Wax burning (), also known as wax boiling, is the heating of candle wax to high temperatures in a container as a form of entertainment. Most of the time, it refers to a

local tradition Local may refer to: Geography and transportation * Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand * Local, Missouri, a community in the United States * Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administrat ...

of Hong Kong youths during the

Mid-Autumn Festival The Mid-Autumn Festival (Chinese: / ), also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festival celebrated in Chinese culture. Similar holidays are celebrated in Japan (), Korea (), Vietnam (), and other countries in Eas ...

period in public parks or other such areas. One would use an empty

moon cake A mooncake () is a Chinese bakery product traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節). The festival is about lunar appreciation and Moon watching, and mooncakes are regarded as a delicacy. Mooncakes are offered between f ...

tin as the container to bring candle wax to the boil, possibly adding newspaper scraps or other flammable fuel. Once the wax fire reaches its peak, one would pour water onto the flames thus creating spectacular sizzling and steam slopover. This practice is dangerous due to the flames' kickback and volatile amount of flowing hot wax, possibly causing third degree burns; several children have been taken to the hospital each year due to "wax burning" related injuries. The annual numbers are in decline due to legislation and public education campaigns (see below).

Attitude of the Hong Kong government to wax burning

As there are many revellers during the

, the Hong Kong Police Force has previously paid little attention to wax boiling, and hence many local youths see the festival as a chance for "legal fire-setting". However, due to the amounts of leftover melted wax in public areas and the inherent danger of the practice, in 1990 the

Hong Kong Government The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, commonly known as the Hong Kong Government or HKSAR Government, refers to the Executive (government), executive authorities of Hong Kong Special administrative regions of China, ...

began issuing public announcements to citizens not to boil wax. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department began patrolling public parks and areas during the three-day festival period, requesting citizens not to light too many candles at once and to prevent wax burning. A law was implemented in 2003 prohibiting "melt or burn any wax or sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax, in such a manner as to cause or as to be likely to cause a risk of injury to any person or damage to any property" in public parks, beaches or barbecue areas. Offenders face a maximum penalty of HK$2,000 and 14 days imprisonment. The Housing Department (HD) also prohibits the practice, claiming that five points deduction and a $1,500 fixed penalty notice will be imposed on offenders in its public housing estates. Leaving behind wax stains in public places will also fall under "littering" and is liable to a HK$1,500 fine.

References

Culture of Hong Kong {{HongKong-stub