| The various celebrations of Kaohsiung's Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival Chinese Lunar New Year is the most significant holiday in Chinese society. Celebrations begin on New Year's Eve and continue until the 15th of January of the lunar calendar. The Lantern Festival, begins on the last day of the New Year's celebration. The Kaohsiung Lantern Festival is a street fair, during which artistic lanterns are on display. Every year, people go to admire the hand made lanterns. People also carry hand-held lanterns.  | | Prosperity Turtle | Kaohsiung also celebrates the "Houjin Gan Wei Festival" . This is a festival that is celebrated locally and gives visitors special insight into Kaohsiung's culture. Sheng-yun and Feng-ping Temples, with the help of three other temples, have hosted the Houjin Gan Wei Festival for many years. Historically, the region was mostly agricultural. During Chinese New Year, the temples would organize holiday markets for locals who were taking a break from their farm work. During the festivities residents would buy and exchange products. As the years went by the markets gradually grew and evolved into today's large Houjin Gan Wei Festival. The Houjin Gan Wei festivital is deeply rooted in folklore and local religious practices. The modern Houjin Gan Wei Festival begins shortly before New Year's Eve.At the end of December 2008 of the lunar calendar, several famous calligraphers were invited to participate in the warm up activities. The calligraphers even gave away a New Year's couplet. There are a number of Taoist celebrations that occur during the New Year's celebrations. On December 24th of the lunar calendar, feasts are held to honor Tai Sui. This Taoist God is believed to be the guardian of the home. Taoists believe on December 24th Tai Sui returns to heaven to report on the year's activities. Taoists hold banquets in his honor, with the hopes he will deliver a positive report to Yu Huang (Jade Emperor of Heaven). Another big celebration occurs on January 9th of the lunar calendar. This is the Jade Emperor's birthday and celebrations are held at the Feng-ping Temple. These celebrations begin at midnight and continue throughout the next day. At the end of Chinese New Year the temples in the Houjin District also hold the Prosperity Salutations Parade. The deities residing in the temples are taken on a tour to bring blessings and prosperity to the local residents. The route covers all five subdivisions. The Turtle Granting Contest marks the climax of the Houjin Gan Wei Festival. This occurs on Lantern festival and is a very historic practice. Temples host a contest in which participants throw a pair of crescent-shaped pieces of wood. According to Taoism the gods are responding when the flat side of one of the crescent-shaped wood pieces is facing up and the flat side is facing down on the other. These are known as "holy cups". The person who gets the most "holy cups" wins the contest. The prize is a "Prosperity Turtle". It is believed the winner of the turtle will be granted prosperity and good fortune by the gods. The turtle-shaped deity is made of a variety of materials. It is usually constructed from rice and flour, but sometimes they are constructed of pure gold. The winner is then expected to donate twice the worth of the turtle over the next year. This gesture is symbolic of the winner's generosity and sharing of their good fortune. This would also give others the opportunity to be granted the turtle's good fortune. On January 18th of the lunar calendar, a grand parade is held to honor the lucky winner of the Turtle Granting Contest. During the parade the turtle is escorted to the winner's house. The parade marks the end of the Houjin Gan Wei Festival. The entire Gan Wei Festival is a month-long affair and includes many other festive activities. It also exemplifies the unique way Kaohsiung residents celebrate the New Year. | 
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