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Friday February 11, 2011

Devotees out in full strength for Jade Emperor’s birthday

GEORGE TOWN: The Hokkiens and other devotees of the Thni Kong (Jade Emperor) went all out to celebrate the deity’s birthday on the ninth day of the Chinese New Year. Thousands thronged the Thni Kong Tnua (Jade Emperor God Temple) at the foothill of Penang Hill in Air Itam here to offer their prayers last night.

Heavy traffic began early in the evening as most devotees took the stairs up to the temple to burn joss sticks and lit candles for prayers. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who visited the temple, also offered prayers to the deity.



He said he prayed that people would find peace, harmony and prosperity. “I wish all Penangites will have heng, ong and huat! (Hokkien for luck, flourish and prosperity),” he said.

At the Chew Jetty along Weld Quay, about 30,000 people converged to observe the grand ceremony. A 27.4m altar was set up by the roadside, filled with baskets as well as trays of food and fruits as offerings to the deity.

The offerings to the Jade Emperor included roast pork and the must-haves such as ang koo (red tortoise buns), mee koo (red-coloured buns), huat kuih (prosperous cakes), t’ng tak (sugar pagodas) and sugar cane.

There was also a 15-minute fireworks display. At the stroke of midnight, most Hokkien households around George Town set up communal altars in front of their homes to pay homage to the deity.

According to the Hokkiens, their ancestors from Fujian province survived persecution from the Sung Dynasty soldiers by hiding in a sugar cane plantation on Chinese New Year for nine consecutive days.

On the Jade Emperor’s birthday, the people came out unharmed and believed that they were protected by the deity.