In Hong Kong this week, hundreds of thousands of people hoping to make their fortune, braved cold and wet weather this week to get "loans" from the Goddess of Mercy. Thousands of people queued overnight to be the first to offer prayers to the Buddhist-Taoist goddess, known as Kwun Yum. The goddess is reputed to make dreams come true and on the 26th day of the first month of the lunar calendar, which falls on Wednesday this year, she opens her "bank vault" to followers. According to traditional Buddhist and Taoist beliefs, devotees offer prayers to Kwun Yum, and hand in a written note declaring the amount of money they require. They must also donate cash - so-called lai see or lucky money - which goes towards the operating costs of the temple.