Piercing Through Evil

Vegetarian festival devotees parade through the streets of downtown Phuket, Thailand. Participants in the festival pierce their bodies to shift evil spirits from others onto themselves and bring good luck to the community.
Oct. 10, 2013. Vegetarian festival devotees parade through the streets of downtown Phuket, Thailand. The festival celebrates a brief abstinence in meat and various stimulants to obtain good health. Some participants act as mediums for gods and pierce their bodies to rid the area of evil spirits and bring good luck to the community.Paula Bronstein—Getty Images

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