About fishermen’s customs

Coastal residents have been fishing for generations, naturally forming unique sea regulations and taboos.

Sea Regulations

"Sacrifice to the Sea" On New Year's Eve and on the 13th day of the first lunar month, fishermen go to the beach to place offerings, set off firecrackers, burn incense paper, and bow devoutly.

"Remember the wind": Fishermen remember the times of strong winds and heavy rains based on their experience, so as to predict the wind conditions a hundred days from now.

"Praying for the Wind" The 25th day of the first lunar month is the Dragon Wind Day. Fishermen often use the wind direction on that day to predict the harvest at sea, burn paper, burn incense, kowtow, and pray for "a smooth sailing".

"Ship delivery" After the new ship is docked, the ship owner chooses an "auspicious day" to place offerings on the bow of the ship, light candles, burn incense, burn yellow watches, beat gongs and drums, set off firecrackers, and perform a grand ceremony. The owner of the ship used cinnabar to light the weather and consecrate the new ship. The bow of the ship was covered with colors and the mast was hoisted with a red flag. The people carrying the ship shouted the slogan "Everything is going well, the waves are calm and the wind is smooth" before sending the ship into the sea.

"Going online" When going to sea at the beginning of each year, the nets that have been repaired during the winter are distributed on the coast, amidst the symphony of gongs, drums and firecrackers. The fishermen carried the net gear, shouted slogans, slowly boarded the boat, rolled the net into the cabin section by section, and saluted and blessed.

"Going to sea" Before going to sea, a pig is slaughtered, skinned and peeled, the whole pig is enshrined on the bow of the ship, and colorful flags are raised amidst gongs, drums and firecrackers. After the sacrifice, the pig was disemboweled, deboned, cut into large pieces, and stewed into "rich meat", and the fishermen feasted and drank freely. When outsiders meet the crew members for dinner, they do not need to be modest and they serve themselves.

"Sacrifice to the Dragon King" The fishermen go out to sea for the first time to inspect their nets, cook the fish they catch and put it on a plate, offer liquor, burn incense paper, and pray to the Dragon King to protect the safety of the sea.

"Sea taboo" It is forbidden to say "leaking", "turning" and "buckle", but saying "clear", "turning", "drawing" or "drawing over"; when going to sea, do not say "far" , "near", say "high", "low"; after unloading fish and shrimps, instead of saying "unloaded" or "none", say "full"; the sail should be called "peng"; the dumplings are cooked to pieces To say "earned"; "to file a lawsuit (killed by force)" should be replaced by "complaint"; when the rope is broken, say "rising"; "on the tenth day of the lunar month" (touching a stone) should be replaced by "two five"; when something is broken It is forbidden to say "broken", but "laughing"; when encountering old fish such as sharks and whales, you cannot call them by their names, but call them "old man"; when sailing, it is strictly forbidden to whistle or tell jokes. Spoons and rice bowls are not allowed to be overturned, and chopsticks are not allowed to rest on the bowl. After eating, the chopsticks must be moved forward sharply to show that the boat is sailing quickly and without hindrance. Women are strictly prohibited from crossing the bow of the boat and are not allowed to relieve themselves on the bow.