People are gathering at a temple in Pingtung to try to change their luck in an unusual way.
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In a unique display of faith and tradition, crowds gather at Donglong temple in Pingtung’s Donggang Township to participate in a century-old custom for a “change of luck,” which involves getting spanked. The ritual, believed to drive away bad luck, has become increasingly popular as the Lunar New Year begins.
The ceremony comes in two forms: the "big change" involves being spanked with different implements based on one's gender and age—bamboo canes for children, red whips for unmarried women, and black whips for married individuals. The "small change” is gentler, where a temple official waves a deity's flag over the participant to ward off misfortune.
One participant who underwent the ritual described it as quite painful. He is participating because he has been feeling unwell lately, and his family hopes this will help improve his luck. Before any spanking takes place, temple official Liu Chi-fa (劉其發) explains that permission must first be granted by the deity through traditional divination methods, such as casting divination blocks.