In my earlier post on the meaning of the 15 days of the Lunar New Year, I mentioned that on the fourth day, it is the day to pray 太岁/Tài Suì for a year of protection and to avert adversities. Now I am going to tell you more about him.
He is also known as the Great Duke Jupiter. He has nothing to do with the planet Jupiter. According to ancient Chinese astronomy and astrology, he is an intangible star which moves directly opposite the planet Jupiter. He is worshipped by Taoism followers.
There are a total of sixty heavenly generals who assist the Jade Emperor in taking charge of the well-being of the mortal world. Each year, there would be a new Tài Suì and they would take turns to be in charge of the good and bad fortune of the world for a year. They mainly have a military background and are usually known as Military Generals (大将军- Dà Jiàng Jūn). Each statue of Tài Suì has a different expression and holds a different weapon, all of which are related to the fleeting fortune of that year.
Each year, there will be some zodiac signs that have opposing forces with the Tài Suì. There are three types of opposing forces: Offend 犯太岁, Clash 冲太岁 and Conflict 刑太岁.
For 2023, people who were born in the Year of the Rabbit, Chicken, Rat and Horse are said to suffer some form of bad fortune this year. According to Taoist practice, in order to have a blessed year, they will have to go to the temple to pray 太岁/Tai Sui for a year of protection and to avert adversities.
Even though we are not Taoism (we are Buddhists), my mum would still go to the temple and pray on our behalf. It has become a superstitious thing for her. There is a small fee to pay and the temple will pray to Tài Suì on our behalf. Before the Winter Solstice (冬至- Dōng Zhì), the people from that zodiac sign have to return to the temple to say thanks to the God.
If you happen to holiday in Singapore, I would suggest a visit to this historic temple Thian Hock Keng, along Telok Ayer street. It is a rare temple that encompasses Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. It has a very long history and houses a number of deities’ statues.