Sunday, 22 January 2006

Sending Off Deities

It's sunday and not sure if any of you guys know what day it is. It is a day of great importance to most chinese. It is the 23rd day of the last lunar month. Tonight is when we send the deities in our home back to heaven.

The deities will take a short break from their earthly duties and report all events that transpired on earth to the Jade Emperor. Haha, that includes all deeds, no matter good or bad, that transpires in your household. That's the reason why we have nian gao (a sweet chinese cake) as a part of the offerings to the deities. To sweeten them up so that they will sweeten their reports of us. =)



It doesn't matter if you think it pure supersition or you strongly believe in their existence. What truly matters is the underlying meaning behind it, to be more pure in our dealings. It is a reminder to us to be constantly mindful of our intentions, speech and actions. This is why sometimes it is good to go back to our roots and traditions, to touch ourselves and the teachings of our forefathers. =)

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