Dingyou Tai Sui General Tang Jie

Dingyou Tai Sui General Tang Jie is one of the Sixty Jiazi Tai Sui deities who assumes duty during the Dingyou year (e.g., 2017 CE, 2077 CE), overseeing all human fortunes and misfortunes for that year. As the Rooster is the zodiac sign associated with Dingyou, those born in the Year of the Rooster enter their benming nian (natal zodiac year) and thus sit directly beneath the Tai Sui, while those born in the Year of the Rabbit experience ‘clashing’ with the Tai Sui (chong tai sui). According to folk custom, both groups are advised to visit temples to install and venerate the Tai Sui image with reverence, seeking the Stellar Lord’s protection and mitigation of adverse influences. The Tai Sui deity originates from the ancient stellar calendar system based on Jupiter’s twelve-year orbital cycle (the ‘Year Star’ or Sui Xing); the saying ‘one must not dig earth directly beneath the Tai Sui’ reflects the profound reverence accorded to this celestial sovereign of 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.