Praying to the White Tiger Deity for Blessings & Protection

The awakening of the ferocious white tiger after its winter hibernation was on March 6 this spring. This day differs yearly, based on the Chinese almanac. Also known as the White Tiger Festival, or simply, “the day when the white tiger opens its mouth”, it is a day when Taoist devotees throng temples to make offerings to appease the white tiger to avoid bad luck.

Armed with praying paraphernalia such as joss-sticks, candles and incense papers, food offerings are in the form of uncooked duck eggs, a large piece of lard, sesame seeds and mung beans.

The egg is used to stuff into the mouth of the White Tiger Deity, while the lard is used to wipe its mouth. This is part of the ritual by Taoists to get rid of backstabbers, malicious gossipers, and evil doers. And by doing so, the White Tiger Deity blesses and protects these devotees.

Also as part of the ritual, devotees whack the white paper effigy with their shoe, as it symbolises the whacking of evil doers, and disposing of them.

This white effigy is then stuck to the bottom of the wall, while the red effigy, which represents the Noble men or Good Samaritans, the paper in the shape of a Green Horse and two palms, are stuck to the upper section of the wall, the higher the better. This signifies that the Noble men will help the devotee to climb the ladder of success, after disposing of evil doers.

These photos I am sharing were taken from Ipoh’s Paloh Khoo Miu yesterday morning, when the White Tiger Deity was said to have opened its mouth at 12.09am. Check out the ritual performed and observed by Taoist devotees, to seek the blessings and protection from the White Tiger Deity.

Event: Praying to the White Tiger Deity for Blessings & Protection
Venue: Paloh Khoo Miu, Ipoh
Date: 6th March, 2014
Time: 9am

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