The 9th day of the first lunar month is commonly known as "Heavenly Emperor's Birthday," and it is one of the traditional festivals in Chinese folk culture. There are many customs and taboos associated with this day. The first lunar month is one of the most important months in our country, as it also includes the Spring Festival. Want to know more about the first lunar month? Click on the 2022 First Lunar Month special section on Huayi Network for more information.

What is the 9th day of the first lunar month?

The 9th day of the first lunar month is commonly known as "Heavenly Emperor's Birthday." In Fujian and Taiwan, it is called "Heavenly Father's Birthday." It is one of the traditional lunar festivals of the Han nationality. This day is the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the highest deity in the celestial realm. The Heavenly Father refers to the Jade Emperor, who is the supreme god governing all realms and all gods, as well as the myriad beings on earth. He represents the ultimate power of heaven. According to legend, all deities from heaven and earth will celebrate this day in grand style. The Jade Emperor descends to the earthly realm on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month to inspect the situation in different regions. Based on the morality and behavior of people, he rewards the virtuous and punishes the wicked. On the afternoon of his birthday, the Jade Emperor returns to the heavenly palace. At this time, all Taoist temples hold grand ceremonies to celebrate. On the birthday of the Jade Emperor, people hold festivals to express their joy. From midnight to early morning on that day, the sound of firecrackers can be heard continuously. Women usually prepare incense, flowers, candles, and vegetarian dishes, placing them in open areas such as courtyards or alleyways to worship the heavens, hoping for blessings from the Heavenly Father. This reflects the Han people's desire to eliminate evil, avoid disasters, and pray for good fortune, expressing their hope for a happy life.

Things to Note When Worshiping the Heavenly Father

Before worshiping the Heavenly Father, the whole family needs to take a bath and wear clean and tidy clothes. On the 9th day of the first lunar month, it is strictly forbidden for family members to hang up clothes, especially women's pants, undergarments, or empty garbage bins, as a sign of respect for the Jade Emperor. If sacrificial offerings include animals, only a rooster should be used, not a hen. If someone wants to fulfill a vow, a whole pig or a whole sheep must be used. Some devout families feel that worshiping at home is not enough, so they go to various Heavenly Father temples during the night. For example, the Tian Tan Temple on Zhongyi Road in Tainan, the Tian Gong Temple in Kaohsiung, and the Nanzhi Palace in Muzha are always brightly lit and lively every year on the eighth day of the first lunar month. On the day of the Heavenly Father's Birthday, there is also a ceremony called "Setting up the Tai Sui." People whose birth year is the same as the current year can go to the temple, write down their name and age, add some money for incense, and entrust the temple to offer it on their behalf. Another method of setting up the Tai Sui is to use a rice container normally used to store rice at the beginning of the year, wrap it with red paper to make a stove, write "Tai Sui Star God Has Arrived Here," and then remember to burn incense and offer sacrifices every day. This can help ensure smooth luck in the year of one's zodiac sign.