The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, a tradition rooted in the history of a small Hakka fishing and farming village, was first performed in 1880. According to oral history, the ceremony began after villagers killed a python that had been devouring livestock, only to be struck by a severe plague shortly thereafter. The superstitious community believed this outbreak was retribution for killing the serpent, which they considered the son of the dragon god. The suffering persisted until a village elder claimed that Guanyin, the goddess of mercy, appeared in a dream and instructed them to perform the Fire Dragon Dance and set off firecrackers to end the affliction. Following these actions, the plague reportedly vanished, establishing an annual tradition intended to ward off famine.
The centerpiece of the event is a massive dragon effigy constructed from rattan frames, ropes, iron wires, and straw. A new dragon is built every year over a two-week period, measuring 67 meters in length and weighing just over 100 kilograms. The structure consists of 31 sections, with the head alone weighing more than 45 kilograms and requiring a rotating team of eight to ten performers to carry it.
The ceremony takes place on the evenings of the 14th, 15th, and 16th days of the 8th lunar month. It begins at the Lin Fa Kung temple with an eye-dotting ritual symbolizing the dragon's awakening. The procession then moves to Wun Sha Street, where between 10,000 and 12,000 lit incense sticks are inserted into the dragon before it winds through the streets of Tai Hang. At the conclusion of the parade, these incense sticks are distributed to the audience as tokens of blessings and good fortune.
On the final night, the event concludes with a ritual known as 'Dragon returning to Heaven.' The fire dragon is maneuvered to the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter and launched into Victoria Harbour, signifying the removal of misfortune. For those unable to attend during the festival window, the Tai Hang Fire Dragon Heritage Centre, located in an old school building on School Street, offers a small exhibit detailing the dance's significance.
Visitors planning to attend should note that Tai Hang is fenced off from around 5 PM on the days of the dance, requiring entry via a slow traffic flow system. The eye-dotting and initial ceremonies start at 7 PM, with the main parade beginning around 8:15 PM and running until 10:30 PM. On the actual night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the parade extends to Victoria Park, concluding at 11:30 PM.
Sources: Atlas Obscura.