(Wangchuan Ceremony)

In the historic city of Malacca, Malaysia, a century-old folk celebration known as the “Wangchuan Ceremony” continues to captivate with its grandeur and solemnity. Each time it is held, the community unites to build a finely crafted wooden “Wangchuan” boat, followed by a nine-kilometer procession with more than twenty ritual stops, where incense smoke and the sound of drums fill the streets.

(Locals pull the wooden Wangchuan boat for 9 kilometers through 22 stops before arriving at the ritual site.)

The highlight comes with the burning of the boat. Amid chants and firecrackers, flames engulf the vessel in a ritual called "Wangchuan Hua Ji"—symbolizing the banishment of misfortune and the welcoming of peace and prosperity, while expressing prayers for a better future.

（Burning of the Wangchuan）

The ceremony traces its origins to 15th–17th century southern Fujian, China, and spread to Southeast Asia through migration and maritime trade. The “Wangchuan” boat carries the deity known as the “Royal Lord,” a divine inspector sent to patrol the mortal realm, rewarding virtue, punishing evil, and ensuring favorable weather and national well-being.

In 2020, the joint nomination by China and Malaysia, “Wangchuan ceremony, rituals and related practices for maintaining the sustainable connection between man and the ocean”, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Each vessel reflects months of craftsmanship: intricate joinery, vibrant paintings, and ritual talismans, all sustaining this tradition of “sending blessings through burning.” Beyond a testament to Chinese cultural roots, the ceremony also embodies Melaka’s spirit of multicultural harmony.

As the flames intertwine with prayers, the royal ship turns to ashes. It carries not just the power of ancient beliefs but also a spiritual legacy that transcends centuries.