Devotees gather at Hai Choo Soo Temple for Chneah Hoay ceremony

Devotees gathered at the Hai Choo Soo Temple in Tanjung Tokong to witness the Chneah Hoay ceremony and celebrate the start of the new Dragon Year. This traditional event, with a history of over 200 years, attracted large crowds of people who came to offer prayers for a successful year ahead.

People lit joss sticks to pray for good fortune in the Year of the Dragon. Some also set off firecrackers in the temple’s courtyard, while others enjoyed local street food nearby during the ceremony held on Friday (Feb 23).

One family, consisting of See Li Kim, Jared Lim, and their two children, were spotted lighting a large joss stick together to pray for prosperity in the coming year. They have made it a tradition to visit the temple every year and seek blessings for their business.

See shared, “We come here annually to offer prayers and wish for a prosperous year. As we run a fried banana stall, we are praying for a stable year with good business.” She emphasized the importance of their family tradition of visiting the temple during this auspicious time.

Three brothers from Ipoh, Liew Ze Feng, Ze Ming, and Ze Hao, who operate a pet grooming salon in Penang, were also seen lighting a large paper-made pineapple for luck. They returned to the temple after their prayers from the previous year seemed to have been answered, hoping for continued success in both their business and personal lives.

According to Ze Ming, the trio’s prayers from the past year appeared to have been fulfilled, prompting their return with bigger offerings this time. They expressed their hopes for a fruitful year ahead and emphasized the importance of setting goals and having a plan for success.

The highlight of the event, the flame-watching ceremony, typically takes place at midnight. During this ritual, the temple’s committee members analyze the flames bursting from an incense urn following three fan strokes, which are believed to predict the economic conditions for four-month cycles of the year.

The stability, brightness, and strength of the flames signify the predictions made by the Tua Pek Kong deity regarding economic fortunes for specific periods throughout the year. The first flame reflects the economic outlook from February to May, the second from June to September, and the third from October to January.

Before the ceremony, the statue of the Tua Pek Kong deity is brought from the Poh Hock Seah Tua Pek Kong Temple to the Hai Choo Soo Temple, and later returned the following day. This procession symbolizes the transfer of blessings and predictions for the year ahead.