CNY 2010 Day 9: Fireworks @ bai tian gong aka 拜天公

At Lunar New Year Day 9, the Hokkien will hold a Jade Emperor ritual (bai tian gong or 拜天公) which incenses are burnt and food offerings are made to the Jade Emperor and also to Zao Jun, the god of kitchen who reports to the Emperor on each family. It was the birthday of the Jade Emperor who is the Taoist ruler of Heaven based on folks culture. In actual Taoism, Jade Emperor governs all the mortal's realm and below. (Information from: Wikipedia) It is a common practice to hold the ritual prayer at late night passing 12 am on CNY Day 8. In Malaysia, prayers usually will light the fireworks during the prayer. The fireworks displayed is of much greater number and intensity compared to the one burnt during the CNY Day 1 prayers. Hence, it is a common perception that the Hokkien people are richer than the others. In my observation, it seem that the fireworks display this year was greater than previous year. The police patrol car already start patrolling my area at approximately 9.30 pm. You know what they were here for right?

The releasing of wishing lantern by my friend, Yen Moi's family

It is a norm for the prayers to release the wishing lantern aka 孔明灯 aka kong ming lantern up to the sky. Prayers will hand write their wishes on the wishing lantern before the candle inside the lantern is lighted.

May your wishes become true

After the candle is lighted, wait for a few minute then release it off. It will then 'fly' up freely to the sky. It is hope that the wishes will be fulfilled. This wishing lantern was invented by 诸葛孔明（即诸葛亮) aka zhu ge liang. Basically, there is a simple science theory on why this lantern can 'fly' up to the sky. When the candle is burnt, oxygen will be used up leading to vacuum conditions (if it is a closed container) and together with the heat produced causes the lowering of pressure inside the lantern. The differences in pressure will push the lantern upwards. Alright, that's all for the history and bai tian kong celebration of my friend, Yen Moi's family. Back to myself, I am not a 'hokkien lang' but a Cantonese Chinese. However, I do share the bizarre and bombastic night by capturing the fireworks display at my housing area. WARNING: The below pictures was captured by the person you known who are noob in photography. Pic 1: ISO 400, 0'3, F8.0 Try click to enlarge the photo. Kind of like the effect. Pic 2: ISO 400, 0'3, F8.0 Pic 3: ISO 400, 0'8, F8.0 Pic 4: ISO 400, 0'8, F8.0 Pic 5: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 6: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 7: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 8: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 9: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 10: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 11: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 12: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 13: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 14: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 15: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 16: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 17: ISO 80, 1', F8.0 Pic 18: ISO 80, 1'3, F8.0 Pic 19: ISO 80, 1'6, F8.0 Pic 20: ISO 80, 1'3, F8.0 Pic 21: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 22: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 23: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0 Pic 24: ISO 80, 0'6, F8.0