Insects awakening (5th, 6th or 7th day of the 3rd month of the Lunar Calendar)

“Villain beating” is a local custom that has rapidly gained popularity in recent years. The area beneath the Canal Road Flyover at Wanchai is a hotspot for the custom, with “villain beaters” – usually old ladies – stationed here all year round. Business is particularly thriving on the Insects Awakening Day. The location underneath the flyover is considered a place of abundant yin energy, and is an ideal place for villain beating. On the Insect Awakening day, besides the curb of Hennessy Road, altars were also placed along Canal Road West (Most worshipping Guan Yam, with some worshipping the Monkey King). There were a total of some 30 altars surrounded by crowds of believers looking to use the villain beating service. The sounds of shoes rising and falling created a unique clamour in the area.

Insects Awakening

“Insects awakeingn” is one of the 24 solar terms of China. It is designated as the 5th, 6th or 7th day of the 3rd Lunar Month. This is the peak season for infectious diseases with the fluctuating temperatures; the SARS pandemic in 2003 and the fatal flu epidemic in 2008 also broke out during this period. Guangdong folklore believes that lurking creatures are awoken by the spring thunders on this day. All manners of snake, insects and mice, together with “villains”, come out for food and activity, to harm humans, livestock and crops. This is why they find it necessary to “feed the white tiger” and “beat the villain”. The White Tiger is a star of ill omen, which also keeps the evil in check. Traditionally, blubber is used as offering to feed the white tiger so it does not bite anyone. Today, worshipping the white tiger has become a secondary activity, since villain beating becomes the major event.

What is a “Villain”

“Villains” may refer to actual persons who sow discord or foment dissension; the term can also be a metaphor for ill luck or bad omen. Traditionally, when “villains” get close, “Gui Ren” (literally, auspicious persons) distant themselves. If villains cannot be avoided, they should be “resolved” so that their ill effects do not linger. Thus villain beating serves the due purpose of driving away ill luck and welcoming good fortune. If one encounters career hiccups, or has become an object of spite, or has an outstanding loan, or is inflicted by ailments, or whose lover is involved in affair, one would resort to “villain beating” in hopes of seeing a better change.

The procedures of “Villain Beating”

The practice of each beater is slightly different, but most would ask the name of the client and the particular objective of beating. Afterwards, a piece of “villain paper” was placed on a brick; an old shoe (high heels or slippers are also usable) was used to beat on the piece of paperwhile chanting such words as, “villain, be silent and leave my client”, “good fortune follows villain beating”, and so on. Some villain beaters used a stick of incense to burn through the “villain paper” before beating, while others chopped it into pieces using knives.

After the beating, the villain beater swept “auspicious persons” placards over the customer, symbolizing the summoning of auspicious persons. Then she picked up a paper tiger and wiped it on a piece of blubber, symbolizing the feeding of the white tiger. The paper tiger was then burnt together with the auspicious persons placard, followed by the scattering of rice and green beans on the ground, to exorcise the “villain”. After performing the designated tasks, some villain beaters would cast divination blocks to forecast the future. If one block faced down and the other up, this indicates that the deities have heard the requests of the client; otherwise the blocks would be recasted after praying.

“Villain Beating” Hotspots

On the Insects Awakening Day, public engaged in “villain beating” can be seen in other old districts, for example the crossroads at Tai Ping Shan Street. Some temples also provide such service for believers. Extensive media coverage of the practice at Canal Road Flyover has turned it into a hotspot for “villain beating”. Many believers visit the place waiting for their turn, and media, the public and tourists also come to take photographs, turning the villain beaters into “performers” under limelight.

Public mindset

Although Hong Kong is a developed society, the custom of “villain beating” continues and becomes increasingly popular. Men and women make use of the service, many of whom are in their youth. Why do they pay (the current asking price at Canal Road Flyover is 50 Hong Kong dollars) the villain beater to perform the rite? What troubles do they expect to dispel? It is worth the further investigation by cultural researchers. Though some do question the actual effectiveness of “villain beating”, the chance for one to vent their discontent is believed to be psychologically therapeutic.