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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.[2] Large-scale miaohui are usually held around the time of the Chinese New Year, or in specific temples at the birthday of the god enshrined in the temple itself.[2][3] Since the development of society with importation of different cultures, the characteristic of miaohui for each dynasty also vary from time to time. 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. Activities usually include rituals celebrated in the temple, opera on a stage facing the temple, processions of the gods' images on carts throughout villages and cities, performance of musical and ritual troupes (of Taoists, sects and Confucian ritualists), blessing of offerings brought to the temple by families,[2] and various economic activities.[4] Besides, various foods and snacks selling in the miaohui also an attractive part for people, especially for children to join in.
Geography and local customs lead to great differences in the nature of festivals dedicated to the gods.[2] In northern China, miaohui are usually week-long, with ceremonies held in large temples, and attended by tens of thousands of people; while in southern China, they are a much more local practice, organized by village temples or clusters of temples of different villages.[5] In worldwide, not only China has miaohui but also other places such as Malaysia has such temple fair with similar forms and activities.
- ^ Overmyer (2009), p. 94.
- ^ a b c d Davis (2009), p. 815.
- ^ Example: China Daily, Temple fair of Goddess Mazu opens in Nanjing, 2015-05-12.
- ^ Cooper (2013), p. passim.
- ^ Davis (2009), p. 815-816.
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