V-Day Celebration-??? (Bai Tian Gong)

P1210143

Yes, we had a not so romantic v-day celebration this year because it coincides with the eight day of Chinese New Year (bai tin gong). Nevertheles, KampungBoy enjoyed himself tremendously for taking part in such ceremony for the very first time while I had so much fun meeting my friends and relatives. Our place is crowded by friends and relatives, chatting away or trying on their luck on a game or two while waiting for the clock to strike midnight.

I can still recall the story behind BaiTinGong vividly – During the Song Dynasty (Mongols), a massive massacre happened to the clans in Southern China (Fujian, Henan, etc) because the clans are seen as a threat to Mongols’ kingdom. The Hokkiens ran for their life and they hide themselves under clusters of sugarcane. After days of locating them but no avail, the Mongols left. It was the dawn of the ninth day of CNY. So, the Hokkiens believe that their life and prosperity are granted by the heavenly god (tian gong) and sugarcane plants are their refuge. Up to today, the Hokkiens still regard the ninth day of CNY as a significant day and a pair of sugarcane that resemble unity and strength was placed on both side of the offering table main gate.

P1210079

P1210106

P1210097

P1210123

Paper piles that will be burned after the prayers ritual

P1210111

Sugar tower

P1210130

Roasted pig

2

3

1

P1210178

Did you watch the Digi Feng Sui Master advertisement? Hoping that every corner of our house will be a “hou wong” (very yellow) spot, my dad came out with a somewhat quirky idea that whoever who turn up in yellow outfit will stand a chance to win cash prizes. My mum was one of the people who wore yellow that night too!

  • Share/Bookmark

14 Responses to this post.

  1. Jian aka Cokeworld Citizen's Gravatar

    Posted by Jian aka Cokeworld Citizen on March 1, 2008 at 7:42 pm

    Wah one dulang full of jelly!!!!!!!!!!!!Mix mix wan!!Santan and pandan izzit?

    Omg so much food. Your ‘bai ti gong’ so grand!

    Aiks so many fried wantans as well! This year cny missed alot…so much for the *toot* assignments…

    [Reply]

  2. Anonymous's Gravatar

    Posted by Anonymous on March 2, 2008 at 7:49 am

    MMmmm…haven’t seen sugar towers like those before, interesting.

    [Reply]

  3. wmw's Gravatar

    Posted by wmw on March 2, 2008 at 7:50 am

    Mmm…haven’t seen sugar towers like those before, interesting!

    [Reply]

  4. Kenny Mah's Gravatar

    Posted by Kenny Mah on March 2, 2008 at 8:53 am

    Wah… everyone so kuning, er, “wong” one har? There must be a stock of pineapples (“ong lai”) hidden somewhere in the house, yes? Hehe.

    [Reply]

  5. Christine's Gravatar

    Posted by Christine on March 2, 2008 at 9:25 am

    I went bai tian gong too on V day ;P
    so much food and offerings! :)

    [Reply]

  6. Mama BoK's Gravatar

    Posted by Mama BoK on March 2, 2008 at 5:04 pm

    Wow..!! what a celebration..!

    [Reply]

  7. Simon Seow's Gravatar

    Posted by Simon Seow on March 2, 2008 at 9:43 pm

    Oh, didn’t know the story behind all this while. I’m Cantonese mah, we don’t Bai Ting Gong. Usually will go to friend’s house that do this ceremony.

    [Reply]

  8. Lyrical Lemongrass's Gravatar

    Posted by Lyrical Lemongrass on March 3, 2008 at 4:09 am

    I’ve never participated in such a massive celebration before. Looks like fun!!

    [Reply]

  9. lotsofcravings's Gravatar

    Posted by lotsofcravings on March 3, 2008 at 4:42 am

    hahah ok wat..can celebrate with a roast pig!

    [Reply]

  10. mimi's Gravatar

    Posted by mimi on March 3, 2008 at 6:23 am

    only aunties wear in yellow?hehe….

    [Reply]

  11. Nic (KHKL)'s Gravatar

    Posted by Nic (KHKL) on March 3, 2008 at 6:32 am

    to some, this festival is even more significant than chap goh meh…whatever it is, as long as there’s good food, it’s a celebration! hehe….i always eye on the roasted pig :)

    [Reply]

  12. Big Boys Oven's Gravatar

    Posted by Big Boys Oven on March 3, 2008 at 9:27 am

    Walio! next must not forget toi invite us! promise ?

    [Reply]

  13. jason's Gravatar

    Posted by jason on March 4, 2008 at 4:47 am

    CityGal, you’re making me miss the CNY food! *tsk tsk*
    Nice idea your dad had there. ;)

    [Reply]

  14. kampungboycitygal's Gravatar

    Posted by kampungboycitygal on March 6, 2008 at 5:09 am

    jian: haha yeah ur correct!! santan and pandan..come next yr la..can stay with me

    wmw: noone dare to put that into their mouth..too much of colouring

    kenny: aww ur so right..gosh pineapple tarts are like the best thing to eat during cny

    christine: haha at least u went to luna :p

    mamabok: yeah once a yr :P

    simon: im not hokkien too :)

    ll: yeah u shud come n experience it

    lotsofcravings: hahaha not romantic ma

    mimi: yeah its too untrendy for us

    nic: yeah its like a big thing for my family

    bbo: haha sure

    jason: oohh im so sorry hehe

    [Reply]

Respond to this post

CommentLuv Enabled

Related Posts Widget for Blogs by LinkWithin