惊蛰日，虎爷开口,
拜虎爷, 打小人
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Today is the annual Jing-Zhe (惊蛰) also known as The Day Of White Tiger Open It's Mouth (白虎开口日). Some people would perform the "Hit The Villain" ritual in Chinese temples that worship the Tiger deity.
"Hit The Villain" is a custom believed to beat away bad luck caused by enemies. In Singapore, it is practised in several temples to preserve this cultural heritage as it contains Chinese meteorology and Chinese folk custom.
Tiger deity (祭白虎)
This ancient Chinese ritual is performed using a slipper to hit an effigy, at the same time chanting to put a curse on the intended subject.
Other good days to perform "Hit The Villain" ritual based on our Chinese calender :
1) every 6th of lunar month
2) every 16th of lunar month
3) every 26th of lunar month
4) on the day that states Chu Ri (除日) in Chinese almanac
Interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing ECL. :)
Fun ritual :)
DeleteI didn't realize that this tradition was practiced in Singapore too! Thought it was peculiar to Hong Kong as I never saw it when growing up in Penang! :O
ReplyDeleteI read about it and watched a video on this tradition in Hong Kong. I only found it being practised in Singapore a few years ago. It's getting more popular now. :D
DeleteThis is the first I've heard of this custom I should try it! :)
ReplyDeleteHmm....My mom dont encourage this coz she said hit more then more will appear. But think of it also true lah. coz rules of karma.
ReplyDeleteNice to know about this.
ReplyDeleteTerrific pictures.
Yes, I tried 打小人 before, don't really believe in it la but then somehow feel better after doing that :p
ReplyDelete