Lighting of Blessing Lantern on Li Chun Day (立春點燈添富貴)

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Finally, the Spring had arrived in the Mortal World, while the everyone is enjoying the Joyous of the Arrival of Spring, in Taoism/Chinese Culture, we have a practise of Lighting the Blessing Lantern on Li Chun Day.

So what is Blessing Lantern?

In Chinese, we address it as Ping An Deng (requesting for Blessing thru-out the Year平安燈), Fu Gui Deng (requesting for Prosperity富貴燈), Guang Ming Deng (requesting for Smoothness & Brightness光明燈) or Chang Shou Deng (request for Healthy & Longevity長壽燈), such titles are being addressed according to what Oneself requested or wish to request. Usually such Lanterns come in Red Rounded form with Nice pattern being printed on it, after hanging up onto the Roof of the Temple, the Lantern will stay there for a Year. In some Temples, there will use Candles (斗燭) to act as the Blessing Lantern, usually such Candles can only light for 3-9 Days, after then, the Devotees will need to return to the Temple during Big Occasions or Festivals to relight the Candles, this is also acceptable and Blessing will still be “valid”.

During the Lighting of the Blessing Lantern, a Priest or the Person-in-charge will write the Name of Oneself or the whole Family onto the Lantern and upon completion, the Lantern will be bring forward to the Main Altar of the Temple and the Priest or Person-in-charge will assist the Devotees in making the Reporting & Requesting.

So for such Lighting of Blessing Lantern, does it really help?

Frequently speaking, Yes, it does help certain People, especially for those who didn’t make any form of Un-necessary & Realistic requests.

And of cos, the Temple/place that Oneself choose to light the Blessing Lantern also play a part in the making of the Requesting/Wish comes True.

So what type of Temple/Place Oneself can go for the Lighting of such Blessing Lanterns?

In Singapore, there are quite a number of Temples/Places that provide such services, but due to the Energies & Activities that take place in the Temples/Places, for some people, after they lighted the Blessing Lanterns, more issues happen rather then Blessings being bestowed upon them.

1 Oneself shall try to avoid Temples/Places that conduct Consultation Sessions by Mediums

2 Temples/Places with Main Deities which are Heavenly Deities and not Nether World Deities

3 Oneself shall try to avoid Temples/Places with Ancestral Halls being set-up

4 Oneself shall try to avoid Temples/Places that don’t allow Devotees to be present while the Lantern is being hang-up

5 Temples/Places with Priest or Person-in-charge doing the Reporting & Requesting while hanging of the Lantern

So what are the items that needed to prepare before going for the Lighting of Blessing Lantern?

Oneself need not worry on the items to prepare or buy. Usually when you are at the Temple/Place, they will prepare the Necessary Offerings for you to do the Honouring to the Deities.

Best is, remember to wear RED while going for such Lighting of Blessing Lanterns.

So usually how much does such Blessing Lanterns cost?

Normally such Blessing Lanterns’ cost can be range from S$10 – S$38 per Lantern, if the cost of the Lantern goes beyond S$50, then I will advise you all not to purchase it, cos usually such Temples/Places are using the Lantern to earn extra Commercial Value/Money.

So in Singapore, where can Oneself Light the Blessing Lantern?

As mentioned above, there are quite a number of Temples/Places that perform such Lighting of Blessing Lanterns for Devotees, but remember not to get Con.

Look for Temples with Main Deities which are Heavenly Deities.

Here are a few that Oneself can consider for the Lighting of the Blessing Lanterns for the Lunar Year:

Sembawang Tian Hou Temple (三巴旺天后宮) – Admiralty Street (Woodlands Ave 10)

Last of ALL, Long Shan Men will like to wish ALL of you, having a Joyous Lunar New Year ahead, everything is Smooth & everyone is enjoying Brightness in their Life.

春始花開顯富貴。
點燈求福樂連年。
光明長映消災厄。
處處平安貴人協。