Manifestation Anniversary (Birthday) of Cheng Huang (城隍尊神聖誕)

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Cheng Huang aka Deity of the City or Lord of the City, a very important Deity in Folks everyday's life.

In the past, whenever someone met with any unsolvable issue, the first person who came into the mind of seeking assistance was usually Cheng Huang.

In Ancient Era, almost in every City, there would be 1 Temple that dedicated to Cheng Huang, and usually the Temple would built just beside the City Gate. Why? In-order for Cheng Huang to check on each individual person who came into the City and go out of the City.

Cheng Huang honouring started from Han Dynasty and then being promoted in Song, Yuan & Ming. By Qing Dynasty. Cheng Huang had become a popular and well-known Deity that every Chinese had to honour and pay respect too, regardless of what issues, etc.

Back to main point, on the 11th Day of Lunar 5 Month (農曆五月十一日), it is considered as the Manifestation Anniversary or so-called Birthday of Cheng Huang (for Year 2008, it falls on 14 June).

And so, what to prepare?

According to our Chinese Custom & Folks Practice, here are some recommended items to be prepared for the paying respect:

1 Five Oranges (桔子)
2 Longevity Noodles (壽麵)
3 Longevity Peaches (壽桃)
4 Ang Ku Kueh (紅龜粿)
5 Huat Kueh (發糕)
6 Rice Wine (米酒)
7 Chinese Tea (茶)
8 Paper Offerings (紙料)
9 Candles (蠟燭)
10 Flowers or Lotus (鮮花或蓮花)

Once all these stuffs are prepared and ready, then one self can proceed to the Temple.

1st, pay respect to the Heaven & Main Deities in the Temple and then last, proceed to the Altar that honoured Cheng Huang.

Make a Bow in front of the Altar and then sincerely kneel down and proceed with the following Passage (for those who know how to recite the Bao Gao of Cheng Huang):

今逢。
Jin Feng.

城隍尊神。(拜)
Cheng Huang Zun Shen (Bow)

千秋聖誕之期。
Qian Qiu Sheng Dan Zhi Qi.

南洋新加坡共和國。 (你的住址) 。
Nan Yang Xin Jia Po Gong He Guo. (Your Address)

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

於此。
Yu Ci

虔備薄禮酒儀。
Qian Bei Bo Li Jiu Yi.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

城隍尊神。(拜)
Cheng Huang Zun Shen (Bow)

虔誠請安。慶賀聖誕。
Qian Cheng Qing An. Qing He Sheng Dan.

於此虔祈。
Yu Ci Qian Qi.

城隍尊神。(拜)
Cheng Huang Zun Shen (Bow)

城中百姓得天佑。隍內清水似甘露。
Cheng Zhong Bai Xin De Tian You. Huang Nei Qing Shui Shi Gan Lu

尊駕聖前香三柱。神光永照萬民戶。
Zun Jia Sheng Qian Xiang San Zhu. Shen Guang Yong Zhao Wan Min Hu

以佑。
Yi You.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

一年平安常在。月月福佑不怠。
Yi Nian Ping An Chang Zai. Yue Yue Fu You Bu Dai.

四季神光普照。萬事遂心安在。
Si Ji Shen Guang Pu Zhao. Wan Shi Sui Xin An Zai.

於此。
Yu Ci.

信士 (你的名字) 。及闔家同人。
Xin Shi (Your Name). Ji He Jia Tong Ren.

敬向。
Jing Xiang.

城隍尊神。(拜)
Cheng Huang Zun Shen (Bow)

獻三拜三叩禮。
Xian San Bai Li.

一拜。再拜。三拜。禮成。(起立)
Yi Bai. Zai Bai. San Bai. Li Cheng (Raise)

After rising, make another sincere Bow and then left the spot.

After about 15 minutes, retrieve the Paper-offerings and then burn them off.

Once the Paper-offerings are being burnt, go back to the Altar, make another sincere Bow and then retrieve back the Offerings, bring them back home and share with the other members in the Family.

And so, the whole Paying Respect to Cheng Huang is considered end.

PS: Introduction on Cheng Huang:
http://javewu.multiply.com/photos/album/109