A new purple fire dragon measuring about 20 metres and weighing roughly 35 kilograms made its first appearance at this year’s Tai Hang Fire Dragon Dance.
The National Security Department made the dragon from rattan branches, rope and pearl grass. Fluorescent incense sticks were fitted through its body. The department’s account said the purple colour echoed its logo and represented auspicious beginnings.
More than 20 members of a police youth programme learned fire-dragon performance techniques from experienced practitioners at a Tai Hang community welfare organisation. They trained for several hours before performing with it on Mid-Autumn night.
Organisers invited the National Security Department to participate in the festival for the first time this year. The more-than-century-old tradition attracts local residents and overseas visitors.
At a temporary amusement park in Wan Chai, the department and local police set up a large balloon photo spot alongside a national-security and anti-fraud publicity stall. Display boards explained the fire-dragon tradition and the concept of cultural security.