The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance, which lasts for three nights during the Mid-Autumn Festival, began in the late 19th century when a plague afflicted Tai Hang village. A village elder, guided by a dream from Guanyin, the goddess of mercy in Chinese mythology, was told that a fire dragon dance and firecrackers would end the plague. The ritual worked, leading to an annual vow of gratitude.
A new fire dragon is created each year, comprising a head, tail and a 67-metre body with 31 sections, crafted from rattan, ropes and pearl straws. Thousands of incense sticks are embedded, transforming it into a fiery, smoky serpent when lit. The head alone can weigh more than 40 kilograms.
The Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance was added to China’s National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2011. Photos: Huy Truong
The dance is a fun event for the whole family. Photo: Huy Truong
A man burns incense during the event. Photo: Huy Truong
Fire dragon performers top up the incense embedded in the dragon. They rest the dragon in the middle of the main performance area, take out the burnt incense and add new sticks. Photo: Huy Truong
Children can participate in the event too, like those carrying a dragon made from LED lights instead of incense. Photo: Huy Truong
Approximately 300 people navigate the dragon through Tai Hang’s narrow streets. Photo: Huy Truong
