faa1 paau3花炮
Jyutpingfaa1 paau3
Yalefā paau
Definition
Fa pau; a paper floral tribute and tower of paper art used to pay tribute to a deity during festival celebrations.
colloquialfestivalother
How it's used
These elaborate structures are central to traditional village festivals and deity celebrations in Hong Kong. While they are visually stunning, the term specifically refers to the ritual object used for blessing and protection rather than just a decorative craft. The practice of competing for or drawing these items is a deeply rooted communal activity that reinforces social ties within the local community.
Measure word
zo2座jóExamples
For this year's deity birthday, our whole village went to compete for the fa pau.
Do you know who won the fa pau in the lucky draw?
Related words
Common phrases
to draw a fa pau in a lucky draw
to compete for a fa pau
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with fireworks or pyrotechnics, despite the literal translation of cannon. The term is strictly cultural and religious in context, referring to the bamboo and paper structure rather than anything explosive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
