摘要 | 目的：過火儀式常見於臺灣廟宇慶典，尤以臺灣南部地區為然。在正午時分，由徹底燃燒的木炭或紙錢堆積而成火堆，在以食鹽、白米撲灑以降溫的短暫時限，讓信徒依序抬著神轎走過，以此表達對神明的崇信與表彰自身的純淨，進而祈求上天的賜福與來年的平安。方法：我們報告一次廟會過火所發生的灼傷事故，總共有來自臺灣各地的16位信徒不幸受傷。結果；此16位信徒因過火儀式造成足底二至三度的接觸性燙傷，經過搶救和後續追蹤發現，此種燙傷之痊癒視其嚴重度需時2至3週以上，且由於癒後足底表皮層變薄，造成日後易於因行走而磨擦受傷，對病患之生活品質造成相當的影響。結論：進一步的探討過火儀式的過程，我們發現，其實過火儀式本身是相當安全的民間慶典儀式，只要遵循廟祝的指示，將火堆打實、挑除鐵塊雜質，再撲灑食鹽和白米以降溫，趁著回溫前列隊快速通過，減少與火堆接觸的時問，就可以平安無事的過關，因此，過火儀式的意外事故，非關乎崇信或淨身與否，實與準備周全與否相關，這樣的事故應該是可以預防的。 Background and Purpose: "Crossing fire", known as "Guohuo" in Mandarin, is a commonly seen ceremony at many temples and shrine festivities in Taiwan, especially in the southern region. During this ceremony, Taoism disciples walk over a pile of flaming coals or paper, with salt and rice applied on top of it to decrease its temperature, to pray for spiritual purification and year-round safety. Methods: We report a "crossing fire" incident that caused 16 Taoism disciples to suffer from contact burns on the soles of their feet whilst walking over the burning coals. Results: Deep second to third degree burns with large vesicles formation were noted and healing took as long as two weeks in some patients. Due to epidermal thinning after the burn injuries, the patients' soles became fragile and no longer able to withstand friction, causing difficulties in their daily life afterwards. Conclusion: Further investigation revealed that this ceremony was actually very safe under well-controlled conditions. According to the folklorist, the fire pile should be beaten to become compact, adding rice and salt as a buffer to decrease its temperature. The Taoist disciples should pass across quickly in order to minimize contact with the fire. The accident was not caused by impurity or disbelief but by inadequate preparation. |
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