Welcome to the largest temple in Butterworth, Penang... Tow Boo Kong Temple or more famously known as the Nine Emperor Gods Temple.
The Nine Emperor Gods (Jiu Wang Ye 九王爷) refers to The Nine Great Emperors (Jiu Huang Da Di 九皇大帝) in the Taoist deity system.
The Nine Emperor Gods festival is held on the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month. It is a celebration of the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods (the Gods of stars and planets) who have power over life and death.
This festival is believed to have originated from Fujian, China. Devotees have to be vegetarians to achieve ritual cleansing. Prayers for blessings and for getting rid of misfortunes or bad luck are performed daily in the temple during these 9 days.
The festival starts on the last day of the 8th lunar month with the invitation of the Nine Emperors to the temple. The deities are welcomed at a river bank with urns representing the emperors. Nine sedan chairs are prepared to receive the emperors with a series of chants by a Taoist priest.
Upon arrival at the temple, 9 spirit mediums would allow the deities to descend upon them. The spirits would reside within them throughout the festival and protect their bodies from any sufferings or discomfort. During this period, these mediums are able to pour boiling oil over their bodies, walk on burning coal, climb on blade ladders, spike their cheeks and tongues with sharp metal. These spirit mediums would be in a trance-like behavior at all times.
Then on the 9th day, there would be a grand sending off of the deities back to the river bank accompanied with lion and dragon dances.
The Nine Emperor Gods festival is held on the first 9 days of the 9th lunar month. It is a celebration of the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods (the Gods of stars and planets) who have power over life and death.
This festival is believed to have originated from Fujian, China. Devotees have to be vegetarians to achieve ritual cleansing. Prayers for blessings and for getting rid of misfortunes or bad luck are performed daily in the temple during these 9 days.
The festival starts on the last day of the 8th lunar month with the invitation of the Nine Emperors to the temple. The deities are welcomed at a river bank with urns representing the emperors. Nine sedan chairs are prepared to receive the emperors with a series of chants by a Taoist priest.
Upon arrival at the temple, 9 spirit mediums would allow the deities to descend upon them. The spirits would reside within them throughout the festival and protect their bodies from any sufferings or discomfort. During this period, these mediums are able to pour boiling oil over their bodies, walk on burning coal, climb on blade ladders, spike their cheeks and tongues with sharp metal. These spirit mediums would be in a trance-like behavior at all times.
Then on the 9th day, there would be a grand sending off of the deities back to the river bank accompanied with lion and dragon dances.
So, who are these Nine Emperor Gods?
They are the 9 North Star Plough Gods; gods of the stars and planets.
Their mother is known as the Goddess of the North Star; the Mother of Stars and their father is named Father Emperor.
The origin of the 9 Emperor Gods goes ways back to the Qin and the Han dynasties where Taoists worshipped the Northern Constellation. They began deitifying the stars as gods.
The Legend of Goddess Dou Mou; the Goddess of the North Star: She has a similar position as Kuan Yin in Buddhism. She is the only one who is permitted to pass between the region of the moon and the sun. She is the keeper of the book of life and death. Those who longed for good health and longevity often pray to her. In addition, the Northern Star is also associated with the water element - the symbol of life and death - and so, the Goddess of the North Star is also known as a merciful water spirit who offers protection for seafarers.
My question which has yet to be answered is:
So, how are the 9 Emperor Gods connected to the sea???
The folklore about the 9 Emperor Gods becoming sea pirates, robbing from the rich to help the poor made the most sense to me. They were beheaded and they were caught and their spirits were sent away into the sea.
They are the 9 North Star Plough Gods; gods of the stars and planets.
Their mother is known as the Goddess of the North Star; the Mother of Stars and their father is named Father Emperor.
The origin of the 9 Emperor Gods goes ways back to the Qin and the Han dynasties where Taoists worshipped the Northern Constellation. They began deitifying the stars as gods.
The Legend of Goddess Dou Mou; the Goddess of the North Star: She has a similar position as Kuan Yin in Buddhism. She is the only one who is permitted to pass between the region of the moon and the sun. She is the keeper of the book of life and death. Those who longed for good health and longevity often pray to her. In addition, the Northern Star is also associated with the water element - the symbol of life and death - and so, the Goddess of the North Star is also known as a merciful water spirit who offers protection for seafarers.
My question which has yet to be answered is:
So, how are the 9 Emperor Gods connected to the sea???
The folklore about the 9 Emperor Gods becoming sea pirates, robbing from the rich to help the poor made the most sense to me. They were beheaded and they were caught and their spirits were sent away into the sea.
Burning coal
Spirit mediums at work
Notice that this spirit medium has a pacifier in his mouth!
Prayer chamber
People of all faith pray for blessings
Prayer chamber
Beautifully painted wall panels
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