How to Worship the Jade Emperor (拜天公) Correctly During CNY 2024

During the Lunar New Year, on the ninth day, it is common to see neighbors and community members cleaning their houses and preparing offerings to worship the Jade Emperor, followed by the loud sounds of firecrackers.

This day is known as the Jade Emperor’s birthday or “Heaven’s Birthday.” For many devotees, this is an important day. In Fujian, it is even referred to as “celebrating the Little New Year.” On this day, people worship to express gratitude to the Jade Emperor for his blessings and pray for peace.

But do you know why people worship the Jade Emperor, or if the steps you follow at home are correct? Are you aware of the many taboos associated with this worship? Let us answer these questions for you!

The Origin of Worshiping the Jade Emperor

The “Jade Emperor” in Taoism refers to the “Jade Emperor” or the “Primordial Heavenly Venerable.” He is the supreme deity who governs the universe, commanding the three realms, ten directions, four life forms, and six paths. But why do people worship the Jade Emperor? There are several theories:

1. It traces back to the creation myth of Nüwa, who created the world and all living beings. The first ten days of the lunar year are dedicated to the ‘Chicken’, ‘Dog’, ‘Pig’, ‘Sheep’, ‘Cow’, ‘Horse’, ‘Human’, ‘Grain’, ‘Heaven’, and ‘Earth’, with the ninth day being ‘Heaven’s Day’ and the tenth day ‘Earth’s Day’, marking the Jade Emperor’s and the Earth God’s birthdays respectively.
2. Taoism views the first month as the beginning of the year, the start of the seasons, and the origin of wood element, where life begins to sprout. The number ‘nine’ is considered the ultimate yang number in Chinese culture, symbolizing ‘innumerability’ and ‘maximum’, hence the first ninth day of the year is celebrated as the Jade Emperor’s birthday.
3. A folk belief suggests that on the ninth day of the first month, the Jade Emperor manifested himself to save lives, hence people worship to thank him for his grace.

Regardless of the theory, people worship the Jade Emperor on this day is to show respect and gratitude to heaven!

Why Do Hokkien People Worship the Jade Emperor?

Worshiping the Jade Emperor is a significant custom among Hokkien people, widely practiced in Fujian, southern Fujian, Hainan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and other areas with Hokkien/Minnan communities.

There are various folk tales, but the most popular one dates back to the Ming Dynasty. During one Lunar New Year, Japanese pirates raided the Fujian coast, killing and looting.

As locals fled with their families, they stumbled upon a sugarcane grove that offered a hiding place, allowing them to escape unharmed.

Many believe this was the Jade Emperor’s blessing, leading to the annual worship on the ninth day of the first month to thank him for saving their lives, with sugarcane becoming an essential offering. Sugarcane when pronounced in Hokkien rhymes with “thank you”.

This is the origin of the Hokkien/Minnan people’s tradition of worshiping the Jade Emperor!

When to Worship the Jade Emperor?

The days designated to worship the Jade Emperor include Chinese New Year’s Eve, the first day of the Lunar New Year, and the ninth day of the first lunar month.

1. Chinese New Year’s Eve: Many families thank the Jade Emperor for his care over the past year by worshipping him from 11 PM on New Year’s Eve to 1 AM the following day, a practice known as “bidding farewell to the old year.”
2. The First Day of the Lunar New Year: Some people worship the Jade Emperor from 11 PM on New Year’s Eve to 1 AM on the first day of the lunar new year, celebrating the arrival of the New Year, also called “greeting the new.”
3. The Ninth Day of the First Lunar Month: The ninth day of the first lunar month is the Jade Emperor’s birthday, also known as “Heaven’s Birthday.” The main worship takes place at midnight on this day, with the latest offerings made before 7 AM the following morning. It’s believed that the earlier one worships, the more sincere the devotion.

Dates to Worship the Jade Emperor in 2024

• On 9 February 2024 (29th day of the 12th lunar month), the best time for worship is during Zi Hour (11 pm to 1 am on the eve of the Lunar New Year’s Eve).
  Offerings include Heavenly Gold, various meats, fruits (apples, pears, pineapples, sugarcane – all in odd numbers), rice cake, sugar cake, candies (winter melon candy, pistachios, peanut candy), dry goods (lily buds, glass noodles, black fungus), flowers, candles, and tea.
• On 10 February 2024 (1st day of the 1st lunar month), the auspicious time is from Zi Hour (11 pm of Lunar New Year’s Eve to 1 am) to Wu Hour (11 am to 1 pm).
  Offerings are similar but include radish cake, raw rice, and alcoholic beverages.
• On 18 February 2024 (9th day of the 1st lunar month), worship is ideal from Zi Hour (11 pm of the 8th day to 1 am) to 6 am.
  Offerings include Heavenly Gold, fruits, desserts, and red turtle cakes.

How to Worship the Jade Emperor?

Taboos in Worshiping the Jade Emperor

Not everyone is allowed to worship the Jade Emperor.

• Those in mourning, women in confinement, and women on their menstrual cycle are prohibited from worshiping.
• The chicken offered must be a castrated rooster. White-feathered chickens and hens are not allowed.
• Do not hang underwear outside, especially women’s underwear, which is considered a major taboo.
• Avoid using vulgar language. Refrain from using inauspicious words to avoid disrespecting the Jade Emperor.
• Do not dispose of waste carelessly. Household waste water should not be dumped outside, to avoid defiling the Jade Emperor’s presence.
• Do not sweep the floor. On the ninth day, do not sweep outdoors, and indoor trash should be disposed of the next day.
• No Slaughtering. On the day of worship, any form of slaughtering is strictly forbidden.
• Before you worship the Jade Emperor, it is not permissible to be drunk, as slurred speech and the smell of alcohol can negatively impact both oneself and others nearby.

There are specific items that should not be used as offerings, including fruits that should not be placed on the offering table:

• Fruits with “fan” in their name: Fruits with “fan” in their name carry inauspicious meanings, such as guava (fan shi liu) and tomato (fan qie), and are not suitable.
• Fruits with strong odors: Durian’s pungent and strange odor makes it unsuitable for worship.
• Custard apple (Shijia): Its appearance resembling the head of “Sakyamuni Buddha” makes it inappropriate for offerings.
• Plums: Due to Laozi (also known as Taishang Laojun) having the name Li Er, to avoid his name, Taoism does not use plums.
• Exotic fruits: Such as starfruit (yang tao), using foreign foods for worship is seen as insincere and thus not suitable.
• Fruits with many seeds: As fruits like guava and tomatoes can cause indigestion and their seeds spread everywhere after consumption, making them feel unclean, they are also not suitable for worship.

Generally, “round fruits” are more welcomed because they symbolize “completeness.”

Not worshipping the Jade Emperor won’t necessarily bring misfortune, but offering worship ensures blessings. If time is tight, even a brief visit to pay respects at a nearby temple can be meaningful. Worship is a cherished tradition inherited from our ancestors, carrying deep significance. Always remember, it’s essential to maintain respect when you worship the Jade Emperor.

Worshipping the Jade Emperor (拜天公) in CNY 2024

For Hokkien people and many others in the Chinese community, worshiping the Jade Emperor is an important tradition and ritual, with meticulous attention paid to the timing and arrangement of offerings.

We hope this introduction helps you understand the origins and requirements of worshiping the Jade Emperor!