Jihai Tai Sui General Xie Shou

General Xie Shou, the Jihai Tai Sui Star Lord, is one of the Sixty Jiazi Tai Sui deities who take turns presiding over each year in the sexagenary cycle. He assumes office during Jihai years—such as 2019 and 2079—and oversees all human fortune and misfortune for that year. As the zodiac sign for Jihai is the Pig, those born in the Year of the Pig enter their benming nian (natal year), directly sitting under the Tai Sui’s influence; conversely, those born in the Year of the Snake experience ‘clashing’ with the Tai Sui (chong tai sui). According to folk custom, both groups are advised to visit temples to ritually install and worship the Tai Sui, offering sincere devotion to seek the Star Lord’s protection and mitigation of adverse energies. The Tai Sui concept originates from ancient stellar calendrics centred on Jupiter (the ‘Year Star’), and the traditional saying ‘one must not dig earth beneath the Tai Sui’ reflects the deep reverence accorded this celestial sovereign. 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.