By South China Morning Post | Created at 2025-03-29 06:01:37 | Updated at 2025-03-31 19:24:15
2 days ago
A pregnant woman in Taiwan miscarried and suffered severe burns after following ritual instructions to place firecrackers between her legs, shocking many people online.
On February 19, 2023, the woman surnamed Qiu, who worked as a nurse at a plastic surgery clinic, was invited by a temple staff member surnamed Zhang to participate in a “blessing ritual” at a temple in Miaoli county, Taiwan.
As a part of the ritual, Zhang instructed her to remove her shoes and socks, spread her feet apart so that she was standing over the firecrackers with a foot on either side of them.
Another member of temple staff, surnamed Wu, then ignited the firecrackers.
While setting off firecrackers is a common celebratory and protective custom across China, and is believed to ward off negative spirits and attract good fortune, placing firecrackers between one’s legs while standing is highly unusual.
The firecrackers left Qiu with severe burns covering 30 per cent of her body, and led to her miscarrying. Despite surgery she has still not fully recovered.
