The ninth day of the first lunar month: The birthday of the God of Heaven – Malaysian Chinese customs of worshipping the God of Heaven

"The Birth of the Jade God on the Ninth Day of the Lunar New Year: Malaysian Chinese Worship Customs of the Jade God" is the first book dedicated to the Chinese custom of worshipping the Jade God in Malaysia. It uses historical documents to demonstrate that worshipping the Jade God is practiced in many parts of China, not just in Fujian. The practice did not originate in the massacre of Fujianese people, but rather stems from the Taoist classics that record the Jade Emperor's birth at noon on the ninth day of the Lunar New Year. The book also explains the numerous offerings, including cakes, sacrificial offerings, fruit, tea, candied fruit, the Five Animals, sugarcane, tea and wine, incense and candles, tablecloths, Jade God seats, and paper money, as well as how to improve luck and other aspects of the custom. The book features over 700 full-color images.

Li Yongqiu

He was born in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, and his ancestral home was Koukeng Village, Bokou Township, Yongtai, Fujian (formerly the eldest branch of the Li family in Hutou, Anxi, Fujian).

After graduating from Form 3 at Taiping Hua Lian National Type Secondary School, he assisted his father in his hawker business while conducting field research on history, folklore, and culture. He published articles in newspapers and magazines under pen names such as Li Tao Li and Baba Qiu.

In 2004, he became a full-time cultural and historical worker and participated in many academic paper presentations at home and abroad.

He has published several books and served as the host of the documentaries "Baba Ball" and "Pirates and King Ships", and the ASTRO AEC 13-episode documentary series "Whose Tradition?"

Currently, he is a columnist for the Sin Chew Daily e-newsletter, a cultural and historical worker, a tour guide for Taiping cultural and historical sites, and a pipa singer.

Preface by Zheng Wenquan: People still offer sacrifices to heaven!
Yan Jiajian's Preface: The Emperor of Heaven and the Father of Heaven
Liao Wenhui's preface: Confucianism bases etiquette on human nature
Preface: God's Blessing

[I] Preface: Reverence and Gratitude for Nature

【2】Birth of the 9th day of the first lunar month and worship of the God of Heaven

【3】Tiangong Festival is popular in China

【IV】A variety of offerings <br />Noodles, eggs, fruits, vegetarian food, dumplings, tea, candied fruit, five kinds of animals, sugar cane, tea and wine

[V] A wide variety of cakes and pastries : Red turtle, red clam, red ball, red peach, noodle peach, noodle turtle, rice cake, turmeric rice, taro grass turtle, bangshe turtle, fermented turtle, sweet cake, gardenia cake, jujube cake, hair cake, bowl cake, steamed bun, vegetable bird's nest, meat dumpling, cake, egg cake, peach cake, fermented cake, fried dough, wedding cake, other cakes and pastries, vegetable bowl cake, flatbread, rice and sesame cake, rice balls, large cake flower, other biscuits, the number of twelve, spring flower decoration

[Six] Sacrificial animals, food, and wine from land, sea, and air <br />Sacrificial animals, wine, live pigs, roasted pigs, castrated chickens, vegetables, vegetable bowls, rice, noodles, and killing animals for sacrifice are ancient rituals.

[7] Sacrificial objects: dragon, lion and drum. <br /> Altar, tablecloth, flowers, incense, candles, stone treasures (Three Realms Lanterns), large gold, small gold, longevity gold, lamp materials, god ingots, gold tribute, Tiandao money, Tiangong shirt, Baijie and noble talismans, high money, lanterns, prayers, dragon incense, Tiangong seat, Tiangong pavilion, paper products, drums, dragon and lion flags, burning paper are denigrated and criticized.

[8] How to worship the God of Heaven?
How to perform the kneeling ceremony, how to make a prayer, the time of worship, individual and group worship of the God of Heaven, worshipping the God of Heaven at home or at a temple, Baba worships are not public, simple worship and stopping worship of the God of Heaven, can I worship the God of Heaven at my own home, what should I pay attention to when worshipping the God of Heaven at someone else's home, there is no need to choose an auspicious time and direction for worshipping the God of Heaven and there is no conflict with the Chinese zodiac, taboos on the God of Heaven's birthday

【9】Who is not qualified to worship the CREATOR?
Can people in mourning worship the CREATOR? Can people in mourning touch offerings? Can I touch offerings while I'm menstruating? Can I worship the CREATOR while I'm menstruating?

【10】The birthday of God will improve your fortune<br />How to get rid of the problem by acting as a substitute?

【11】Are Fujianese people wolves?

【12】The Qing troops entered Fujian and the legend of the festival

【13】The Custom of Worshiping the God of Heaven in New Year Songs

【Fourteen】Ten days after the age of

[15] Do Teochew people worship the God of Heaven?

【16】Folk traditions need everyone’s love and care

[17] Is offering rich sacrifices to the gods a bribe?

[18] Why are sacrifices made with animals, wine, music, and incense?

[19] God of Heaven, the parents of heaven and earth, and the blessings of heavenly officials

【20】The gate of heaven opens on the seventh day of the sixth lunar month

【21st】Welcome the Jade Emperor on December 25th

【22】Tian Gong Cake and Red Turtle

【23】Rice Cake and Folk Customs

【24】Preserved Fruit and Roasted Pork

【25】Three Animals and Five Animals

【Twenty-six】Lamp materials, lamp holders, and Tiangong seats

【27】Bai Tian Gong in Kelantan

【28】Penang Tiangong Birthday

【29】Klang people worship the God of Heaven

【30】Malacca Baba prays to the God of Heaven

【31】Tracing the Roots of Tiangong’s Birthday

【32】The Legend of Sugarcane Worship on Tiangong’s Birthday

【33】Pray to the God of Heaven and express gratitude

Conclusion: Confucianism considers Heaven to be the Supreme Being

Appendix 35: The Origin and Customs of Tiangong Birthday

Appendix 36: The Jade Emperor
Excerpted from "Illustrated Collection of the Three Religions' Origins and Deities"

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