Taoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Kee Ong Yah festival)

[Cecil Lee]

Flying Star Feng Shui has it's origin from this festival.. believe it or not..

In addition, Chinese sword fighting formations are also associated to these 9 stars: "The Big Dipper formation ++" 

Taoist Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Kee Ong Yah festival)
or Nine deities star gods festival

This Taoist celebration always starts on the eve of the 9th Chinese Lunar month.

This celebrations are generally localised to South-east Asian countries with their ethnic Chinese population.

In general, the nine emperors (deities) consists of 9 stars:

1. The Big Dipper has seven stars. And each of these stars are considered an emperor each.

2. Plus there is an emperor who is the North Ursa Major star. This star is actually visible to the naked eyes on a clear night.

3. And lastly two assistant or associate stars. And unless one has bionic eyes; this two assistant or associate stars are difficult to detect with non-bionic eyes.. i.e. regular eyes likes yours and mind.

Therefore, the above 7 + 1 + 2 = a total of 9 stars making what is known  to this festival as the 9 Emperor (9 Stars) Gods.

On the eve of the ninth lunar month, a ceremony is held as a welcome celebration and to invite the nine Emperors (9 stars).

Elaborate bridges etc.. are erected to symbolise and to acknowledge these gods arrival from waterways or rivers.

This is not the American Ku Klux Klan (KKC) or white supremacy gang. But by coincidence devotees also wear traditional white for purity and they carry incense and candles and await for the arrival to greet the Nine gods.

During the festival; this is a joyous and carnival-like occasion. Either in a temple. But in Singapore; such temples are small and cannot hold that many people.

This is why, for example, they lease the plot of land next to the Eunos MRT. Where I had taken photos from a-far.

In addition, this piece of land is appropriate since during the duration of the festival; prayer bells and chants are performed by priests.

If this festival is held next to housing estates; this may not go well with the residents especially after 10pm.

At this Eunos site; FREE vegetarian meals are provided during this nine days of celebration together with continuous chanting of prayers daily. 

On the last day of this festival: devotees sends the 9 Emperors back to Heaven.

By the way, this is one way of associating the 9 Star Ki or 9 Palaces of the Flying Stars concept...

[Cecil Lee]

In Malaysia, devotes even allow these deities to possess their bodies.

And many of these willing devout devotees actually after possession; literally try to mutilate their bodies / tongue etc..

A temple Master would often keep an eye on those possessed for fear of not the devotees; but that these devotees may even unwittingly harm near-by on-lookers. Quite scary...