Liquidity (6) - Extreme piercing at the Vegetarian Festival, Phuket, Thailand

The Nine Emperor God festival is Taoist, and is held annually on the ninth day if the ninth lunar month when it is believed that the gods, who usually reside in the constellation of the Big Dipper, descend to Earth for Nine days to bring blessings and renewal to their devotees. It is a major event in the religious calendars of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. In the Thai festival in Phuket, extreme piercing has grown increasingly popular since the 1970s. It is performed altruistically as it is held that by suffering oneself, you can relieve the suffering of others. In the process, the possessed spirit mediums who get pierced gain spiritual merits, increasing the possibility of a fortunate next life reincarnation.