Lanterns, spirits and ghosts in Taipei’s festive seasons

Taipei is much more than a big and thriving city. It also beckons visitors with its age-old festivals that continue to be celebrated by the city’s residents.

The festive mood from the Chinese New Year, this year celebrated on Jan. 23, lingers on through the month of February. The peak of the Chinese New Year celebrations, which traditionally last for as long as 15 days, is marked in Taipei with its annual colorful lantern festival.

Foreign visitors and locals from every corner of the city take in the Taipei Lantern Festival, considered the grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations. During the festival’s duration from Feb. 2 to Feb. 12, they throng Taipei City Hall and the National Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall to view tens of thousands of colorful hanging lanterns of various sizes and shapes.

As 2012 is the Year of the Dragon in Chinese culture, the lantern designs are related to the mythical animal, according to .www.Sintour.com.

“The mascot — Happy Dragon of the 2012 Taipei Lantern Festival — represents hopes of a prosperous year,” the website says.

“The color on Happy Dragon signifies the colorful life of the people, flames of the Happy Dragon for vigorous business and prosperity, the sky-blue for skyrocketing fame, while the giant-size palms and feet represent down-to-earth attitude and a handful of luck to the people.”

If you visit Taipei and stay in Beitou District, you may be among the lucky people to receive a mini “Happy Dragon”. Beitou District will be one of the 12 Taipei districts where thousands of mini “Happy Dragon” will be distributed as part of the festival. The distribution of the mini “Happy Dragon” will start in early February.

The Taipei Lantern Festival is only one of the visitor attractions that reflect Taipei’s unique cultural identity and history. Several events are closely related to traditional beliefs about spirits.

Tomb Sweeping Day, also known as the “Eternal Brightness” (Qingming) Festival, held in May.

Families visit cemeteries and grave sites where they tidy up the premises and hang willow branches over the graves to fend off evil and the restless spirits which, locals fear, might disturb the quality of the ancestors’ afterlife. It is a way for relatives to pay respects to their loved ones and ancestors.

During the festival, children fly kites and many farmers ceremoniously plough their fields, an act which is believed to be a symbol of new life and renewal. Young single people are encouraged to begin new courtships at this time as part of a fresh beginning.

Dragon Boat Festival

The festival honors the Chinese poet Qu Yuan, who drowned in a river, but also wards off evil spirits. Visitors to the festival, held between April and June, will witness residents of Taipei drinking hsiung huang wine and giving fragrant sachets to children. Some people also hang moxa and calamus over their front door for good luck.

Traditionally, the festivities are held on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, with more than 100 entrants competing in the dragon boat races.

Ghost Month

A treat for all those fascinated by the scary specter of ghosts. The month runs from Aug. 17 to Sept. 15, with the ultimate Ghost Festival held on Aug. 30. It is believed that ghosts are released from the afterlife during the seventh lunar month and permitted one month of revelry among the living.

Taipei residents set out libations and offerings of food for the spirits to feast on and paper money is ceremoniously burned to line the ghosts’ pockets.

During the event, lanterns line the streets leading to temples, and some areas host parades.

Taipei’s rich cultural traditions offer something for everyone even in rapidly changing times. Start planning a trip now to enjoy the sight of dragons on the streets, or to catch a hopefully not to scary glimpse of
a ghost. — JP