we are all connected by red strings of fate
i went to the xia hai temple yesterday. it's also known as the taipei matchmaking temple. you make a small offering, while burning incense and pray to the gods. there are hundreds of them there. some with large bellies, some with the heads of animals, still others brandishing weapons, while others are holding a more serene post.
but first, you make a prayer to the city god. hoisting up incense as an offering, you tell him your name, your birthdate, and as much as you can about the person you want to meet. some people were in deep prayer, praying with wholehearted conviction, while others saw this as merely a formality to finding a girlfriend. i, having no idea what kind of person i want to find, merely prayed that those who were there with me would find the ones they are looking for.
you go from room to room finding other immaculately carved statues of gods to pray to. some for good fortune, others for good health, but it is clear by the size of the rooms which deity gets the most prayers.
at the end of your journey (and about 10 american bucks), you are presented with a red string, which you take to the incense altar and move clockwise three times. this red string is supposed to help you find true love.
it is said that we are all bound by red strings of fate. these red strings tie us together to our soul mates. the line may be tangled, but will never break. though it may not be visible to us, it surely exists.
the legend goes on to say that you are to carry the red string with you wherever you go. when you meet your true love, you are to return to the temple. many married couples return to the temple and leave cookies there for the singles. these cookies are blessed, then eaten by those seeking their true love, and aids in luck.
i think this would be an awesome place to pick up girls while simultaneously angering the gods, methinks.
more reading:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_string_of_fate