Be pragmatic on political reform, Hongkongers told at fortune-telling ceremony
Taoist fortune-telling ceremony brings message interpreted as carrying a hint on political reform
Don't be greedy in the Year of the Goat, Hongkongers were told yesterday at a Taoist fortune-telling ceremony - a message interpreted as a suggestion to accept the government's political reform package.
A fortune stick bearing the number 20 was drawn by Heung Yee Kuk chairman Lau Wong-fat in the annual ritual at the Che Kung Temple in Sha Tin. The stick is seen as "average" in fortune terms.
The literal translation of this year's fortune stick says: "In the morning there's colourful make-up and coiffure in cloud-shaped coils; and jade and pearl ornaments made the brocade look silvery. Yet 'form is emptiness and emptiness is form', that was [goddess of mercy] Kwun Yum's reminder for the mortals."
The message also reminds people: "Don't be greedy."
"I believe it's saying that we should not struggle vigorously for fame and riches, it will be in vain," rural patriarch Lau said. "I think it's a bit of an implication that people should pocket first [whatever is on the table for political reform]."
A fortune teller surnamed Yu, who helped Lau interpret the message, also said it was a reminder for people to have "practical and pragmatic wishes".
Under the framework announced by the national legislature last August, only two or three chief executive candidates - endorsed by a majority of the 1,200 members of a nominating committee - would be put forward for a popular vote in a 2017 election.
Pan-democrat lawmakers have vowed to veto any reform proposals based on this framework. They have enough Legco members to deny the government a two-thirds majority vote needed to endorse the package.
Executive councillor Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who attended the fortune-telling ceremony for the first time, said that while the message gave an insight about political reform, "people should be practical on everything".
The New People's Party chairwoman's steadying words came after her own shaky episode - she was almost knocked over by a dancer dressed as a unicorn as she entered the temple, but managed to regain her balance.
Twenty-year-old Tommy Ma, who visited the temple with his relatives, disagreed with Lau and Ip's interpretations.
"Could it be the central government which is being greedy in getting what it wanted [for political reform] and forced residents to defend their right 'greedily'?" Ma asked. "[Beijing says passing the reform package means] we will have a vote, but we could get it in vain" if voters do not have a genuine choice of candidate.
Outside the temple, fortune teller Chiang Man-ching also said the stick's message could be a reminder that residents should "be mindful about the superficial prosperity and high property prices, because they would not last forever".
Another fortune teller, Chan Tin-yan, believed it implied the pan-democrats' "greed would cost them universal suffrage".
There are 96 fortune sticks in the container used for the ritual, of which 35 are good, 44 neutral and 17 bad.
Last year, the government was advised to listen to people in the Year of the Horse if it was to avoid misfortune and chaos.
Lau has been doing the honours at the Sha Tin ceremony since 2004. That was a year after then home affairs bureau chief Patrick Ho Chi-ping drew number 83, one of the worst omens possible - after which the city was hit by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, which killed 299 people.
Watch: Getting your Lunar New Year fortune told in Hong Kong
