盂蘭節「化大士」火化鬼王 Burning Ghost King at Yulan Fest

五米高青面獠牙的的「大士王」(又名鬼王),由色彩鮮艷的紙和竹紮作,農曆7月15日,在筲箕灣南安坊坊眾會最後一天的「化大士」儀式,被火化為灰燼,恭送其離開。

五米高的「大士王」(又名鬼王),由色彩鮮艷的紙和竹紮作,在筲箕灣盂蘭勝會最後一天的「化大士」儀式,被火化為灰燼,恭送其離開。

農曆7月14-15日,筲箕灣南安坊坊眾會舉行盂蘭勝會。在一連兩天的盂蘭祭祀活動中,供奉青面獠牙的「大士王」紙紮像。「大士王」相傳是觀音的化身及各鬼魂的首領,又稱「鬼王」,可管理和震懾群鬼。

根據中國傳統習俗,在農曆七月慶祝盂蘭節,亦稱鬼節。當地獄之門暫時打開,遊魂野鬼在街上流連。基於善心,許多華人社區在路邊燒紙衣和紙錢來施食,努力安撫這些遊魂。

The 5-metre tall Ghost King, aka King of Hell and made of colourful paper and bamboo, being the signature figure of Yulan (Hungry Ghost) Festival is burnt to ashes on the last day of the celebration in Shaukeiwan on Wednesday.

On the 14th-15th of the 7th month on lunar calendar, the Yulan Fest was held at Shaukeiwan Nam On Fong-chung (Neighbourhood) Association.  In the 2-day Yulan celebration, a paper-bamboo statue of the “Ghost King” was enshrined.  According to legend, The Ghost King is the incarnation of Avalokitesvara and the leader of the ghosts. It can manage and lord over the ghosts.

Yulan Festival falls the 7th lunar month when the gate of hell is temporarily opened when wandering spirits and ghosts lingered on the street. People make offerings to appease these transient spirits.

楊必興 P H Yang