如果说火把节是“围着火庆祝”，那么广东佛山南海的“跳火光”则更加大胆——人们真的会从燃烧的火堆上跳过去。这项习俗在当地已经流传了三百多年，如今通常在农历正月十五举行。
While the Torch Festival is about celebrating around fire, the Chishan Fire-Jumping Ritual in Nanhai, Foshan, Guangdong, takes things a step further: people actually leap over burning piles of fire. The tradition has been passed down locally for more than 300 years and is traditionally held around the 15th day of the first lunar month.
传说清代乾隆年间，当地曾遭遇严重旱灾，村民在法师指引下通过“跳火光”祈求风调雨顺、生活安康。如今，仪式通常先进行舞狮和巡礼，随后点燃稻草等材料形成火堆，村民依次跃过火焰。这种看似惊险的动作背后，其实寄托着人们驱除晦气、祈求平安的愿望。
According to local tradition, during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty, the village suffered a severe drought. People were reportedly advised to perform the fire-jumping ritual to pray for favorable weather and a peaceful life. Today, the event usually begins with lion dances and a ceremonial procession, followed by the lighting of a fire pile made from materials such as straw. Villagers then take turns jumping over the flames, expressing hopes of leaving behind bad luck and welcoming peace and good fortune.