| Rating: | ★★★ |
| Category: | Other |
In here, Jave will like to share with ALL of you another Traditional Practise/Custom of the Hokkien Clan while the Hokkiens honoured Yu Huang Da Tian Zun (玉皇大天尊) aka Tian Gong (天公) on the 9th Day of Lunar 1st Month (農曆正月初九日).
Due to partially that, Hokkiens were being rescued by Yu Huang during the Late Ming Dynasty (明朝末年) in a Sugar-cane Plantation (甘蔗園), from then, the Hokkiens had been using Sugar Cane as a form of Great Offering dedicating to Yu Huang (供奉甘蔗為上等大禮), for reminding Oneself the Gratitude of Yu Huang and also to keep Oneself in mind that, as a Chinese, we shall Remember All the Assistances that other People had provided for Oneself. In Chinese, this is known as Yin Shui Si Yuan (飲水思源).
This very Traditional and Rare Practise/Custom is known as Walking Thru the Sugar-cane Gate (過甘蔗門) or in some other Records known as Walking Thru the Sugar-cane Garden (行甘蔗園/林).
How this Practise/Custom gets going?
Usually this Practise/Custom will be carried out during the Honouring of Yu Huang during the 9th Day of Lunar 1st Month Morning, can be at Home or in Temple.
It just needed the following items:
1) A Pair of 9feet Sugar-cane with roots and the Sugar-canes must be Fresh & not dried-up
2) 3-5 Pairs of Huang Gao Qian (黃高錢三至五對)
3) 3feet of Red-ribbon (三尺紅綢帶)
4) 1feet of Red-paper cut into 5cm in height and 18cm in length (一尺紅紙條)
Once ready, Bundled the 3-5 Pairs of Huang Gao Qian together, each bundle having 3-5 strings of Huang Gao Qian, then hang the Huang Gao Qian on each Sugar-cane (see Point One).
After that, paste the Red-paper cutting onto each Joint of the Sugar-cane’s Stem (see Point Two).
Last of All, Tied the 2 Sugar-cane together with the Red-ribbon, at the Tip of the Sugar-canes’ Leaves and make it into a Semi-circle Form – just like a Door (see Point Three).
Once the 2 Sugar-canes are being Tied together, place them in front of the Honouring Altar – at least 5feey from the Altar (see Point Four).
Upon completion on the Set-up, everyone in the Family can prepare to make the First Round of Offering of Incenses to Yu Huang (usually will go Three Rounds before Sending-off the Paper-offerings).
After the Second round of Offering of Incenses, everyone in the Family must change to Blue Clothing (藍上衣) & Brown/Black Pants (黑/褐褲). And then, each holding on to 2 White Buns aka Mantou (饅頭).
Before the Third Round of Offering of Incenses, everyone will hold on to the Mantou and Walk Thru the Sugar-cane Gate (Guys will lead 1st and followed by the Women 男先女后) and after returning, the Mantou must be placed on the Red-plate on the Honouring Altar (see Point Five) and everyone had to change back to their Clothing for the Honouring (usually New or Red Clothing). For those who are not able to get Blue-clothing, can use Blue Cloth to tie on the Waist to represent Blue Clothing.
Once the Changing is Done, the Third Round of Offering of Incenses will be conducted and last, the Eldest Member of the Family will lead the Sending-off of the Paper-offerings.
So what is the Main Purpose of this Walking Thru of Sugar-cane Gate (過甘蔗門涵義)?
There are a few meanings:
1) To get rid of All Negative Issues of the Past 12 Months (Walking Thru the Gate)
行過甘蔗門﹐除去過去一年中的一切不如意事
2) To remember the Hardship that our Ancestors had encountered during the Late Ming Dynasty (Wearing Blue Clothing and Black/Brown Pants)
穿藍衣黑褐褲﹐謹記祖先一切教誨/辛勞
3) To get rid of Poverty and Usher in the Good Wealth (Changing Back to New or Red Clothing)
脫去藍衣黑褐褲﹐重新換上新裝﹐是卸去壞運迎接好運
4) Thanking Heaven for giving us a Chance to Live on this World again (The White Buns aka Mantou that we hold on hands while Walking Thru the Gate)
手持饅頭過門﹐感謝上天體恤下民
In Summary
This Practise/Custom may seems a bit Complicated or having Bad-omen (due to the Clothing colour), but this is Fact that what our Ancestors had faced in the past.
Today, we are able to live so comfortably at Home, enjoying the Fruits that our Ancestors had “planted” for us, did we really appreciate what they had given to us?
By going thru such a Practise/Custom, actually it is to remind us or assist us in Deeply-casting-a-mark in our Mind to tell us that, we must Appreciate and show more Concern & Care for the others.
Do not get to bother over little things, when time to put down, lets put down. Our Ancestors can do it, so can We.
Last of All, Treasure what we have now, don’t regret after we lost it.
So, tomorrow is the 9th day of the Lunar calendar - is there anywhere you could recommend to join in this ritual in the early afternoon or late evening?
ReplyDeleteI think in Singapore, there are very very little Temples will conduct this Ritual. Maybe you can try to contact some of the Tian Gong Temple in South or Central Area, if not, you can drop by Sembawang Temples to take a look, usually during 9th Day, they have a lot of events going on.
ReplyDeleteAddress as followed:
http://www.streetdirectory.com/asia_travel/travel/travel_id_45167/travel_site_144346/
Many thanks .....
ReplyDelete