In Taitung County, a centuries-old Lantern Festival ritual turned city streets into walls of flame and smoke this week, as bare-chested “flesh cold deities” stood atop sedan chairs under a barrage of firecrackers in a bid to bring wealth and ward off disaster.

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Explosive firecrackers rocked Taitung County’s Lantern Festival Monday through Wednesday as the “bombing the cold deity” ritual known as the Bombing of Master Handan unfolded with deafening booms and billowing smoke, creating an awe-inspiring scene. 

Bare-chested participants, called “flesh cold deities,” representing Master Handan, the god of wealth who is said to hate the cold, stood firm on sedan chairs, enduring barrages of firecrackers to pray for local prosperity and disaster relief.

The crowd roared after each intense bombardment at street corners. Stores lined the route with their own firecracker welcomes, hoping for booming business.

One onlooker called it “a great cultural tradition from Taitung’s Xuanwu Temple – a true inheritance. The atmosphere is fantastic.” 

Pop diva Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹), known as A-mei, made a surprise appearance at her boyfriend’s recently opened local bar. The star joined the ritual, drawing fans eager for a glimpse of the “heavenly queen.”

However, the festivities weren’t without incident. Two “flesh cold deities” suffered burns to their arms, chests, and other areas during the afternoon blasts. Paramedics rushed them to hospital with gauze wraps; both remained conscious with no life-threatening injuries. 

Taitung’s Lantern Festival firecracker bombing thrilled onlookers, but officials urge caution: assess your health and prioritize safety before joining such high-risk traditions.