Fireworks Dragon Festival

Fireworks Dragon Festival

Celebrate the vibrant Fireworks Dragon Festival in Binyang County, Guangxi, which is also known as Pao Long Jie (Chinese 炮龙节), and marks the day to welcome Zi Gu, the Purple Lady, the Goddess of the Latrine. In Buddhism, Zi Gu is believed to eradicate defilement while in Zen monasteries, the latrine, bathroom, and meditation hall or refectory are considered the three “silent places” for contemplation. According to mythology, Zi Gu was a concubine of a wealthy man in ancient China. Tragically, the wife of the wealthy man murdered her in the toilet out of jealousy. In compassion, the Heavenly God made her the Goddess of the Toilet, Outhouses, and Washrooms. Today, Zi Gu represents all women who suffer under the oppression of a feudal society. Women worship her as the guardian angel for the weak and associate her with health, well-being, and fertility.