Lunar Year Customs – 14th Day of Lunar New Year (農曆正月習俗之初十四結燈彩)

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Fourteenth Day of Lunar New Year, the Eve of Yuan Xiao Festival (元宵節) aka Shang Yue Jie (上元節). Most of the Chinese will be busily preparing for the Celebration that take place on the 15th Day.

In Hokkien Custom, this Day is known as Kiat Theng Chai (結燈彩) aka Jie Deng Cai.

For Cantonese & Teochew Clans (潮廣籍), this is an Important Day, cos, the folks will need to prepare the necessary offerings for Tian Guan Da Di (天官大帝) aka Lord Emperor of Heavenly Realm and their Home-Deities.

In the Ancient Era, the Chinese will visit Markets or Town-city to buy new Lanterns to hang on the Tentages or Stages that they engaged people to set-up. Once the Lanterns are being hung, the Chinese will send out invitation cards to relatives & friends to invite them to their homes to see and observe on the latest moderns or types of Lanterns that they have brought for the Celebration.

In Chinese, due to the hanging and observing of Lanterns, this Day is also being known as Deng Jie (燈節) or Deng Long Jie (燈籠節).

On the other hand, the Taoists will also prepare the necessary offerings for paying respect to Tian Guan Da Di on the Zi Hour (子時 0000 Hour in Singapore/2300 in other Chinese Areas).

So what are the necessary items to prepare?

Here are some recommended items:

1 – Nian Gao (年糕)
2 – 1 set of 5 Oranges (五顆桔子)
3 – 1 set of 5 Apples (五顆蘋果)
4 – 1 set of 5 Chinese Pears (五顆香梨)
5 – 6 sets of Traditional Cookies (六甜)
6 – 6 sets of Vegetarain Items (六素)
7 – 3 cups of Wine (三杯米酒)
8 – 3 cups of Tea (三杯清茶)
9 – Some flowers (5 colours 五色花)
10 – Paper-offerings, a type of Paper-offerings that are dedicated to Tian Guan Da Di, can get in any Incense-shops (天官紙料)

Once ready, the offerings can be placed on the Temp Altar or the Main Altar at home.

For those who are not able to prepare the necessary items, when the Clock strikes 0000 Hour (Singapore Timing) can just light 3 Incenses and pay respect to the Heaven. By calling the Official Title of Tian Guan Da Di, he will be able to get your request.