Hong Kong worshippers line up to ‘borrow money’ from goddess Kwum Yum
PUBLISHED : Monday, 16 March, 2015, 11:11am
UPDATED : Monday, 16 March, 2015, 3:02pm
Danny Mok [email protected]
About 1,000 worshippers queued last night outside the Kwun Yum Temple in Hung Hom. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Hongkongers hoping for a prosperous year queued last night to borrow “money” from goddess of mercy Kwun Yum in an annual ritual believed to bring good luck.
Crowds began queuing on Saturday at temples dedicated to the goddess, which opened at 11pm yesterday, for the event held on the 26th day of the first lunar month.
About 1,000 worshippers queued last night outside the Kwun Yum Temple in Hung Hom while crowds flocked to the Lotus Palace in Tai Hang and Tin Hau Temple in Shau Kei Wan. Worshippers paid HK$45 to borrow a red note inscribed with an imaginary sum of money, usually worth millions of dollars.
They also take home a lettuce and a lai see envelope full of peanuts, lotus seeds and other nuts symbolising a prosperous year. They have to return the notes before the following Lunar New Year.
At the temple at Hung Hom, the amounts available ranged from HK$30 million to HK$1 billion.
Hundreds of worshippers lined up outside the Lotus Palace in Tai Hang on Monday. Photo: Felix Wong
Mr Yu, a man in his 20s was first in line outside the temple. He said his whole family worshipped the goddess and that he wanted her to grant a smooth career path and good health. He said he was happy after receiving HK$30 million.
A Mr Wong, who works in the finance industry, said he was not satisfied after being offered a loan of HK$180 million.
“You still have to work after getting the money. There’s no point being idle after getting the loan,” he said, adding that he also prayed for good health and peace for himself and his family.
The treasury opening day will run until 8pm today at Hung Hom and 6pm at Tai Hang and Shau Kei Wan.
