The decorated carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, is paraded in Sanxia district in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 2, 2017. The winner of Taiwan's “holy pig” ceremony on Thursday defended the lunar new year tradition against critics who argue the fattened animals are raised under cruel conditions. The ceremony harkens back to a time when early Chinese settlers to Taiwan used to pray to mountain gods and local deities for protection against wild animals and other threats. Each new year, the fattened pigs are slaughtered and the carcasses decorated and paraded through the streets of Sanhsia, a traditional district in northern Taiwan, to the temple. The owner of the biggest pig wins the competition and with it an auspicious sign that the year to come will be a lucky one. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, is attached to a frame during a sacrificial ceremony in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





A family member of the owner of winner of the “holy pig” contest holds a photo of the animal during a parade in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 2, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, is attached to a metal frame during a sacrificial ceremony in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)




Worshippers look on as the decorated carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, is paraded in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 2, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The blood of a pig pools on the ground during a sacrificial ceremony in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Worshippers gather around the decorated carcasses of sacrificial pigs, winners of the “holy pig” contest in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 2, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Worshippers take photos of the decorated carcasses of sacrificial pigs, winners of the “holy pig” contest in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 2, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Worshippers decorate the carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, during a sacrificial ceremony at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Worshippers remove the hair from the carcass of a fattened pig which is winner of the “holy pig” contest, during a sacrificial ceremony at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The carcass of a fattened pig, which weighs 844 KG (1,861 lb) and is winner of the “holy pig” contest, lies after being slaughtered during sacrificial ceremony at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The carcass of a fattened pig, winner of the “holy pig” contest, is slaughtered during a sacrificial ceremony in Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Trophy for the "holy pig" contest, is seen before a “holy pig” sacrificial ceremony, at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





The knife used to cut the throat of a fattened pig is seen before the “holy pig” sacrificial ceremony, at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





Worshippers tie-up a fattened pig which weighs 844 KG (1,861 lb) and is winner of the “holy pig” contest, before a sacrificial ceremony at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)





A fattened pig which weighs 844 KG (1,861 lb), the winner of the “holy pig” contest, is seen in a pen before a sacrificial ceremony at Sanxia district, in New Taipei City, Taiwan February 1, 2017. (Photo by Tyrone Siu/Reuters)