Lunar Year Customs – 7th Day of Lunar New Year (農曆正月習俗之初七人日)

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Seventh Day of Lunar New Year, known as Ren Day (人日) aka Day of Human or Mortal, in some contexts, this Day is also being addressed as the Birthday of All Human (人生辰). This is to keep in memory that on this Day, the Universe created Human.

So what are the usual practices on this Day?

In Myth, on the 7th Day after the Universe is formed, Nv Wa (女媧) created Human. In-order to show our gratitude towards Nv Wa, the Chinese or Taoists will visit Temples that are dedicated to Nv Wa to pay respect to her.

In China or Taiwan, the Chinese or Taoists still keep this practice, but in Singapore, seldom you will see the Chinese or Taoists visit Temples to do the honouring.

Besides that, the Chinese will prepare a dish that is made up of 7 different kinds of Vegetables to celebrate the Birthday of Human.

These 7 Vegetables are:

1 – Celery 芹菜
2 – Water Chestnut 荸荠
3 – Spinach 菠菜
4 – Spring Onion 青蔥
5 – Garlic or Chinese Leek 大蒜
6 – Chinese Cabbage 蒿麗菜
7 – Mustard 芥菜

In the Ancient Era, folks believed that by eating these 7 types of Vegetables, all misfortune & bad-luck will be eliminated and good luck will be bestowed upon one self in the New Year.

After this custom being imported into Singapore, the 4 Famous Chefs in the Early 1900s invented a dish known as Qi Cai Yu Sheng (by adding the 7 different type of vegetables with fish-slices, 七彩魚生). Till today, our local Chinese still like to consume the Yu Sheng on every 7th Day of Lunar New Year. In Cantonese known as Loy Hey (撈起).

So, any other Deities that one self must pay respect to?

Yes, besides Nv Wa aka The Mother of All Human, the Chinese or Taoists shall pay respect to The Great 9 Star Lords of the Northern Dipper Group (北斗九皇星君).

In certain part of the Chinese History, Chinese or Taoists will pay respect to the 9 Star Lords to request for blessing on improving the Luck of one self in the New Year.

After the custom being imported into our Hokkien Custom, on the 7th Day of Lunar New Year, the Hokkien, Chinese & Taoists will visit Temples to pay respect to them, if not, the Hokkien, Chinese or Taoists will pay respect at home.

It will be great if one self can do the requesting of Prolonging of the Life-span of one selfs Parent.

How to go about with the honouring?

1st, prepared the Five or Ten Taoist Offerings (道教五/十供), if not, just prepared 5 oranges (五顆桔子), Nian Gao (年糕), some traditional cookies (傳統糕點), 3 cups of Chinese Tea (三杯清茶), then, place them on the Main Altar.

2nd, when one self is ready, light 9 Incenses (九支香) and kneel down sincerely facing the Heaven (for those who house is facing North will be the best)

3rd, make a short report on who you are, where you stay, what is the event and then, make a short request

4th, after paying respect, stand up, make a simple bow and then place the 9 Incenses into the Main Urn on the Main Altar

And the whole honouring is considered completed.

Why 9 Incenses are being used?

9 to represent the 9 Star Lords of the Northern Dipper Group – 7 visible (七現) & 2 invisible (二隱).

Besides using the 9 Incenses, some folks will like 7 Lamps or 9 Candles to represent the 9 Star Lords.

So what to do after the honouring?

Distribute out the offerings to the other family members, allowed them to get the blessing from the 9 Star Lords.