Monday, February 18, 2013

Chinese New Year - the Ninth day

Today, the Ninth day of Chinese New Year, is the birthday of the Jade Emperor. He is the Supreme Deity in Taoism. All deities of the heaven and the earth celebrate this day.

The birthday of the Jade Emperor is an important occasion for the Fujian/Hokkien community who worship him with incense and food offerings. The ritual starts on the eve of the 9th day of Chinese New Year, i.e., last night. If you have been kept awake by fireworks and firecrackers last night and into the wee hours of the morning, know that you were also an (indirect) participant in the celebration. Kidding, of course.

Last night was a busy night for people who were preparing for the worship. You can read about the preparation in the 8th day post.

For the other communities not involved in this ritual, today is just another Chinese New Year day. The merry-making of house-visits, get-togethers, and dinners are still going on.


Related articles:
- Chinese New Year eve - the Reunion dinner
- Chinese New Year - the First day
- Chinese New Year - the Second day
- Chinese New Year - the Third day
- Chinese New Year - the Fourth day
- Chinese New Year - the Fifth day
- Chinese New Year - the Sixth day
- Chinese New Year - the Seventh day
- Chinese New Year - the Eighth day

1 comment:

  1. Very strange CNY eve & Pai Ti Gong eve slept like a baby despite the boom boom pow. Think gotta do with the mind. Those days will think and say 'die lor tonight can't sleep' and sure can't sleep. But this year not to focus on it and slept right through or perhaps even worst to know is Bananaz going deaf with age coming up? Huhhhhh????

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