The Sixty Jiazi Gods
The Sixty Jiazi Gods, traditionally referred to as Yearly Gods and also known as Tai Sui, are detailed in the “Spring Official” section of “The Rites of Zhou” under the jurisdiction of Feng Xiang, responsible for the twelve years, months, days, and the twenty-eight constellations. Zheng Xuan’s commentary explains that “the year refers to Tai Sui, whose planet aligns with the sun in the appointed month and hour.” Originally, these gods were devised in ancient Chinese astronomy to track celestial and terrestrial movements. They cycle through the twelve Earthly Branches and the ten Heavenly Stems to form a sixty-year cycle, used to record years, months, days, and hours. Taoism has adopted this system, with each Jiazi having its own god who takes turns serving as the Tai Sui of the year, commonly referred to as the Lord of the Year, each with their unique title. It is noted that the names of these gods in Taoist texts differ from those currently used at Beijing’s White Cloud Temple, and the reasons for these differences are yet to be explored.
The annual Tai Sui governs the fortunes and misfortunes of that year, leading various gods, regulating directions, controlling the sequence of time, and ensuring the year’s success. They oversee national patrols and provincial governance, building palaces, and expanding territories; while the people are advised to avoid conflicts with the Tai Sui when constructing homes or fortifications. Taoist texts state that the Tai Sui is managed by Marshal Yin, a son of the last Shang dynasty king. Despite family tragedies and being orphaned, he was raised by the immortal Shen Zhenren, who taught him the Taoist ways, allowing him to achieve divinity. Known for his integrity and compassion, he drives out evil and saves the distressed. Recognized for his merits, he was granted the office of the Tai Sui, governing terrestrial purging of evil, managing human fortunes and misfortunes, rewarding the good and punishing the wicked.
The evolution of the worship of Tai Sui saw significant developments in 1190, during the reign of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin, when the Empress Dowager Rui became seriously ill. After prayers for her recovery were answered, a temple was established in Beijing to venerate the spirit, leading to the creation of the Shunxing Festival on the eighth day of the first lunar month, a tradition that has continued for over 800 years. During the Ming dynasty’s Yongle era, this temple was designated for the Jiazi gods, where they are revered annually on the eighth night of the first lunar month through rituals that involve offerings and recitations, believed to aid in spiritual cultivation and seeking blessings for health and safety, especially during one’s birth sign year, which requires extra caution as it is considered a threshold year.