Saturday, June 26

This year's annual Dragon Boat races were sponsored by the Athletic Field of the City of Kaohsiung and the Temple of Guandi, a diety who was originally a historical figure--Guan Yu (AD 160-219)--prayed to for protection and prosperity, and to solve all kinds of problems: personal, domestic, national and universal. He prayed to by Hong Kong policemen to help deliver justice and for courage, and by the criminal gangs known as the Triad because they see him as an epitome of loyalty. Cantonese businessmen also pray to him for prosperity; in Chinatowns all over, you'll often see an altar to him in the shop.

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