The Significance of the Revival of the Sending-of-the-Royal-Ship Ceremony in Penang

By Tong Wing Cheong

July 2024 FEATURE
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After capturing the evil spirits onto the boat, the Lord of Seven Clans is sent off with them in a blazing fire, restoring peace to the area.
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SINCE THE INCLUSION of the Sending-of-the-Royal-Ship ritual (送王船) in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list on 17 December 2020, this ceremony, which originated in the coastal areas of China’s Fujian Province before flowing to Melaka, has been gradually gaining attention. In Melaka, the tourism board promotes these ceremonies at Yong Chuan Tian Temple (勇全殿) and Cheng Wah Keong Temple (清華宮) as a crucial and unique attraction.Due to its ancient history and widespread influence, the Sending-of-the-Royal-Ship belief has developed into a complex...

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Tong Wing Cheong

graduated from the National University of Tainan in Taiwan and enjoys observing and documenting local Chinese folk beliefs, customs and traditional crafts.

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