'PAI THI KONG...!!!'

Literally translated means "whorship the sky/heaven god". Sumthin like dat. Yess I am ashamed that I am not 'dat' Cina. See if I can find any write up on this.

Generally wut i understand of this Pai Thi Kong is that on midnite between the 8th and 9th day of the Chinese New Year, all the Hokkien (it think) Chinese will pray or whorship the sky/heaven God. Basically for good fortune.

So in another words, alot of the 'businessman' take this seriously. You would be surprise at wut these people 'offer' to the Gods. But before yer imaginations run wild, it's basically food stuffs. But the food stuffs they prepare can cook up a 9 course dinner, so to speak.

Apart from the praying and the whorshipin, the firecrackers are the 'main course' for the nite. It is now Friday mornin, 12.30 am on 30 January 2004 and the sound of the firecrackers have yet to stop. It started about 30 minutes beofre midnite and god knows till wut time its gonna continue, depending on the people who can afford them costly firecrackers.

But all in all...I am really impressed with the firecrackers here in Penang. Power to the MAX man...!!!

Where can I buy them arr...???

Okie okie...found the explanation for the above (and a bit more)...!!!

The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth."Many people abstain from meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

On the second day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the sixth to the 10th day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The seventh day of the New Year is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the eighth day the Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.

The 10th through the 12th are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.


So my understanding of the Pai Thi Kong (or Tian Gong) was pretty accurate. Heheheheeeek...!!!


U'll Never Pray Alone...!!!