New Southbound Policy Portal

Photo Essay—Burning the Wangye Boat

Wangye Worshipping Ceremony--Burning the Wangye Boat (photo by Jimmy Lin)

Wangye Worshipping Ceremony--Burning the Wangye Boat (photo by Jimmy Lin)

Burning the Wangye Boat

Burning the Wangye Boat

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(1)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

Deity sedan bearers from the seven traditional communities of Donggang march in the parade that welcomes the arrival of their Wangye deities. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

Deity sedan bearers from the seven traditional communities of Donggang march in the parade that welcomes the arrival of their Wangye deities. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

The seven headsman positions are hereditary, and their outfits and hats reveal an antiquated and idiosyncratic flair. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

The seven headsman positions are hereditary, and their outfits and hats reveal an antiquated and idiosyncratic flair. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

Believers down on their luck or suffering ailments come to Wangye in ceremonial cangues, praying for a turn in their fortunes. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

Believers down on their luck or suffering ailments come to Wangye in ceremonial cangues, praying for a turn in their fortunes. (photo by Chuang Kung-ju)

Sedan bearers bow down to their deity.

Sedan bearers bow down to their deity.

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(2)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(3)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(4)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(5)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(6)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(7)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(8)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(9)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

photo by Chuang Kung-ju(10)

photo by Chuang Kung-ju

Burning the Wangye Boat

 

Wearing colorful outfits, the sedan bearers pull the Wangye boat through the streets of Donggang. The parade makes for a magnificent spectacle. (photo by Jimmy Lin)

Wearing colorful outfits, the sedan bearers pull the Wangye boat through the streets of Donggang. The parade makes for a magnificent spectacle. (photo by Jimmy Lin)

In the early morning, worshippers coming from near and far gather on a beach at Zhenhai Park in Pingtung’s Donggang, to celebrate the return of Qiansui and the other Wangye deities from their eight-day pilgrimage of surrounding areas. People are busily erecting the mast of the Wangye boat and hoisting its lanterns and sails. At the appointed signal, ceremonial officials light firecrackers and set fire to the boat. They thus send off Qiansui, who takes plagues with him, bringing to a close the Sacrifice of Peace ceremony.