XN000022-1975-04-27 — Page 5

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The legend of the Goddess also inspired a presentation by the

Po Leung Kuk, which commemorates the journey of the Eight Immortals to

celebrate the Goddess' birthday.

Other travellers from the pages of Chinese mythology will be

the Monk Hsuan Chuang and his three disciples, the Monkey King, the Pig

Pat Kai and Monk Hsia. In recreating their fabulous adventures, the Pok

Oi Hospital will also be representing their dread encounter with the

Or Devil King and the Princess Iron Fan.

I.

The heroes of the famous novel "The Water Margin" figure in an

exciting dance staged by Chiu Chau Associations to the accompaniment of

sticks beating together in unison.

A scroll by a Ching Dynasty artist was chosen by the Women's

Associations as the basis for their entry. Depicting birds of every

species paying homage to the Phoenix, the painting was offered by the

artist Suen Lung in tribute to the Empress of his time, to symbolise the

stability and prosperity of the country and to express the affection of

the people. In this dance, the Phoenix is surrounded by her retinue of

birds and by accompanying fairies.

Another popular theme of numerous Chinese scrolls, lotus blossoms

provide the focus for a dance staged by the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals.

Aroused by a group of merrymaking maidens, the lotus fairies join their

festivities.

No Hong Kong procession would be complete without a lion dance,

and the cortege for the Queen will include lions from both North and South

China, with their marked differences of costume and performing styles.

The North Lions will be provided by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries

and the Chinese Manufacturers Association, and the South Lions by the Hong

Kong Chinese Martial Arts Association.

/Bringing up ..............