Kirin Dance Parade in Cheung Chau Bun Festival, Hong Kong 2024 Chinese Tradition Custom 長洲 太平清醮 舞麒麟

Cheung Chau Bun Festival or Cheung Chau Da Jiu Festival is a traditional Chinese festival on the island of Cheung Chau in Hong Kong. Held annually and it is by far the most famous of such Da Jiu festivals, with Jiu (醮) being a Taoist sacrificial ceremony. Such events are held by mostly rural communities in Hong Kong, either annually or at a set interval of years ranging all the way up to once every 60 years (i.e. the same year in the Chinese astrological calendar).
Kirin bears the characteristics of dragons, horses and reindeer. In Chinese culture, kirin is deemed a revered animal, along with the dragon, phoenix and turtle, which symbolize peace, auspice and longevity respectively. Unlike the dragon dance (舞龍), which can be seen nationwide during traditional festivals or grand opening ceremonies, kirin dance is less common and only practiced in Hakka (客家) culture.