Saturday 5 January 2008

La Yue Customs (Lunar 12 Month Customs) – Jade Emperor Inspecting the Mortal World (農曆臘月習俗之玉皇出巡)

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After Kitchen Deity returned to Celestial Palace on the 24th Day to do the reporting on the credits & merits of the Mortals, Jade Emperor of Heaven will personal make an Inspection on the 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month on the Mortal World.

In the Old Days, on the 25th Day, the folks will wake up extremely early to do some preparations before Jade Emperor starts he's inspection.

So what are the preparations?

On the 25th Day early morning, the Ladies will tidy up the home, retrieve back any hanging clothing outside the house, prepare the Offerings for entertaining the Deities that pass by their homes, whereas the Men will wash the corridor & any pathways outside their house, making sure that the floor is clean and dustless, in case of any Deities that walk pass, etc.

After all these, the folks will shower and change into new clothing. This is to show the Deities that they are sincere and giving the highest respect to the Deities.

Besides that, the house will be brightly-lit, this is to symbolize the getting rid of any Negative Forces and allowing the Positive Energies that released by the Deities to be enhanced into the house.

So what offerings must prepare?

Usually will be the normal offerings, such as Oranges, Teas, Traditional Cookies.

Due to this is the period that the Chinese doing preparation for the New Year, so Nian Gao and some auspicious food items will also be used as offering for the Deities.

After all cleaning & preparations, the folks will start to pay respect to Jade Emperor and the other Deities.

On this day, no one is to make any arguments or quarreling, no killing of animals, no washing of any stuff after the morning preparation, etc.

All such actions (including arguments & conflicts) will only resume after 11Pm in the night.


7 comments:

  1. Preparation for Jade Emperor of Heaven Inspection Day 恭迎御駕儀式

    Dear All,

    Today is the 24th Day of Lunar 12 Month, which is also the Day for the Sending-off of Kitchen Deity to Heaven for the Annual Reporting & also the Eve day of Jade Emperor of Heaven Inspection Day. Have you made the necessary preparation?

    I’m sure you will ask what to prepare? Hahahaha, no need to worry too much, just some simple stuffs to prepare for the Offering.

    What are the necessary items that needed to be prepared?

    Here are some quick recommendations (according to Hokkien Custom):

    1 – Nian Gao
    2 – 1 set of 5 Oranges
    3 – 3 cups of Wine
    4 – Huat Kueh
    5 – Some flowers (5 colours)

    Place all the offerings on the Main Altar at home, for those who have a Jade Emperor Altar outside the house, then place them on the outdoor Altar.

    Before the paying of respect, one self shall be cleaned up, change to a new outfit, maintain calm & peace.

    Once the clock strikes 0000 Hour tonight, the Offering can start. If cant, then can do it in the morning before 0900 Am (as early as possible).

    During the paying of respect, the other members shall not make any noises, quarrel or having any conflicts.

    After lighting the incenses, face out to the Heaven, simply make 3 Bows to the Heaven and then, pay respect to the Home Deities. Do not close the Windows.

    If you are doing the paying of respect at night, do left the lights on till the next morning. If not, try to keep the candles lighting.

    For those who pay respect at night, on the next morning (the actual 25th Day), after waking-up, wash-up, remember to do another round of paying respect.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you very much. This is great merit for you Shifu. Hope everybody would follow Shifu's recommendations and gain merits.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Today, 25th Day of Lunar 12 Month, 01 Feb 2008, is the day that Jade Emperor of Heaven make his inspection on the Mortal World.

    If you can, do visit any Taoist Temples that are located around your area.

    This is a good day to pa respect to Heaven & Deities.

    All the best :P

    Wu Liang Guan
    Wu Liang Shou

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jave, who is the deity at the left bottom conner?

    ReplyDelete
  5. That is Kui Xing aka Deity of Academic Study.

    ReplyDelete
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