HKFP Lens: Pok Fu Lam Fire Dragon Dance – a Mid-Autumn Festival tradition

Hong Kong Free Press

On the evening of Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls each year on the 15th day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar, villagers from Pok Fu Lam Village on the southwestern edge of Hong Kong Island parage through the narrow lanes with a fire dragon to pray for well-being.

Villagers wave a fire dragon made of straw and incense during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival in Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Though not as well known as the Tai Hang fire dragon dance, the tradition is believed to date back to the early 1900s. The metres-long fire dragon has historically been made by the villagers from hay, rattan, and bamboo. Tens of thousands of incense sticks are stuck onto its body and lit for its dance through the village.

Villager inserts incense on a stick during Fire Dragon Dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival at Pok Fu Lam Village, September 17th, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — A villager inserts incense sticks during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival in Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

At the end of the night, the fire dragon is taken down to Waterfall Bay, where it is returned to the sea and its incense extinguished.

A fire dragon made of straw and incense blesses villagers in Pok Fu Lam Village during Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A fire dragon made of straw and incense in a temple near Pok Fu Lam Village during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Child cover her ears in Pok Fu Lam Village during Fire Dragon Dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival, September 17th, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People cover their ears in Pok Fu Lam Village during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Villagers wave a fire dragon made of straw and incense during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival near Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

People insert incense on a stick during Fire Dragon Dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival at Pok Fu Lam Village, September 17th, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People add incense to a fire dragon in Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

A fire dragon blesses villagers in Pok Fu Lam Village during Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Musician play tradition music during Fire Dragon Dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival at Pok Fu Lam Village, September 17th, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. — People listen as musicians play traditional music during a fire dragon dance performance at Mid-Autumn Festival in Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Villagers charge with a fire dragon at Mid-Autumn Festival in Pok Fu Lam Village, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Villagers wave a fire dragon amid a heavy downpour at Wah Fu Estate, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

An amber rainstorm does not stop Pok Fu Lam villagers from taking the fire dragon performance to Wah Fu Estate for Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Villagers take the fire dragon down to the sea at Waterfall Bay during Mid-Autumn Festival, on September 17th, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Villagers take the fire dragon made of straw and incense to the sea to make the end of the Mid-Autumn Festival fire dragon dance performance at Waterfall Bay, September 17, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

Help safeguard press freedom & keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team

Original reporting on HKFP is backed by our monthly contributors.

Almost 1,000 monthly donors make HKFP possible. Each contributes an average of HK$200/month to support our award-winning original reporting, keeping the city’s only independent English-language outlet free-to-access for all. Three reasons to join us:

🔎 Transparent & efficient: As a non-profit, we are externally audited each year, publishing our income/outgoings annually, as the city’s most transparent news outlet.
🔒 Accurate & accountable: Our reporting is governed by a comprehensive Ethics Code. We are 100% independent, and not answerable to any tycoon, mainland owners or shareholders. Check out our latest Annual Report , and help support press freedom.
💰 It’s fast, secure & easy: We accept most payment methods – cancel anytime, and receive a free tote bag and pen if you contribute HK$150/month or more.

HKFP has an impartial stance, transparent funding, and balanced coverage guided by an Ethics Code and Corrections Policy.

Support press freedom & help us surpass 1,000 monthly Patrons: 100% independent, governed by an ethics code & not-for-profit.

https://hongkongfp.com/2024/09/18/hkfp-lens-pok-fu-lam-fire-dragon-dance-a-mid-autumn-festival-tradition/