The first to sixth days of the sixth lunar month (July 14 in the Gregorian calendar this year) are the auspicious days when the Six Southern Dipper Longevity Star Lords descend to the mortal world. During these six days, the starlight shines down, true sages visit the earth, observing human good and evil, and recording the lifespan and fortune of all beings. It is an excellent Taoist opportunity in the year to pray for extended life, eliminate misfortune, and increase blessings.

On the first day of the sixth lunar month, folk traditions call it “Half Year,” “Half-Year Festival,” or “Little New Year.” A folk saying goes: “Money can’t buy drought in May, but continuous rain in June fills the belly.” In rural areas, there is a custom of praying for a good harvest on this day, while merchants reward their employees with a day off and bonuses.

I. The Southern Dipper Festival

Most people are familiar with the Big Dipper (Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper) in the northern sky. In contrast, the Southern Dipper (Six Stars) belongs to the first lodge of the Northern Black Tortoise in the traditional Chinese star system, and in the internationally recognized 88 constellations, it is part of Sagittarius. The Northern Black Tortoise is one of the Four Symbols, comprising seven lunar mansions: Dipper, Ox, Girl, Void, Roof, House, and Wall. It is said to be a product of turtle-snake totem worship, as its image is a strange “snake coiled around a turtle body.”

The first to sixth days of the sixth lunar month are the days when the Taoist Southern Dipper Star Lords descend, also known as the Southern Dipper Festival. A scripture says: “The seven stars in the sky add wealth, honor, and rank; the six stars in the Dipper bestow blessings, longevity, and peace.”

The “Star Classic” states: “The six stars of the Southern Dipper govern the emperor’s lifespan and also the rank and salary of the prime minister.” Taoism holds that “the Southern Dipper governs life, while the Northern Dipper governs death.” Worshipping the Northern Dipper can lead to attaining the Tao and becoming immortal, with one’s name removed from the death register. Worshipping the Southern Dipper Star Lords can increase one’s lifespan. Thus, fortune, rank, and longevity are all believed to be under the dominion of the Southern Dipper, making the “Southern Dipper worship” very popular since ancient times.

During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, temples dedicated to the Southern Dipper Star Lords were built in various places. After Qin Shi Huang unified the six states, he ordered the construction of the Southern Dipper Mansion. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Taoism personified the six stars of the Southern Dipper for worship, naming them:

• First: Tianfu, the Siming Star Lord; Mingde Palace; truly governs the root of life, extends the vital essence, and ensures eternal peace.

First: Tianfu, the Siming Star Lord;

Mingde Palace;

Truly governs the root of life, extends the vital essence, and ensures eternal peace.

• Second: Tianxiang, the Silu Star Lord; Dongwen Palace; truly records the living, inscribes names on the red register, and bestows eternal age.

Second: Tianxiang, the Silu Star Lord;

Dongwen Palace;

Truly records the living, inscribes names on the red register, and bestows eternal age.

• Third: Tianliang, the Yanshou Star Lord; Roude Palace; governs age, extends long life, and brings blessings like spring.

Third: Tianliang, the Yanshou Star Lord;

Roude Palace;

Governs age, extends long life, and brings blessings like spring.

• Fourth: Tiantong, the Yisuan Star Lord; Baoguang Palace; controls qi to generate spirit, grants old age, and ensures eternal stability.

Fourth: Tiantong, the Yisuan Star Lord;

Baoguang Palace;

Controls qi to generate spirit, grants old age, and ensures eternal stability.

• Fifth: Tianshu, the Du’e Star Lord; Tianjie Palace; dispels calamities and disasters, bestows long life, and renews good karma.

Fifth: Tianshu, the Du’e Star Lord;

Tianjie Palace;

Dispels calamities and disasters, bestows long life, and renews good karma.

• Sixth: Tianji, the Shangsheng Star Lord; Dasheng Palace; masters the celestial classics, supervises records, and bestows blessings and extends age.

Sixth: Tianji, the Shangsheng Star Lord;

Dasheng Palace;

Masters the celestial classics, supervises records, and bestows blessings and extends age.

II. The Legend of the Southern Dipper

During the Three Kingdoms period, there was a famous diviner named Guan Lu in the state of Wei, who was skilled in physiognomy. One day, he met Yan Chao and knew that the young man would soon die. Yan Chao was a handsome nineteen-year-old. His father was very worried and asked Guan Lu for help. Guan Lu said to Yan Chao: “Go home and prepare a jar of good wine and a plate of roasted venison. On the day of the Hare, go to the big mulberry tree at the south end of the wheat field. There you will see two men playing Go. Do not speak; just pour wine and offer meat for them. Keep refilling until the wine is finished. If they ask you anything, do not utter a single word. Do as I say, and you will be saved.”

Yan Chao followed the instructions and indeed saw two men playing Go. He immediately placed the meat and wine before them. The two men continued playing Go while drinking and eating. After several rounds, the one sitting in the north suddenly noticed Yan Chao and asked sternly, “What are you doing here?” Yan Chao quickly knelt down, said nothing, and only kowtowed. The one sitting in the south said, “It must be Guan Lu who revealed that we are playing Go here.” The two discussed and said, “Since we have eaten his wine and meat, we must help him somehow.”

The northern one said, “The documents are already fixed.” The southern one said, “Show me the documents.” Upon seeing that Yan Chao’s lifespan was only nineteen years, he took a brush and changed it, saying to Yan Chao, “I will let you live to ninety.” Then he added, “When you see Guan Lu again, tell him not to reveal heavenly secrets anymore, or he will suffer divine punishment.” After writing, the two turned into white cranes and flew away.

Guan Lu said to Yan Chao: “The one sitting in the north is the Northern Dipper, and the one sitting in the south is the Southern Dipper.”

“When a mortal is conceived, they pass from the Southern Dipper to the Northern Dipper. The Southern Dipper, the fire official, removes poison and harm; the Northern Dipper, the water god, extinguishes fierce disasters. All requests are granted, all stagnation is cleared. Those who sincerely perform rituals according to the scriptures will have their wishes fulfilled. All sentient beings who constantly pay homage will have no cause for calamity to come.”

III. The Status of the Six Southern Dipper Star Lords in Taoism

In Taoism, there are many scriptures about the Southern Dipper. The Six Southern Dipper Star Lords are the celestial officials who manage all living beings in the world. According to records, the Six Southern Dipper Star Lords are all under the jurisdiction of the Great Emperor of the Southern Pole, the Longevity Emperor. The “Yunji Qiqian, Volume 24, Section on Sun, Moon, and Stars, Part 2” says: “The Southern Dipper Lord and the seven stars method: The Old Lord said: The Southern Dipper Lord’s surname is Tang, given name Cu, style name Xuandao, from Taiyuan.”

The “Taishang Dongshen Tiangong Xiaomo Huguo Jing” states: “The Old Lord said: … The Eastern Dipper records calculations, the Western Dipper records names, the Northern Dipper records death, the Southern Dipper records life, the Yuanchen protects life, and the Central Dipper extends age…” Also: “Place the Southern Dipper in the south; its element is fire, governing summer and growth…”

The “Shangqing Jing” says: “The six stars of the Southern Dipper: the first, Tianfu Palace, is the Siming Star Lord; the second, Tianxiang Palace, is the Silu Star Lord; the third, Tianliang Palace, is the Yanshou Star Lord; the fourth, Tiantong Palace, is the Yisuan Star Lord; the fifth, Tianshu Palace, is the Du’e Star Lord; the sixth, Tianji Palace, is the Shangsheng Star Lord. They are collectively called the Six Si Star Lords.” From the duties of these six stars, it can be seen that the Southern Dipper stars all govern the extension of life, the elimination of calamities, and the bestowal of wealth and rank.

The “Taishang Shuo Nandou Liusi Yanshou Duren Miaojing” records the six offices of the Southern Dipper as: “The first, Southern Dipper Tianfu Siming Shangjiang Zhenguo Zhenjun; the second, Southern Dipper Tianxiang Silu Shangxiang Zhenyue Zhenjun; the third, Southern Dipper Tianliang Yanshou Baoming Zhenjun; the fourth, Southern Dipper Tiantong Yisuan Baosheng Zhenjun; the fifth, Southern Dipper Tianshu Du’e Wenchang Lianhun Zhenjun; the sixth, Southern Dipper Tianji Shangsheng Jianbu Dali Zhenjun.”

The same scripture says: “The Southern Dipper resides in the Li palace, named the Sun Star, descends its spirit into humans, called the soul, governs the yang officials, controls the Fire Emperor, and its use in moving and acting is of great virtue.”

Temples dedicated exclusively to the Southern Dipper Star Lords are called Southern Dipper Star Lord Temples. In folk tradition, it is also known as the “Longevity Office.” In Taoism, there are many scriptures about the Southern Dipper, commonly including the “Southern Dipper Scripture,” “Five Dipper Scriptures,” “Southern Dipper Longevity Ritual,” and “Southern Dipper Longevity Lamp Ritual.”

Looking at various Taoist texts, the Six Southern Dipper Star Lords each have their own duties, collectively governing the birth records and lifespans of all beings in the world. The Southern Dipper resides in the Li palace and governs growth, bearing the grace of heaven and earth’s nurturing. The ancients built temples to worship it, calling it the Longevity Office. This long-standing star belief carries the simple wishes of our ancestors to revere the heavenly way and pray for extended years and good fortune.

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