grow ridiculously huge..... wait.... the Income Tax Department better not hear this.
You can get your fortune told at the many fortune-tellers' stalls scattered in front of the temple.
Wordless Wednesday
61 comments:
That's a good idea, I should introduce that here too, especially I live in a whole town called Waterloo and not only a street, lol !
Hey gattina,
We can have it franchised! hehe...
Well, if all of us looking at these pictures and reading about it add our energy to the wish to get rich, hopefully the money will come pouring in. Good luck!
Very interesting. Is that an annual tradition or was it a one-time event? Just curious.
My WW post is up, if you'd like to stop by.
stephanie,
It's an annual event. :)
hahah!! I must get some too! Wait for me, Chris!
I love your first picture. It is so colorful and full of interest!
Wow, those are some crowds. Hope it works and you become fabulously wealthy! Happy WW!
Only time will tell. And then not for sure, I guess. LOL!
hey nice pictures!
Do they have follow up reports to see how well people do?
Wahhh!! Wo yeh yao!!
Err, wait.. borrow d, must return? High interest ka? Heheh...
this is wordless indeed! my WW is up.
Another info,I gathered.Thanks. When do they return it?
Happy WW!
Lb,
Yes, get one! Let's get filthy rich together and then laze around the Ho Kwai Fun Resort the whole day!
marcia,
Usually when people made their fortunes, they would give offerings of a whole roast pig, and of course pay back the loan by donating a big amount of money. :)
My angel,
Should pay back double or more than what you took. If you strike it rich, of course should donate a sum to the temple.
Cannot cheat the Gods you know! hehe...
maya,
They return it the next year. Then they can borrow again. hehe....
Hey I could use one of those. Does it cancel out the need to actually work for a living?
Robin,
lol.... you still have to work to get money, so that it can multiple!
The things people do for money ...
Very very interesting!! I learned something today with your W W help!!
My W W is shared, a virtual slideshow of flowers in our yard right now, I hope you can stop by to visit if you have time.
Wow that's pretty interesting. It might work to some though.
Thanks for dropping by!
That's a good idea like gattina said. But do they put interest on the loan? (Lol)
Very interesting! Great shots!
That is such a fun and interesting idea :) I want one now .. :) Happy WW
If you go to Boroburdur, do the sunrise tour! It was amazing we climbed up in the dark then as the sun rose the temple was revealed around and below us. WOW!
I was given a red packet with money inside when me eldest daughter was born. I still have it---but no wealth---unles you count wealth not as money but happiness. MB
Hmmm, sounds like you still have to work to multiply the money. Nope, not interested. I'd rather buy lottery tickets!!!
That's really neat! You got some good pics too. I don't remember if it came from the Chinese or not but someone told me to keep my toilet seats down to keep my money from "going down the drain."
Great story! What a fun event and I like the idea of returning double (at least) if you increase your wealth! Fun and a great way to take a chance without risking a lot.
I would like to have back all the money I've spent on the lottery(s) here with nothing to show for it but lots of pink and white tickets.
Happy WW!
How interesting.
I still can't understand the functions behind borrowing money from the Gods...even though my dad would queue to get those red packets for each of us in the family.
What an interesting and marvelous custom, eastcoast! It looks like a really enjoyable day!
My WW post "Living Small on the Lower East Side" is part of a series by a photographer who has been photographing the Lam family in their home (2 rooms)for a while. Here's the link if you are interested: 2 Rooms on Ludlow
I am sending 'money vibes' your way. OOOOOOOHHHHHHHHMMMMMMMMM. There - you should be wealthy any day now.
if i were anywhere near that temple...i would have been in line as well! :)
happy everyday! :D
Mapped Memories
Cafe Munchkin
What a great idea! Thanks so much for explaining the picture! Thanks so much for stopping by :)
hehe ... this looks so familiar! :)
I was there too! To borrow Hong Bao plus to return Hong Bao too! :)
Happy WW. Mine is yet to come.
Interesting post - thanks for sharing!
I'll be the next queing in the line :)Who doesn't want to be rich after all :)
Happy WW!
..lining up for goodies.. :)
happy WW!
Really got such thing? I really donch noe!
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing and for the visit.
Interesting tradition, too many people. Happy WW! (belated)
uh, i need a proxy to represent me at next time it rolls around. any volunteers? ;)
happy ww.
Phew! Singaporean just like to believe these things!!
look at the crowd! faint!
you won't find me there! :P
What people to for living is one thing, another thing is what so many people do in hope for a fortune - instead of hard work.
only $$ hor ... ask for other thing cannot hor?
cheerio,
The borrowers need to return it with double or multiple amount of the sum of money. Quite high loan interest in percentage term!
oceanskies,
Your Dad is so sweet to get you the red packets. You know, he has to queue for hours and sometimes in the hot sun!
pinkhippo,
Oh... you modern girl also believe ah! hehe.... Next year we go together. :)
tigerfish,
You really Singaporean anot? So many things don't know geh! Where were you and what were you doing all those years in Singapore?
*piak piak*
mama of 2fellas
On this particular day, the worshippers go to the temple to borrow and return red packets. There are too many people at the temple.
You can ask for wealth, blessings, marriage.... etc on normal days.
Income tax nightmare about to start...zzZzzz
Woman, I heard from a friend. Each person is take 4 leh! Not go take 4 and share with 4 persons. Something like money from all directions 东南西北 for the person that borrow the angpows
Hearsay lar dunno true or not :P
Hope you HUAT HUAT arh!!
Oh, I didn't know until I read your post.
nice pictures and well explained on the celebration.. i wish you and your family with full of health and wealth...
Great idea - interesting post - so I won't tell the Tax Department then :lol:
It would be interesting to find out what percentage of people got their wish.
Those are interesting,ECL! Sorry, took me forever to get back here..Just busy:) See you in PH in a bit!
this is ridiculous! singaporeans practice the most warped version of buddhism. i am aghast at all these superstitious and mystical rubbish.
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