Tai Sui is a Chinese name for stars directly opposite the planet Jupiter (木星 Mùxīng) in its roughly 12-year orbital cycle. Personified as deities, they are important features of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Taoism, and to a lesser extent Chinese Buddhism.

Tai Sui
Traditional Chinese太歲
Simplified Chinese太岁
Literal meaninggreat years
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyintài suì
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingtaai3 seoi3
Southern Min
Hokkien POJThài-sòe
Tâi-lôThài-suè
Middle Chinese
Middle ChinesetʰɑiH siuᴇiH
Tai Sui General#1 (甲子太歲金辨大將軍)
Tai Sui altar in Singapore.
Tai Sui altar in Singapore.

The 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac were based on divisions of the Jovian orbital cycle, rather than as in the western zodiac—the apparent motion of the sun relative to the celestial sphere. The star thought to oppose Jupiter during each year of the cycle was personified as a heavenly general [zh] or cycle god and was believed to help the Jade Emperor control the mortal world.

By the Warring States period, the Tai Sui had become gods in the popular astrology; but no written records have been found of their worship prior to the Han dynasty. The earliest such record is found in Wang Chong's first-century Lunheng. There are several legends related to the Tai Sui,[citation needed] usually about people suffering disaster after disrespecting or ignoring them.

Their number later quintupled to sixty based on combinations of the twelve divisions (reckoned using the earthly stems) with the five Chinese elements of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each of the gods' features and attributes signifies the well-being of that year. For example, if the Tai Sui of a year holds a pen,[who?] this signifies political unrest for that particular year.[why?] On the other hand, a Tai Sui of the year who holds a spear or sword,[who?] signifies a need to work hard and excel in that year.[why?]

Yin Jiao, leader of the sixty Taisui Xingjun gods, doesn't govern any year in the 60-year cycle, and all of them were governed by one of the 60 subordinate Taisui. Yin Jiao in this context is called Taisui Tongling Yin Yuanshuai (Commander of the Tai Sui, General Yin). In Japan and Japanese folklore however, "Taisui Xingjun" is just one singular god.[1][2][3]

Practices

edit

In Taoism, those whose birth signs or other features clash with the Tai Sui of the year face misfortunes or disturbances for that year. This applies in each year to people born under four of the twelve animal zodiac signs. In 2017 for example, it applied to people born in the years of the rat, rabbit, horse and rooster. In Taiwan as the lunar year begins, people go to temples to seek peace and protection and drive away bad influences. This ceremony is known as "An Tai Sui" or pacifying the Tai Sui of the Year. In return, worshipers will receive a protective talisman from the temple which will give the person one year's spiritual protection.[4] This tradition is also practiced by other Overseas Chinese communities.

In Chinese culture it has been traditionally considered taboo to build a house facing Taisui (or in the directly opposite direction) in the corresponding year of the Chinese zodiac. A similar belief is associated with moving houses and the line drawn through the old and new dwellings.[5][6]

No./

Order/

Year

Yang/ Yin Years

(30 Yang

30 Yin Years)

Secret Name Talisman of the Tai Sui

(the Balance and Order

of the current Yang/ Yin Years)

Sexagenary Year of Tài-Suì

(Star God-Deity Presiding Over The Year)

Name of Dà-Jiāng-Jūn

(Heavenly Guardian General)

Associations

(Five Elements)

AD BC Current Cycle
Yin Talismans

– Name used

those born in

Yang Years

(in black)

Yang Talismans

– Name used

those born in

Yin Years

(in red)

Ten

Heavenly

Stem

Twelve

Earthly

Branch

(Chinese Zodiac)

Heavenly Stem-Earthly Branch Combination

(Mandarin Pinyin)

Mandarin Chinese Pinyin (Surname – Birth Name)
1 Yang
 
 
(Rat) 甲子太歲 Jiǎ-Zǐ Tài-Suì 金辨大將軍 Jīn Biàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Rat 4 57 1984
2 Yin
 
(Ox) 乙丑太歲 Yǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì 陳材大將軍 Chén Cái Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Ox 5 56 1985
3 Yang
 
(Tiger) 丙寅太歲 Bǐng-Yín Tài-Suì 耿章大將軍 Gěng Zhāng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Tiger 6 55 1986
4 Yin
 
(Rabbit) 丁卯太歲 Dīng-Mǎo Tài-Suì 沈興大將軍 Shěn Xīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Rabbit 7 54 1987
5 Yang
 
(Dragon) 戊辰太歲 Wù-Chén Tài-Suì 趙達大將軍 Zhào Dá Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Dragon 8 53 1988
6 Yin
 
(Snake) 己巳太歲 Jǐ-Sì Tài-Suì 郭燦大將軍 Guō Càn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Snake 9 52 1989
7 Yang
 
(Horse) 庚午太歲 Gēng-Wǔ Tài-Suì 王濟大將軍 Wáng Jì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Horse 10 51 1990
8 Yin
 
(Goat) 辛未太歲 Xīn-Wèi Tài-Suì 李素大將軍 Lǐ Sù Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Goat 11 50 1991
9 Yang
 
(Monkey) 壬申太歲 Rén-Shēn Tài-Suì 劉旺大將軍 Liú Wàng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Monkey 12 49 1992
10 Yin
 
(Rooster) 癸酉太歲 Guǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì 康志大將軍 Kāng Zhì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Rooster 13 48 1993
11 Yang
 
(Dog) 甲戌太歲 Jiǎ-Xū Tài-Suì 施廣大將軍 Shī Guǎng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Dog 14 47 1994
12 Yin
 
(Pig) 乙亥太歲 Yǐ-Hài Tài-Suì 任保大將軍 Rèn Bǎo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Pig 15 46 1995
13 Yang
 
(Rat) 丙子太歲 Bǐng-Zǐ Tài-Suì 郭嘉大將軍 Guō Jiā Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Rat 16 45 1996
14 Yin
 
(Ox) 丁丑太歲 Dīng-Chǒu Tài-Suì 汪文大將軍 Wāng Wén Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Ox 17 44 1997
15 Yang
 
(Tiger) 戊寅太歲 Wù-Yín Tài-Suì 魯先大將軍 Lǔ Xiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Tiger 18 43 1998
16 Yin
 
(Rabbit) 己卯太歲 Jǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì 龍仲大將軍 Lóng Zhòng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Rabbit 19 42 1999
17 Yang
 
(Dragon) 庚辰太歲 Gēng-Chén Tài-Suì 董德大將軍 Dǒng Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Dragon 20 41 2000
18 Yin
 
(Snake) 辛巳太歲 Xīn-Sì Tài-Suì 鄭但大將軍 Zhèng Dàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Snake 21 40 2001
19 Yang
 
(Horse) 壬午太歲 Rén-Wǔ Tài-Suì 陸明大將軍 Lù Míng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Horse 22 39 2002
20 Yin
 
(Goat) 癸未太歲 Guǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì 魏仁大將軍 Wèi Rén Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Goat 23 38 2003
21 Yang
 
(Monkey) 甲申太歲 Jiǎ-Shēn Tài-Suì 方傑大將軍 Fāng Jié Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Monkey 24 37 2004
22 Yin
 
(Rooster) 乙酉太歲 Yǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì 蔣崇大將軍 Jiǎng Chóng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Rooster 25 36 2005
23 Yang
 
(Dog) 丙戌太歲 Bǐng-Xū Tài-Suì 白敏大將軍 Bái Mǐn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Dog 26 35 2006
24 Yin
 
(Pig) 丁亥太歲 Dīng-Hài Tài-Suì 封濟大將軍 Fēng Jì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Pig 27 34 2007
25 Yang
 
(Rat) 戊子太歲 Wù-Zǐ Tài-Suì 鄒鐺大將軍 Zōu Dāng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Rat 28 33 2008
26 Yin
 
(Ox) 己丑太歲 Jǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì 傅佑大將軍 Fù Yòu Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Ox 29 32 2009
27 Yang
 
(Tiger) 庚寅太歲 Gēng-Yín Tài-Suì 鄔桓大將軍 Wū Huán Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Tiger 30 31 2010
28 Yin
 
(Rabbit) 辛卯太歲 Xīn-Mǎo Tài-Suì 范寧大將軍 Fàn Níng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Rabbit 31 30 2011
29 Yang
 
(Dragon) 壬辰太歲 Rén-Chén Tài-Suì 彭泰大將軍 Péng Tài Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Dragon 32 29 2012
30 Yin
 
(Snake) 癸巳太歲 Guǐ-Sì Tài-Suì 徐單大將軍 Xú Dān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Snake 33 28 2013
31 Yang
 
(Horse) 甲午太歲 Jiǎ-Wǔ Tài-Suì 章詞大將軍 Zhang Cí Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Horse 34 27 2014
32 Yin
 
(Goat) 乙未太歲 Yǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì 楊仙大將軍 Yáng Xiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Goat 35 26 2015
33 Yang
 
(Monkey) 丙申太歲 Bǐng-Shēn Tài-Suì 管仲大將軍 Guǎn Zhòng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Monkey 36 25 2016
34 Yin
 
Yang Year
(Rooster) 丁酉太歲 Dīng-Yǒu Tài-Suì 唐傑大將軍 Táng Jié Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Rooster 37 24 2017
35 Yang
 
(Dog) 戊戌太歲 Wù-Xū Tài-Suì 姜武大將軍 Jiāng Wǔ Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Dog 38 23 2018
36 Yin
 
(Pig) 己亥太歲 Jǐ-Hài Tài-Suì 謝太大將軍 Xiè Tài Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Pig 39 22 2019
37 Yang
 
(Rat) 庚子太歲 Gēng-Zǐ Tài-Suì 盧秘大將軍 Lú Bì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Rat 40 21 2020
38 Yin
 
(Ox) 辛丑太歲 Xīn-Chǒu Tài-Suì 楊信大將軍 Yáng Xìn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Ox 41 20 2021
39 Yang
 
(Tiger) 壬寅太歲 Rén-Yín Tài-Suì 賀諤大將軍 Hè È Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Tiger 42 19 2022
40 Yin
 
(Rabbit) 癸卯太歲 Guǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì 皮時大將軍 Pí Shí Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Rabbit 43 18 2023
41 Yang
 
(Dragon) 甲辰太歲 Jiǎ-Chén Tài-Suì 李誠大將軍 Lǐ Chéng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Dragon 44 17 2024
42 Yin
 
(Snake) 乙巳太歲 Yǐ-Sì Tài-Suì 吳遂大將軍 Wú Suì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Snake 45 16 2025
43 Yang
 
(Horse) 丙午太歲 Bǐng-Wǔ Tài-Suì 文哲大將軍 Wén Zhé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Horse 46 15 2026
44 Yin
 
(Goat) 丁未太歲 Dīng-Wèi Tài-Suì 繆丙大將軍 Miào Bǐng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Goat 47 14 2027
45 Yang
 
(Monkey) 戊申太歲 Wù-Shēn Tài-Suì 徐浩大將軍 Xú Hào Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Monkey 48 13 2028
46 Yin
 
(Rooster) 己酉太歲 Jǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì 程寶大將軍 Chéng Bǎo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Rooster 49 12 2029
47 Yang
 
(Dog) 庚戌太歲 Gēng-Xū Tài-Suì 倪秘大將軍 Ní Bì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Dog 50 11 2030
48 Yin
 
(Pig) 辛亥太歲 Xīn-Hài Tài-Suì 葉堅大將軍 Yè Jiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Pig 51 10 2031
49 Yang
 
(Rat) 壬子太歲 Rén-Zǐ Tài-Suì 丘德大將軍 Qiū Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Rat 52 9 2032
50 Yin
 
(Ox) 癸丑太歲 Guǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì 朱得大將軍 Zhū Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Ox 53 8 2033
51 Yang
 
(Tiger) 甲寅太歲 Jiǎ-Yín Tài-Suì 張朝大將軍 Zhāng Cháo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Wood Tiger 54 7 2034
52 Yin
 
(Rabbit) 乙卯太歲 Yǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì 萬清大將軍 Wàn Qīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Wood Rabbit 55 6 2035
53 Yang
 
(Dragon) 丙辰太歲 Bǐng-Chén Tài-Suì 辛亞大將軍 Xīn Yà Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Fire Dragon 56 5 2036
54 Yin
 
(Snake) 丁巳太歲 Dīng-Sì Tài-Suì 楊彥大將軍 Yáng Yàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Fire Snake 57 4 2037
55 Yang
 
(Horse) 戊午太歲 Wù-Wǔ Tài-Suì 黎卿大將軍 Lí Qīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Earth Horse 58 3 2038
56 Yin
 
(Goat) 己未太歲 Jǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì 傅黨大將軍 Fù Dǎng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Earth Goat 59 2 2039
57 Yang
 
(Monkey) 庚申太歲 Gēng-Shēn Tài-Suì 毛梓大將軍 Máo Zǐ Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Metal Monkey 60 1 2040
58 Yin
 
(Rooster) 辛酉太歲 Xīn-Yǒu Tài-Suì 石政大將軍 Shí Zhèng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Metal Rooster 1 60 2041
59 Yang
 
(Dog) 壬戌太歲 Rén-Xū Tài-Suì 洪充大將軍 Hóng Chōng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yang Water Dog 2 59 2042
60 Yin
 
(Pig) 癸亥太歲 Guǐ-Hài Tài-Suì 虞程大將軍 Yú Chéng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn Yin Water Pig 3 58 2043

Images of the Deities of the 60 Heavenly General of Tai Sui in correspondence to the previous detailed table above (refer to the Year number to Tai Sui and Heavenly General, e.g.: Year 1 – 甲子太歲 Jiǎ-Zǐ Tài-Suì 金辨大將軍 Jīn Biàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn)

60 Heavenly General of Tai Sui
Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲子太歲
金辨大將軍
 
乙丑太歲
陳材大將軍
 
丙寅太歲
耿章大將軍
 
丁卯太歲
沈興大將軍
 
戊辰太歲
趙達大將軍
 
己巳太歲
郭燦大將軍
 
庚午太歲
王濟大將軍
 
辛未太歲
李素大將軍
 
壬申太歲
劉旺大將軍
 
癸酉太歲
康志大將軍
Year 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲戌太歲
施廣大將軍
 
乙亥太歲
任保大將軍
 
丙子太歲
郭嘉大將軍
 
丁丑太歲
汪文大將軍
 
戊寅太歲
魯先大將軍
 
己卯太歲
龍仲大將軍
 
庚辰太歲
董德大將軍
 
辛巳太歲
鄭但大將軍
 
壬午太歲
陸明大將軍
 
癸未太歲
魏仁大將軍
Year 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲申太歲
方傑大將軍
 
乙酉太歲
蔣崇大將軍
 
丙戌太歲
白敏大將軍
 
丁亥太歲
封濟大將軍
 
戊子太歲
鄒鐺大將軍
 
己丑太歲
傅佑大將軍
 
庚寅太歲
鄔桓大將軍
 
辛卯太歲
范寧大將軍
 
壬辰太歲
彭泰大將軍
 
癸巳太歲
徐單大將軍
Year 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲午太歲
章詞大將軍
 
乙未太歲
楊仙大將軍
 
丙申太歲
管仲大將軍
 
丁酉太歲
唐傑大將軍
 
戊戌太歲
姜武大將軍
 
己亥太歲
謝太大將軍
 
庚子太歲
盧秘大將軍
 
辛丑太歲
楊信大將軍
 
壬寅太歲
賀諤大將軍
 
癸卯太歲
皮時大將軍
Year 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲辰太歲
李誠大將軍
 
乙巳太歲
吳遂大將軍
 
丙午太歲
文哲大將軍
 
丁未太歲
繆丙大將軍
 
戊申太歲
徐浩大將軍
 
己酉太歲
程寶大將軍
 
庚戌太歲
倪秘大將軍
 
辛亥太歲
葉堅大將軍
 
壬子太歲
丘德大將軍
 
癸丑太歲
朱得大將軍
Year 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/

Name of Heavenly General (大將軍)

 
甲寅太歲
張朝大將軍
 
乙卯太歲
萬清大將軍
 
丙辰太歲
辛亞大將軍
 
丁巳太歲
楊彥大將軍
 
戊午太歲
黎卿大將軍
 
己未太歲
傅黨大將軍
 
庚申太歲
毛梓大將軍
 
辛酉太歲
石政大將軍
 
壬戌太歲
洪充大將軍
 
癸亥太歲
虞程大將軍

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Akuma jiten = Dictionary of demons and devils. Atsushi Yamakita, Toshiyuki Satō, 篤 山北, 俊之 佐藤. 新紀元社. 2000. pp. 180–181, 362. ISBN 4-88317-353-4. OCLC 675723563.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  2. ^ Nikaidō, Yoshihiro; 二階堂善弘 (2006). Dōkyō, minkan shinkō ni okeru gensuishin no hen'yō. Suita-shi: Kansai Daigaku Shuppanbu. pp. 176–180. ISBN 4-87354-435-1. OCLC 76888476.
  3. ^ Yüan, K'o.; 袁珂. (1999). Chūgoku shinwa densetsu daijiten. Hiroshi Suzuki, 鈴木博 (Shohan ed.). Tōkyō: Taishūkan Shoten. p. 440. ISBN 4-469-01261-0. OCLC 41554347.
  4. ^ "The Year of the Ox bodes well for the world". taiwannews.com. 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2020-12-08.
  5. ^ Diamond, Kartar (2003). Feng Shui for Skeptics: Real Solutions Without Superstition. Four Pillars Pub. pp. 56. ISBN 9780967193786.
  6. ^ Press, Beijing Foreign Language (2012). Chinese Auspicious Culture. Asiapac Books Pte Ltd. p. 87. ISBN 9789812296429.
edit