Every year, during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, devotees of the Nine Emperor Gods celebrate for nine days and nights, creating places of intense worship in parts of Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. Temples are adorned with yellow curtains, Taoist priests enact ancient rituals, mediums perform feats of transcendence and vegetarian devotees utter prayers for blessings. Using the power of fire and water, the forces of yin and yang are brought into balance, believed to bring health, wealth and prosperity to the adherents. It is a lofty quest, requiring sacrifice and devotion from communities and individuals.
Refugees escaping Imperial atrocities in China appear to have created the tradition of worshipping the Nine Emperor Gods, helping to explain why the practice has followers in South-East Asia and not in China. It is said that nine brothers helped a Ming prince escape the Qing Emperor and, as punishment, were beheaded. In return for their sacrifice, they were deified and now reside in the heavens as the stars of the Big Dipper. It is commonly believed that they are the sons of the Duo Mu, the Goddess of the North Star. Each year, the Emperors are invited to earth for nine days of festivities in their honour.
