Dinghai Tai Sui General Feng Ji

Dinghai Tai Sui General Feng Ji is one of the Sixty Jiazi Tai Sui deities who preside over the Dinghai year (e.g., 2007, 2067), overseeing all matters of fortune and calamity for humanity during that year. As the Pig is the zodiac sign associated with Dinghai years, those born in the Year of the Pig enter their benming nian (birth-year cycle) and thus sit directly beneath the Tai Sui; conversely, those born in the Year of the Snake experience ‘clashing’ with the Tai Sui (chong tai sui). According to folk custom, both groups should enshrine and devoutly worship the Tai Sui at temples to seek the star lord’s protection and neutralisation of adverse influences. The Tai Sui concept originates from the ancient stellar calendar based on Jupiter (the ‘Year Star’, or Sui Xing); the saying ‘daring not to dig earth above the Tai Sui’ reflects the deep-rooted reverence for the Tai Sui as the supreme celestial authority governing the year. Devotees commonly visit Daoist temples on the 8th day of the 1st lunar month to worship the Tai Sui, praying for disaster avoidance, longevity, and smooth passage through the year.