Follow Philippine immigration and listen to stories from the Philippines: In China, black is generally considered an inauspicious color. However, in some regions of our country and in various countries abroad, there are indeed carnivals themed around the color black. On this day, people immerse themselves in a sea of black. If you wish to experience something different, why not embark on a journey to a black-themed festival?
The Feast of the Black Nazarene is the most important religious festival in Manila, Philippines. Every year on January 9th, millions of people participate in the procession of the Black Nazarene statue from the Quirino Grandstand to the Quiapo Church. The life-sized statue of Jesus wears a purple robe, carries a large cross, and has an exceptionally dark complexion. The highlight of the celebration occurs near midday, when men participating in the ritual go barefoot, scrambling to carry the statue. Tens of thousands of Filipinos, upon seeing the Black Nazarene being carried out by devotees, push forward desperately, hoping to touch the statue and pray for peace and joy.
In 1606, during the journey of Spanish missionaries transporting the statue of Jesus from Mexico to the Philippines, the ship caught fire. However, the statue survived, though it was scorched black. The missionaries and believers considered this a miracle, believing it was a manifestation of the statue's divine power that kept it intact. Later, carpenters repainted the statue black, and it was enshrined in the church, where it continued to perform miracles. Consequently, Filipinos hold the Feast of the Black Nazarene every January 9th, bringing the statue out for a procession. Filipinos believe that if one is lucky enough to touch the statue during the procession, their sins will be washed away. Due to the massive crowds during the procession, many find it difficult to get close to the statue, which led to the practice of believers throwing white handkerchiefs toward the statue, praying for the cleansing of their sins and hoping for good luck in the coming year.