There are many traditions and rituals that people undergo to ensure a happy and prosperous Lunar New Year. However, some of them require a lot of time and patience to make sure that the coming year is a good one.
Video script:
The sun isn’t even out yet and one can hardly see the end of the line. This isn’t a line to buy in-demand concert tickets. Rather, people are lining up to have a lantern lit at Long Shan Temple to receive blessings from the gods for the coming Lunar New Year.
The gentleman first in line said that he has been in line for eight days already. He and his relatives take turns to hold their spot to ensure that he will get a lantern for his children and for his mom.
In the first day alone, all 800 available spots were quickly snapped up in just 40 minutes, with a huge crowd of people waiting for their number to be called.
There are several lanterns to choose from, including the Guang Ming for a smooth education and career, the Ping An for peace, the Tsai Shen dedicated to the god of wealth, the Yao Shih dedicated to the medicine buddha, and the Chi Hsiang lantern for prosperity.
Longshan Temple Chairman Huang Shu-wei (黃書瑋) said that although spots are limited to 800 a day, there should be enough for everyone to get a lantern before Lunar New Year’s Eve.
According to temple statistics, there are already 250,000 people who have registered to have lanterns lit. The public is also encouraged to use the temple’s online system to avoid the long lines while in pursuit of a bright new year.