Nine Emperor Gods

The Chinese in Malaysia now having their Nine Emperor Gods festival, but what is this?

Okay, The Nine Emperor Gods are part of a spirit-medium cult known locally as “Jieu Hwang Yeh”. These Nine Deities are believed to dwell in the stars in heaven under the reign of “Thien Hou” - the Queen of Heaven.

The devotee pierced a hard steel stick through his cheek to hold the bicycle. (Picture courtesy of L.S.Yeoh)

The Festival of the Nine Emperor Gods falls in the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and this festival normally celebrating at least 9 days, some of them included the eve and make it 10 days.

This is how the devotee holds the bicycle and walk on the street shoeless. (Picture courtesy of B.A.Teoh)

However, devotees will only eat vegetarian food in this 9 or 10 days, and if they are sincere enough, they won’t get burn if they walk through the “fire bridge” or not even get cut if they climb the “knife mountain” or “glasses alley”

So the festival this year happen to fall in 3 Oct, and 2 of my friends managed to take some pictures while they were witnessing the “sincere person” went through all the “Fear Factor” challenges, and here you are for the pics.

Despite been “threw” on a stake of broken glasses, the devotee who believe sincere enough and protected by the Nine Emperor Gods, won’t get any injury. (Picture courtesy of B.A.Teoh)

The Geovision.com said:

The festive started on the eve of its first day in the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, and temples of the Deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the Nine Emperor Gods.

The devotee jumped from the ladder and landed on a stake of broken glasses, his bum is safe from breeding. (Picture courtesy of B.A.Teoh)

Since the arrival of the Nine Emperor Gods is believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea-shore or river to symbolise this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying joss-sticks and candles, await the arrival of their “Excellencies”.

Not get cut from glasses is small matter, this devotee can even eat the glasses. (Picture courtesy of B.A.Teoh)

A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, take vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer.

A procession to send the Nine Emperor Gods home then takes place to complete the rites of this religious festival.

Tag: Religion, Chinese, Malaysia, Festival.