This hairclip belonged to a majie, a Cantonese female domestic helper. In adherence to tradition, majies underwent a sor hei (combing up) ceremony where they took an oath before a statuette of Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) to remain unmarried and celibate. Sor hei, in literal terms, means to “comb up” the hair into a bun or plait.
