Kinmen is known as the Wind Lion. For the new immigrants to understand the story of Wind Lion, the Kinmen County Service Station of the Southern District Affairs Brigade of the National Immigration Agency (移民署南區事務大隊金門縣服務站) conducted family education and residency laws informational activities at the Kinmen County Forest Bureau (金門縣林務所) on August 15. Activities were arranged for parents and children to paint a pen holder for the patron saint of Kinmen "Feng Shi Ye" (風獅爺), to let the new immigrants understand the unique culture of Kinmen through the activity.
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The Kinmen County Service Station held the parent-child painting activity of the Wind Lion, and the participating people took a group photo. (Photo∕Provided by Kinmen County Service Station)
The patron saint of Kinmen, "Feng shi ye", came from the raging northeast monsoon during the Qing Dynasty. The entire island was covered with sand and rocks, and plants were not easy to grow. Therefore, the “village-type” lions were distributed in various settlements. The wind lions are set up at windy intersections or temple entrances and houses. The Wind Lion can suppress the wind, stop evil spirits, and protect the villagers, and became the patron saint of Kinmen. Later, when there are events or happenings, the people will not only offer sweets and biscuits to pray to the Wind Lion for help, but also offer cloaks and ribbons to Wind Lion to fulfill their vows. The Wind Lions in different settlements have their own characteristics.
Parents and children participated in the pen holder painting activity of the “Wind Lion”, patron saint of Kinmen. Photo∕Provided by Kinmen County Service Station
The Kinmen County Service Station also reminded students through this activity that although the current COVID-19 alert has been lowered, they should still wear masks, avoid going to public places, wash hands frequently with soap, develop good hygiene habits, and protect themselves and their families. It is also urged that new immigrants use free tablets to learn related digital courses and enjoy the convenience brought by digital information. New immigrants may go to the Kinmen County Service Station to consult and apply.
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The children participated in the painting of the "Wind Lion" pen holder activity, the patron saint of Kinmen. Photo∕Provided by Kinmen County Service Station
Liao Wei-lan (廖蔚蘭), director of the Kinmen County Service Station, said that because of the peoples’ concerted efforts in epidemic prevention, the nationwide epidemic alert has been lowered. He is very happy to have the opportunity to work with the Kinmen County Forestry Bureau to hold the new immigrants’ Parent-Child Painted Wind Lion Pen Holder activity. Aside from allowing new immigrants to better understand Kinmen’s unique culture and beliefs, the activity also promoted parent-child bonding. In addition, the new immigrants are also reminded to continue to implement epidemic prevention measures and protect the hard-earned epidemic prevention results of Kinmen.
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