HONG KONG

HOLIDAY

21 - Sunday, February 4, 1990 - North Shore News

Colony is a land ruled by age-old culture

THE WESTERN world is well ac- quainted with the cuisine of Hong Kong and its many tasty delicacies.

However, what is less familiar is what each delicious mouthful symbolizes.

Hong Kong is a place where superstition is a learned science. It is alive in business, in the home, in life and after.

In this fascinating territory, one of the first places where a visitor is likely to experience some of the age-old rituals is while dining. Here, an important rule, in this land of fishing villages, insists that a fish is never turned over on the plate.

This would symbolize the capsiz- ing of a fisherman’s boat and tempt fate.

Longevity ig symbolized in many dishes which include deer (on which the God of Longevity rides), or turtle and carp (both of which live longer than man).

Peaches are good luck charms, and fat choy (sea moss) is known to bring prosperity.

Another powerful belief which governs Hong Kong life is ‘‘Fung Shui.’ The translation of ‘‘Fung Shui’? — ‘‘windwater’? — provides a clue to its meaning.

Believers in Fung Shui set out to balance the eléments of nature, and the forces of Yin (female and passive) and Yang (male and ac- tive) that control the world.

The basis of Fung Shui is rooted in ancient Chinese folk culture. In the 12th century, scholars systematized the classical writings

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For many Hong Kong people, those writings determine what to respect and what never to ignore.

Some say Fung Shui is in place so that no generation will ever lose sight of common sense.

Since then, these writings have been studied for decades by geomancers, who are highly tegarded as masters of an ancient metaphysical science. In day-to- day living, Hong Kong people rely on a simplified version of the geomancer's craft in their efforts to ensure health, wealth and hap- piness for themselves and their families.

An example of good Fung Shui in a family dwelling is first to own a home that faces in the ap- propriate direction -- usually south, overlooking untroubled water. It will have a gently-sloped hillside behind it, and water runn- ing down the hill beside it.

Decors must not open directly to the outside world, so that evil spirits cannot enter easily, nor can your good fortune run out of the house.

**Lucky”’’ corners of the rooms must be guarded and decorated with the right sort of ‘money tree’. Certain. large leafed plants will help one accumulate money and good fortune. Neglected plants will promote the decline of health and wealth,

Under the threat of bad Fung Shui, many Hong Kong people will try to change their destiny by pur- suing high ideals, giving anony-

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mous donations to charity, or becoming vegetarian. They may also call in geomancers to deflect

worshippers to pray to their ancestor’s spirits. In temples, fam- ifies pray to photographs cf those

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On the seventh moon, communities gather for the “‘Hungry Ghosts Festival’’ where unworshipped ghosts are freed for one month — to be

appeased.

the evil spirits which are responsi- ble for the bad luck.

Heng Kong life is also deeply religious. The people’s ac- cumulated wisdom and closeness to the supernatural powers-tivat-be are woven into the two major religions of modern Hong Kong — Taoism or Buddhism.

It is an everyday occurrence for

in the after-life and many possess a strong belief in ghosts.

On the seventh moon, com- munities gather for the ‘Hungry Ghosts Festival’ where unworship- ped ghosts are freed for one month — to be appeased.

Other colorful gatherings dot the Chinese lunar calendar year with grand feasts and fanfare. In fact, it

seems as if Hong Kong is always celebrating.

The grandest of all is the Lunar New Year which falls around Feb- ruary. This is followed by other festivals such as the Yuen Siu (Lantern) Festival, the Birthday of Tin Hau (Goddess of the Sea), the Tuen Ng (Dragon Boat) Festival, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Chung Yeung Festival — a legend which sends local residents to the hills.

Pay a visit to Hong Kong and discover its many traditions that have been held sacred: Chinese customary law, ancient religious beliefs, folklore, superstitions, for- tune-telling practices, wedding customs and festivals. They have thrived for centuries, making this intriguing land what it is today.

They provide an endless variety of unexpected, magical experiences for all visitors to Hong Kong.

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