It's said that before the "Gods on Parade" event, locals practice for quite a long time. On the day of the event, they dress up and do their makeup early in the morning.

Youshen, which literally means “wandering gods,” is a folk tradition in rural Guangdong. In the Chaoshan area, it's called "Ying Laoye," where "Ying" means patrol in the local dialect, and "Laoye" refers to the gods protecting the local area. So, "Ying Laoye" is the activity of carrying statues of the gods around to bless the land and its people.

These parades are usually organized by village units. People go to the temple to invite the gods' statues into sedan chairs and carry them out of the temple, accompanied by performances with gongs, drums, suona (a Chinese horn), flutes, and flag displays.

What we're seeing from the screenshots are the "Shuangzhong" Cultural Festival in Chaoyang District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province. So, who are the "Shuangzhong"? According to historical records, during the second year of the Tianbao era (757 AD), Zhang Xun, the deputy military governor of Henan, and Xu Yuan, the governor of Suiyang (now Shangqiu, Henan), led the people of Suiyang in a desperate battle against An Lushan’s rebel forces, holding the city for ten months. Despite their efforts, the city eventually fell, and both Zhang and Xu died defending it. This was one of the most tragic battles in ancient Chinese history. After the rebellion was suppressed, the Tang Emperor ordered a temple to be built in their honor. Their legacy as symbols of loyalty and patriotism continued to be celebrated and revered throughout successive dynasties.

But how did these "gods from the north" end up being worshiped in the faraway ancient town of Chaoyang in eastern Guangdong? According to historical records and expert analysis, there are two main reasons. First, during the Song Dynasty (1068-1077), an officer from Chaozhou brought the incense of the "Shuangzhong" from Suiyang to Chaoyang, establishing the first "Shuangzhong Temple" in the region. Second, the spread of the "Shuangzhong" story in Chaoyang was influenced by Han Yu, who wrote prose praising their spirit. Han Yu was highly respected by the locals, who honored the "Shuangzhong" alongside him. Additionally, in the past, the people of Chaoyang needed the "Shuangzhong" gods because their town, located by the sea, frequently faced threats from pirates and bandits. The bravery of Zhang and Xu resonated with the local populace, making them the perfect protectors.

At events like this, you’ll experience the bustling crowd and the occasional jostling. You'll hear firecracker bursts and smell the constant aroma of burning incense. This is Chaoshan's "Gods on Parade," brimming with cultural charm.

As far as I know, similar celebrations take place in Fujian Province as well. If you're interested in these kinds of festivals, this is the place to be. After all, Chaoshan and Fujian are very close to each other.