Does the Qixi Festival involve worshipping Kui Xing?
There is a custom of worshipping Kui Xing during the Qixi Festival.The first star of the Big Dipper is called Kui Xing, which is a god in ancient Chinese mythology that controls the prosperity and decline of literature. In the hearts of ancient scholars, Kui Xing holds the highest status.
It is said that July 7th is the birthday of Kui Xing. Since Kui Xing is the deity who oversees academic matters, students who seek to achieve success in their studies especially revere him. Therefore, people worship Kui Xing on the Qixi Festival, praying for his protection and good fortune in exams.
[The Image of Kui Xing]
Kui Xing has a fierce appearance, with a golden body, blue face, red hair, and round eyes, with two horns on his head, resembling a ghost-like figure. His right hand holds a large brush, known as the "red brush," symbolizing the act of marking the names of those who pass the examination. His left hand holds an ink stick, and his right foot stands on one leg, stepping on the head of a large turtle-like creature in the sea, representing the phrase "standing alone at the top." The left foot is raised and kicked to match the stroke of the character "Kui" on the right side. His feet are shaped like the Big Dipper.
What preparations are needed for worshipping Kui Xing?
The ceremony of worshipping Kui Xing should be held under moonlight, similar to worshipping the Weaving Maid.Before worshipping Kui Xing, a paper figure must be made, representing Kui Xing. The paper figure is about two chi tall and five or six cun wide, with a blue face, round eyes, a brocade robe, and black boots. The left hand holds a red beard extending across the chest, while the right hand holds a red brush. It is placed on the altar.
To worship Kui Xing, sacrifices are needed. A ram's head is essential, and it must be a male ram with a beard and horns. After cooking the ram's head, the two horns are wrapped in red paper and placed in a tray, then placed before the image of "Kui Xing." Other offerings such as tea and wine are optional.
Those participating in the worship of Kui Xing perform the ritual under the light of candles and moon. After ringing the cannon and burning incense, they bow and pay homage. Then, they gather around the table for a meal. During the meal, they play a game called "Seeking Academic Success" to add fun. Three dried fruits—lychee nuts, hazelnuts, and peanuts—are used to represent the three top positions in the imperial examination: the状元 (Zhuangyuan), the榜眼 (Bangyan), and the探花 (Tanhua). One person holds one of each type of dried fruit and throws them onto the table. As they roll randomly, whichever fruit stops in front of someone, that person becomes the状元, 榜眼, or 探花. If all the dried fruits roll away from everyone, no one gets a "degree," and they must throw again, called "re-examination." If all three land correctly, it is called "three successful candidates." If only two of them land correctly, for example, if the lychee nuts and hazelnuts don't land properly, but the peanuts stop in front of someone, that person is considered the 探花. Each throw is called "one exam session," and the person who gets the 探花 is toasted by others. The ones who failed the exam continue to "seek academic success" in the next session, while those who have achieved success do not participate. This continues until everyone has achieved a "degree." At the end of the event, cannons are fired, and the paper offering and Kui Xing image are burned.
