Bombing of Han Dan Festival

Bombing of Master Han Dan Festival in Zhunan, Miaoli County.

The Bombing of Master Han Dan Festival (Chinese: 炸寒單爺; pinyin: Zhà Hán Dān Yé) is a distinctive and exhilarating festival held annually in Taitung City, Taiwan, during the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month. This event is renowned for its unique ritual where a bare-chested individual, embodying the deity Master Han Dan, is carried through the streets on a sedan chair while spectators hurl lit firecrackers at him. The festival is deeply rooted in local folklore and cultural traditions, symbolising themes of bravery, prosperity, and the expulsion of malevolent spirits.

Historical Background

The tradition of Bombing Master Han Dan in Taitung is believed to have begun in 1949, when local residents Chen Peichang (陳培昌), Zheng Teng (鄭藤), and Lin Guode (林國德) brought three deity statues— Master Han Dan (寒單爺), Tian Wang Jun (天王君), and Santaizi (三太子)—from southern Taiwan to Taitung. Initially, the statues were enshrined in Chen Peichang's home, but by 1951 Master Han Dan Ye began to be venerated by different devotees in rotation. It was during this period that the firecracker bombardment ritual emerged as part of the festival.

The development of the Bombing of Master Han Dan was closely linked to local gang culture, earning Han Dan the nickname "Gangster God" (流氓神). Many early temple guardians, devotees, and those who took on the role of the human Han Dan (肉身寒單) had connections to organized crime. The processions frequently passed through entertainment venues such as theaters and teahouses, which were associated with the underworld. Participants who volunteered to be bombarded often saw it as an act of penance or as a means to prove their courage and enhance their reputation among their peers. In the spirit of challenge and competition, businesses would offer red envelopes as wagers, encouraging participants to endure increasingly intense firecracker bombardments. The dramatic spectacle attracted large crowds, solidifying its place as a major street event in Taitung.

During the 1970s, as northern Taiwan began banning similar firecracker rituals, the Bombing of Master Han Dan in Taitung emerged as the only large-scale firecracker deity procession in the country. However, due to its strong ties to gang-related activities and the practice of accepting red envelopes, the ritual also became a target of law enforcement scrutiny. In 1984, police authorities implemented a special crackdown, banning the practice of bombing the human Han Dan on the grounds that it constituted an organized crime activity. The festival was suspended for five years until 1989, when county councilors Liu Zhaozhang (劉櫂漳) and Rao Daqi (饒達奇) helped broker an agreement with law enforcement. The temple leader at the time, Hou Shilin (侯石林), signed a four-point pledge, promising that Han Dan's processions would not accept red envelope challenges, would prohibit dangerous firecracker setups such as hanging firecrackers from bamboo poles, and would maintain order during the parade. With these conditions, the festival was reinstated.

In the same year, the temple leader Li Jianzhi (李建智) established the Xuan Wu Tang (玄武堂) as a permanent place of worship for Han Dan, transitioning from the previous system of rotating enshrinement among devotees. Initially, the revived firecracker ritual was held in front of a car dealership across from the public transportation bureau, later moving to a nearby liquor store. Large-scale street processions did not resume immediately. By 1998, the Taitung City Government collaborated with Xuan Wu Tang to elevate the Bombing of Master Han Dan into the main highlight of the Lantern Festival celebrations. In recent years, the festival has evolved into a grand evening event, taking place in venues such as the Taitung Seashore Park and Nanjing Road Plaza, further solidifying its status as one of Taiwan's most unique cultural traditions.

The Legend of Master Han Dan

The origins of the Bombing of Master Han Dan are deeply rooted in Taiwanese folklore and religious traditions, with multiple theories explaining the identity of Han Dan and the reasons for the firecracker ritual. One widely accepted belief portrays Han Dan as a ruthless local tyrant who committed numerous crimes. After his death, he was subjected to firecracker bombardment during the Lantern Festival as an act of symbolic atonement.

Another interpretation identifies Han Dan as Zhao Gongming (趙公明), also known as Xuantan Zhenjun (玄壇真君), a Taoist deity associated with wealth and protection. According to legend, Zhao Gongming lived during the Han Dynasty and assisted Zhang Daoling (張天師) in refining alchemical medicines. After consuming the elixir, he ascended to the heavens and was granted the title of "Marshal of the Mysterious Altar" (玄壇元帥), becoming one of the four great Dharma protectors in Taoism. In the novel Investiture of the Gods (封神演義), Zhao Gongming is depicted as a general of the Shang Dynasty who fought against the rising Zhou dynasty forces. After being killed through Zhou sorcery, his soul was enshrined in the divine pantheon as one of the four wealth gods (武財神). Because of this, many merchants believe that welcoming Han Dan with firecrackers ensures prosperity for their businesses.

A third version presents Zhao Gongming as a plague god or a king of ghosts. This belief is derived from In Search of the Supernatural (搜神記), an ancient text that describes how the Jade Emperor appointed Zhao Gongming and his generals to lead spirits in collecting human souls. In this context, people viewed Han Dan as a ghostly force or a deity of pestilence and sought to drive him away with firecrackers. A fourth account claims that Han Dan was originally a deity named Wang Zhenjun (王真君), distinguished by a three-eyed statue. However, over time, he was mistakenly associated with Zhao Gongming.

Festival Rituals and Practices

The festival's main spectacle involves a volunteer representing Master Han Dan, standing shirtless on a palanquin, donning only shorts and protective gear such as a face mask and a towel or helmet to shield against the onslaught of firecrackers. As the procession moves through Taitung's streets, participants and onlookers throw lit firecrackers directly at the individual. This act is believed to please the deity, bringing good fortune to the community and the participants. The volunteer's endurance amidst the explosions is seen as a testament to their bravery and a means to absorb and dispel negative energies on behalf of the spectators.

Cultural Significance

Over the decades, the Bombing of Master Han Dan has transformed into a cherished cultural event, attracting both locals and tourists. It stands alongside other prominent Lantern Festival traditions in Taiwan, such as the sky lanterns of Pingxi and the beehive firecrackers of Yanshui. The festival not only serves as a religious observance but also as a symbol of Taitung's unique cultural identity, reflecting the community's resilience and collective spirit.

Contemporary Developments

In recent years, the festival has faced challenges, including concerns over commercialization and environmental impacts. In 2016, the Ministry of Culture declined to grant official recognition to the event, citing issues such as noise pollution from firecrackers and a perceived lack of cultural sophistication. Despite this, local authorities and communities continue to uphold the tradition, implementing measures to balance cultural preservation with modern sensibilities. Furthermore, in 2021 and 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan, the festival was cancelled as a preventive measure against the spread of the coronavirus.