Devotees pray for romantic happiness and harmony
GEORGE TOWN: Undeterred by pounding rain, hundreds of devotees thronged the Seng Hong Beow Temple in Jalan CY Choy here to celebrate the “Chinese Valentine’s Day”.
It is a celebration rooted in an over 2,600 year-old legend from the Han dynasty, and it is one of China’s longest-standing traditions.
With the temple undergoing renovation, the devotees went to a makeshift altar behind it, offering floral water, begonia powder, folded paper flowers and many other items to Zhu Sheng Ma, the Mother of Birth and Fertility, as well as to the Seven Sisters (the Emperor of Heaven’s seven daughters).
Tan Ai Leen and her partner, Chiang Kee Chuan, both 44, were first-time visitors to the temple for what is also known as the Double Seven Festival.
“Normally, we just pray at home or go out for dinner with loved ones, but this year we wanted something different,” said Tan, adding that she also came to the temple to express gratitude for finding love with her partner.
She said she had observed the Qixi tradition last year by collecting water out in the open air, between 5am and 7am, for bathing. The ritual is said to enhance beauty and bring blessings to young women.
Chiang, a restaurant owner, said he had wanted to make it a memorable occasion.
“I prayed for a long-term relationship, fortune and harmony in our lives,” he said.
Also at the venue was accountant Lim Hoon San, 29, who comes to the temple each year “to find true love”.
“Instead of meeting the right person, I usually end up with many admirers,” she laughed, adding that she has been visiting the temple since childhood.
The celebration takes place on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and commemorates the meeting of lovers Zhinu, a heavenly weaver girl, and Niulang, a cowherd.
The Qixi festival, or Qiqiao festival, is also called the Night of Sevens, or the Magpie festival.
