The Fiery Dragon Ritual: A Century-Old Tradition in Hong Kong

On the 14th day of the eighth lunar month, the streets and alleys of Tai Hang in Causeway Bay come alive as the century-old "Fire Dragon Dance" awakens at dusk. The 67-meter-long dragon, crafted with rattan as its skeleton and wrapped in pearl grass, is adorned with thousands of incense sticks, creating a spectacle of fiery brilliance resembling a galaxy descending to earth. Amid the thunderous sound of gongs and drums, 300 strong men lift the 45-kilogram dragon head, performing formations like "Dragon's Tail Swing" and "Dragon Unity." The glowing incense trails light through the air, and smoke drifts across the century-old tenement buildings and neon-lit walls, evoking a time-traveling ritual to ward off plagues. Legend has it that in 1880, during a devastating plague, villagers crafted a grass dragon and paraded it for three nights, using sulfur and firecrackers to dispel the calamity. Since then, the Fire Dragon has become a symbol of protection for the community. Today, the ritual begins with a consecration ceremony at Lin Fa Temple, where incense smoke swirls before the statue of Guanyin. The dragon's body is lit section by section, and devotees eagerly collect the used incense sticks, believing they bring blessings and safety to their homes. As night deepens, the Fire Dragon makes its way to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter, where participants lift the dragon and cast it into the sea. The waves wash away misfortune, leaving behind the prayerful wish of "Dragon Returns to the Ocean" carried away by the tide. This tradition intertwines with modernity—youngsters wield LED-lit miniature dragons alongside elders dancing with the fiery long dragon. In cultural centers, scaled-down dragon head models narrate the transformation of a Hakka fishing village into a bustling metropolis. At street corners, elderly women offer Dragon Beard Candy, its crispy texture mingling with the faint scent of incense ash, embodying the city's essence: a blend of fervent century-old beliefs and the resilience of coexistence between old and new. As the Fire Dragon passes through the lantern-lit Victoria Park, who among the modern folds glimpses the enduring spark of this timeless tradition?