Yang Shihan: Experiencing Chaoshan’s “Ying Laoye” — Where Faith Meets Fireworks and Tradition

Every year during the first lunar month, the region of Chaoshan awakens with a surge of unique cultural energy and festive excitement.

Deafening drums and gongs, fluttering ceremonial banners, the rapid crackle of firecrackers, and crowds filling every street and alley—together they create one of the most iconic folk traditions deeply rooted in the spirit of the Chaoshan people: Ying Laoye (Parading the Deities).

 

 

It is not merely a deity procession, but a living cultural ritual that has been passed down for more than a century. For the people of Chaoshan, it represents the most sincere expression of devotion—to their homeland, to their deities, and to the rhythm of everyday life.

I. What is "Ying Laoye"?

In the Chaoshan dialect, “Ying” means to welcome or parade, while “Laoye” (literally “Lord”) refers to the guardian deity of a community.

These deities may include the Three Mountain Kings, Mazu, Anji Shengwang, or Fude Zhengshen—each worshipped by generations of villagers. Every village has its own deity, and every town preserves its own customs. In local belief, these deities protect the land and safeguard the peace and prosperity of every household.

“Ying Laoye” therefore refers to the ceremonial act of inviting the deity out of the temple, placing the statue on a palanquin, and parading it through villages and towns. As the procession travels through the community, it symbolizes the deity inspecting the land and bestowing blessings upon the entire region.

II. A Grand Ceremony from Dawn Till Dusk

Before dawn even breaks, the square in front of the temple is already filled with swirling incense smoke and glowing candlelight. Village elders, having purified their hands, offer incense, bow deeply, and chant prayers. In a solemn and respectful ritual, the statue of the deity is carefully lifted onto the palanquin. At that very moment, the entire village awakens.

Bronze gongs ring loudly to clear the path, accompanied by the powerful rhythm of large drums and ceremonial gongs. Banner teams dressed in ornate costumes walk proudly ahead, embroidered streamers flowing in the wind. The legendary Yingge Dance bursts into motion—its vigorous steps arranged like a battle formation. Awakening lions leap and spin, while traditional Chaozhou music fills the air with elegant melodies. The procession stretches through streets and alleys like a living river of celebration. It is a visual spectacle unique to Chaoshan—perhaps the most vibrant scene of everyday life transformed into festivity.

As night falls, the celebration reaches its thrilling climax: Leaping Over Bonfires.

Villagers pile up haystacks and ignite towering flames. Palanquin bearers and courageous young men take turns leaping across the blazing fires, sparks scattering through the air as the crowd erupts with cheers. The ritual symbolizes leaping over misfortune and welcoming prosperity, burning away the troubles of the past year to greet a brighter future. It is one of the most exhilarating traditions in Chaoshan folk culture.

At the same time, another ancient custom quietly unfolds. Following ancestral tradition, the male members of the village carry lanterns marked with their family surname—such as “Yang”—toward the ancient walled village to “light the lanterns.” In solemn silence they return, bringing the blessed light back to their homes. The soft glow of lanterns intertwines with the flames of bonfires and bursts of fireworks, illuminating the night sky above the ancient village.

 

 

III. Wherever the Palanquin Passes, There Lies Peace of Mind

Wherever the procession travels across Chaoshan, every household has already prepared an incense altar in front of their doorway. Fresh fruits, sweet cakes, cups of clear tea, and the traditional **three sacrificial meats—chicken, fish, and pork—**are carefully arranged in neat rows.

As the deity’s palanquin approaches, firecrackers burst into the air and sparks scatter across the streets. Elderly residents bow with folded hands, while children excitedly run alongside the procession. In the midst of the lively crowd, people softly repeat the most sincere blessing:

“Laoye Baohao!” (May the Deity bless and protect!)

Bless and protect the safety of the family, bless and protect favorable weather for harvests, bless and protect safe journeys, bless and protect thriving businesses, and bless and protect a smooth year ahead.

For the people of Chaoshan, deities are never distant or abstract figures. They are living guardians who walk alongside the community. Wherever the deity’s palanquin passes, people believe peace of mind follows.

IV. A Running Faith: The Thrilling “Zou Laoye” (Running with the Deities)

Within the celebrations of Ying Laoye, one of the most exhilarating moments is “Zou Laoye”—literally, Running with the Deities.

Groups of strong young men lift the heavy palanquin onto their shoulders and break into powerful, synchronized sprints. The palanquin sways with momentum, drums thunder in the background, and the energy surges through the crowd.

Some say the running drives away misfortune and invites good luck. Others believe it showcases the bold and resilient spirit of the Chaoshan people. But in truth, what is running through the streets is not just the palanquin—it is the hopes, strength, and courage for the entire year ahead.

With every shout and every powerful stride, they carry the community’s best wishes rushing into the new year.

 

 

V. More Than a Folk Custom: The Cultural Roots of the Chaoshan People

The tradition of Ying Laoye, which dates back to the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty, has long gone beyond being just a ritual of worship. For the people of Chaoshan, it represents something much deeper.

It is the reason sons and daughters working far from home return for the New Year, the strongest flavor of the festival in childhood memories, the bond that reunites clans and families, and the living stage for cultural treasures such as Chaoshan embroidery, the vibrant Yingge Dance, elegant Chaozhou music, and the thunderous rhythms of traditional gongs and drums.

Whether someone lives in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, or even far away overseas, the moment they hear the familiar echo of gongs and drums and see ceremonial banners dancing in the wind, they immediately know: this is home, this is our root, this is the timeless spirit of Chaoshan.

The sound of the drums may gradually fade into the distance, but the incense of faith continues to burn. The celebration of Ying Laoye is a microcosm of the Chaoshan New Year, a precious treasure of eastern Lingnan folk culture. Amid the crackling firecrackers and heartfelt blessings, the deities symbolically patrol the land while villagers support and protect one another.

This powerful **sense of ritual—deeply etched into the hearts of the people—**safeguards the peace of this land and allows Chaoshan culture to flourish across generations, remaining vibrant and alive through the passage of time.

 

Conclusion

In this vibrant world filled with fireworks and celebration, faith continues to endure across generations.

A single Ying Laoye ceremony pays tribute to heaven and earth, to the deities, to neighbors and fellow villagers, and most importantly, to every person from Chaoshan who lives life with sincerity and devotion.

“Laoye Baohao!” — May the deities bless and protect.
May every family remain safe, may prosperity return year after year, and may all things unfold smoothly. May the new year bring favorable weather, national peace and prosperity, and continued vitality for the land of Chaoshan.

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