What is Tai Sui? The Guardian Deity of the Year in Taoism
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“In the heavens, it is a star; on earth, it is a deity.” ——《Taishang Xuanling Beidou Benming Yansheng Zhenjing》
When we say at the turn of each new year, "This year I am offending Tai Sui," we are actually inadvertently touching upon an ancient Chinese astronomical and belief system. So, what exactly is Tai Sui? Why does it affect the fortunes of the year? And why do people "respect Tai Sui and appease Tai Sui"?
What is "Tai Sui"?
Tai Sui is not only a marker of time but also an important bridge in Chinese culture that connects heaven and man, and facilitates communication with the divine. To understand Tai Sui is to understand the unique concept of time and philosophy of life held by the Chinese people.
The belief in Tai Sui has a long history, with origins that can be traced back to ancient astronomical observations. As early as the Warring States period, people began to use the "Jupiter Chronology," treating Jupiter (the Year Star) as the god of the year. However, because Jupiter's actual orbital period is not exactly twelve years, in order to calibrate and facilitate timekeeping, the ancients hypothesized an ideal celestial body that moved in the opposite direction to Jupiter at a uniform speed, calling it "Tai Sui".
Definition and Origin of Tai Sui
Astronomical and Calendar Background
The origin of Tai Sui is inextricably linked to ancient astronomy. Through long-term observation, the ancients discovered that Jupiter (the Year Star) orbits the heavens approximately every twelve years, and they divided its trajectory into twelve regions to record the years. Although this method was intuitive, it contained errors. To solve this problem, the ancients created an idealized celestial body—Tai Sui. This hypothetical Tai Sui moves along the order of the twelve Earthly Branches, passing through one branch each year, forming a more precise calendar system.
Process of Personification
Warring States Period: Tai Sui existed as a purely astronomical concept, used for precise calendar calculations.
Han Dynasty: The belief in avoiding Tai Sui diverged from astrology, gradually forming an independent system. In the Eastern Han, Wang Chong discussed Tai Sui worship extensively in "Lunheng".
Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties: Taoism incorporated Tai Sui into its pantheon of deities; starting from the reign of Emperor Daowu of Northern Wei, "the twelve divine years" were established for specific offerings.
Yuan and Ming Dynasties: The Emperor established special altars to worship the Tai Sui deity, and in the seventh year of the Hongwu reign in the Ming Dynasty, it was decreed that Tai Sui be worshipped in both spring and autumn, marking the peak of official recognition for Tai Sui belief.
The Sixty Jiazi Deity System
The sixty Jiazi are formed by the cyclic combination of the ten Heavenly Stems and twelve Earthly Branches.
Ten Heavenly Stems: Jia, Yi, Bing, Ding, Wu, Ji, Geng, Xin, Ren, Gui
Twelve Earthly Branches: Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao, Chen, Si, Wu, Wei, Shen, You, Xu, Hai
Configuration of Tai Sui Deities
Taoism believes that the sixty Jiazi correspond to sixty Tai Sui Star Lords:
- Jia-Zi Year: General Jin Bian
- Yi-Chou Year: General Chen Cai
- Bing-Yin Year: General Geng Zhang
- ... and so on
The Ruling Tai Sui of the Year
The Ruling Tai Sui, also known as the "Yearly Tai Sui" or "Year Lord," is the core concept in the system of Tai Sui belief. The sixty Tai Sui Star Lords rotate one by one each year, in an endless cycle.
Tai Sui is the Son of Heaven for the year, thus one must not offend him; to offend him is to invite misfortune. — "Yuanhai Ziping"
The Ruling Tai Sui holds a very high status in folk belief and is considered the "Son of Heaven for the year," governing the good and ill fortune of the human world for that year. People believe that during the year governed by the Ruling Tai Sui, one's personal fortune is directly influenced by it.
Functions and Symbols of Tai Sui
Monitoring Good and Evil: As the annual "inspector," the Tai Sui deity closely monitors the words and deeds of the world, recording right and wrong, good and evil.
Governing Fortune: As the "Ruling Tai Sui," it governs the good and ill fortune of the human world for the year, determining the year's prospects.
Symbol of the Great General: Often honored as the "Great General," it symbolizes majesty and dignity, possessing the power to ward off evil and avoid disaster.
Monitoring Good and Evil in the Human World: The Taoist classic "Shenshu Jing" describes Tai Sui as having the "image of a human ruler, leading various deities, governing the correct positions, orchestrating the timing, and overseeing the year's work." This shows that the Tai Sui deity not only manages time but also leads other deities in maintaining the order between heaven and earth.
The Title of "Great General" for Tai Sui
In Taoist belief, the Tai Sui deity is often honored as the "Great General." According to the "Shenshu Jing": "The Great General is the Great General of the year." This title endows the Tai Sui deity with a majestic and solemn image.
The statues of the sixty Tai Sui deities are often depicted as armored warriors holding weapons, looking imposing and commanding respect. This design not only fits the title of "Great General" but also symbolizes the Tai Sui deity's ability to drive away evil, prevent disaster, and guard a territory.
The "Ruling Tai Sui" of each year controls the rise and fall of human fortune for the year, managing the changes of Yin and Yang and the outcomes of all matters.
May you receive the protection of Tai Sui in the coming year and enjoy a smooth passage through the year's fortune.