Culture

Pigs of God

The heavist pig in 2012. On the 6th day of the Chinese lunar year, the Tsuhsih Temple in Sanxia holds a pigs of God contest where the aim is to raise the fattest pig. The controversial practice is opposed by animal rights activists. In 2012 the winning pig weighed in at 1061kg. Sanxia, Taiwan, 28 January 2012 (Craig Ferguson)

One of the more controversial festivals that takes place in Taiwan is the Pigs of God festival held by the Tsuhsih Temple in Sanxia, a small town close to Taipei. It takes place on the 6th day of the lunar year, is dedicated to Master Chingshui’s birthday and attracts tens of thousands of spectators. The main feature of the event, and the reason for the controversy, is that it’s essentially a competition to raise the fattest pig. This year, a new record size was set with the heaviest animal weighing in at a staggering 1061 kilograms (2334lbs). Chen Hsien-teh, the owner of the winning pig, fed it with 15kg of oatmeal and rice every morning and night for a period of 22 months.

Enter The Dragon – Chinese New Year

Worshippers pass under lanterns at Longshan Temple to bring luck at the start of the Chinese lunar new year. 2012 is the year of the dragon, considered the luckiest of the Chinese zodiac (Craig Ferguson)

Across the Chinese world, millions are this week celebrating the lunar new year. 2012 is the year of the dragon, believed to be the most auspicious sign in the Chinese zodiac. The festival marks a time for family reunion, fun, and prays for a successful and prosperous year. Whether it’s China, Taiwan, Singapore or other countries with a large population of Chinese, or smaller communities in countries where they are a minority, both the devout and the layman make pilgrimage to temples to light incense, leave offerings, seek knowledge of their fortunes and chant prayers for the new year.

Lunar New Year Markets

Auspicious characters in gold and red for lunar new year at Dihua Street New Year Market which attracts people from all over Taiwan in the lead up to the lunar New Year. Here they stock up on snacks, sweets, candy and other Chinese New Year essestials. (Craig Ferguson)

The Chinese year of the dragon begins in a few days and all over the Chinese world, people are flocking to new year markets. The dragon is considered the most auspicious sign of the Chinese zodiac and shoppers are out early to ensure they have everything they need to see in the new year. In Taiwan, the Dihua St market is one of the best known and most loved. In the days and weeks leading up to the festival, the streets in the area are packed with people lining up to buy traditional foods such as dried mushroom and dried day lily, grab themselves a few bags of dried fruit or colorful candy, and purchase lucky red envelopes and couplets. Most vendors offer samples of their goods are the curious to taste test, and a trip to the market makes for a colorful and fun trip for tourists.

Archive

Pigs of God

Archive

Enter The Dragon – Chinese New Year

Archive

Lunar New Year Markets