Introduction of the Taoist Five Offerings (道教五供簡介)

In Taoism, while paying respects and doing offerings for Deities, the Five Offerings will be presented.

And so, when are the Five Offerings started to be used in Taoism?

A lot of people might be wondering, are these Five Offerings a "duplicate product" from the other Religions?

To be honest and true, our Taoist Five Offerings can consider as the oldest set of Offerings invented for the Offerings for Deities far before any other Religions being imported into China.

So, what are consists in the Five Offerings?

Here they are:

Incense, Flowers, Lamp/Candles, Water & Fruit.

So any meaning behind these Five Offerings?

Of cos there're meaning behind, here's the brief intro on the meanings:

Incense represents Non-action or Action beyond Actions, in brief, All things are created or formed from Nothing or so-called Null. (香代表無為)

Flower represents Nature. Dao is a form of Nature and Nature is Dao. By offering Flowers to the Deities, one self will learn to appreciate how the Nature can change one self and affect the others. (花代表自然)

Lamp/Candle represents Accommodating & Respecting. By learning to accommodate things, one self will see the Light of Truth and by giving the necessary respecting to the others, one self will gain the respects and likes from the others. (燭代表順化)

Water represents Pureness, Calm & Peacefulness. Stillness of the Water is a form of silent cultivation. By reminding one self to stay calmness like Water, one self will always be blessed with the essence of Water – Peace & Pure. (水代表清靜)

Fruit represents Fullest or Successful. By withholding the Upright Teachings and promote the Correct Culture, one self will be able to see the "Fruits" of his/her efforts and hardship. By offering Fruits, one self will be able to bless with Successful and Fullest in everything he/she does or request. (果代表圓滿)

So when can we do the Five Offerings?

On the First & Fifteen Day of the Lunar Month or on any Big Festivals & Anniversary Celebrations.

Can we add more Offerings besides these Five Offerings?

Of cos you can. You can add any other Fruits Offerings or Traditional Cookies Offerings, as long as one self is comfortable with.