Terms to Explain

by Gooi Ai Moon

• Bai Tian Gong（拜天公）- The celebration of Jade Emperor’s birthday which fall on the 9th day of Chinese New Year.

• Red Turtle Cake（红龟糕）- Chinese red rice cake which considered an auspicious colour while its tortoise shell-shape symbolizes longevity.

• Huat Kueh（发糕）- A kind of steamed bun which the Chinese usually use for praying, while ‘Huat’ means wealth in Hokkien.

• House of Jade Emperor（天公座）- A type of paper offering which specially made dedicating to the Jade Emperor during Bai Tian Gong. 

• Sugar cane（甘蔗）- Sugar cane in Hokkien dialect sounds like ‘kam siah’ (thank you), therefore the Hokkiens used a pair of sugarcane to express their appreciation to the Jade Emperor.

• Kongming Lanterns（孔明灯）- A small hot air balloon made of paper, with an opening at the bottom where a small fire is suspended. Usually the Chinese flies the lantern to make a wish.

See also

Bai Tian Gong - An Unignorable Tradition of The Hokkiens

The Legend and Significant of Bai Tian Gong

The Necessities and Expenses of Bai Tian Gong

Sugarcane is a “MUST”

Decoration of the Offering Table