Miaohui
Model humanity: Main philosophical traditions: Ritual traditions: Devotional traditions: Salvation churches and sects: Confucian churches and sects: Miaohui (廟會/庙会), literally temple gatherings or translated as temple fairs, also called yíngshén sàihuì (迎神賽會/迎神赛会 "collective rituals to greet the gods")[note 1], are Chinese religious gatherings held by Miao shrines for the worship of the Chinese gods and immortals.
For instance, in the Han dynasty, as Buddhism and Taoism has gradually formed, temple fair became a way to attract more newcomers to their community by adding performances.
[5] In worldwide, not only China has miaohui but also other places such as Malaysia has such temple fair with similar forms and activities.
Ancestors started to hold the sacrificial rite nearby the temple in order to seek the blessing of gods.
The main purpose of forming Miaohui at that time is to bring spiritual sustenance to people and benefit for social stability by exchanging mutual senses between gods and human beings.
[8] During the Han dynasty, as while Buddhism has been transported to China, Taoism, a fundamental Chineses religious which emphasizes living in harmony with Dao, also gradually built and formed.
In this way, not only believers would enjoy visiting temple fairs, but also many ordinary people, who were targeted as "candidates" for the religion, were willing to join for fun.
[15] During the performance, sitting around the actor, bands would play the music by using various orchestras with the common characteristic that is loud, such as drums, gongs, oboes.
[13] Since the prior period of the Song dynasty, the commercial trade situation of the Southern temple fair was quite common, however, with the development of the commodity economy, the function of the temple fair was gradually weakened and replaced by general commodity market or shop.
The method is to steam the yellow sticky rice noodles, spread them out, sprinkle them with cooked bean noodles and brown sugar, then roll them up, like a screw.Bing Tang Hu Lu is made by stringing wild fruits with bamboo sticks and dipping them in maltose, which hardens rapidly in the wind.
One is to cook it in soup with five flavors and sauce, and add some fried tofu, then adding vinegar, cilantro, and chili oil.
The form is kind of similar to the temple fair in China that has performances, arts, and sacrifices foods and goods to gods.
[15] Also, the changes might be caused by people in Malaysia shift their interest in temple fairs and religion from celebration to death and sickness.
To be specific, the greatest Chinese festivals that Malaysia cherished the most is the funeral and curing rites.
Moreover, sports performance is the unique activity in the temple fair, such as the human pyramid, dragon and lion dance, Lift the statue on shoulders.
[16] Besides, the puppet theater is almost dead since the decreasing revenue caused by the changing tastes of audiences in modern society.
Similar to the temple fair culture in China mainland, Hong Kong has many folk performances, including Shaolin martial arts and Taiji (a kind of traditional Chinese shadow boxing).
Also, there are several stalls at the temple fair that selling wooden New Year pictures, sugar paintings, pyrography, clay sculptures, and kites, which are the cultural heritage of China.
