Introduction to the Deities and Route for Pilgrimage

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month♦



The Central Dipper is the leader of the star deities, and oversees all spirits. He is served by three officials. In the first palace is Helingdushi Star Lord; in the second palace is Ganhuashangsheng Star Lord; and in the third palace is Chongheyude Star Lord. 

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 3rd day of the 8th lunar month♦



The Northern Dipper is responsible for resolving suffering and prolonging life, with seven palaces. In the first palace is the Tiānshū yángmíng tān láng Star Lord; in the second palace is Tiān xuán yīn jīng jùmén Star Lord; in the third palace is Tiānjīzhēnrénlùcún Star Lord; in the fourth palace is Tiānquánxuánmíngwénqū Star Lord; in the fifth palace is Tiānhéngdānyuánliánzhēn Star Lord; in the sixth palace is Kǎiyángběijíwǔqū Star Lord; in the seventh palace is Yáoguāngtiānchōngpòjūn Star Lord.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the first day of the ninth month♦



The Lord of the Southern Dipper has six palaces (stars), called the six officials, responsible for extending life and assisting people. In the first palace is Tiānfǔsīmìng Star Lord; the second palace is Tiānxiàngsīlù Star Lord; in the third palace is Tianliang Yanshou Star Lord; in the fourth palace is Tiantongyi Shuan Star Lord; in the fifth palace is Tianshu Du'e Star Lord; in the sixth palace is Tianjisheng Star Lord.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 25th day of the first lunar month ♦



The Eastern Dipper is responsible for calculation and preserving life, and has five palaces. In the first palace is Cangling Yanshen Star Lord; in the second palace is Lingyan Huming Star Lord; in the third palace is Kaitian Jifu Starlord; in the fourth palace is Daming Heyang Star Lord; in the fifth palace is Weiji Zongjian Star Lord.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 8th day of the tenth lunar month♦

The Western Dipper is responsible for the recording of names and bodily protection, and has four palaces. In the first palace is Gongbaibiao Star Lord; in the second palace is Fugauyuan Star Lord; in the third palace is Dianhuangling Star Lord; in the fourth palace is Jiangjuwei Star Lord.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 3rd day of the 2nd lunar month ♦



Also known by his full title Lord Wenchang Zitong, or Lord Zitong and Lord Wenchang, he is responsible for the roster of prosperity (their literary fate and professional careers). He was born as Chang Yazi at the end of the Western Jin dynasty. He was intelligent by nature with a righteous character; he performed good deeds, and promoted culture and education, so was beloved by the people and was canonized by the courts of several dynasties. “Confucius in the North, Wenchang in the South,” he was an exemplar for Taoist culture, and is a deity worshipped by cultured learners and academics. 

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th Lunar month♦



Master Wen Kui is also known as Star Lord Kui, Great Master Kui, or Greta Kui the Star Lord. He is the incarnation of the star Megrez, and is a guardian saint of scholars. The form is based on the shape of the character “魁 (kui)”, with a foot raised up in the back like the long, hooked stroke of the character containing the radical character斗 (dou, dipper), with the other hand holding a writing implement, suggesting the pen that marks the names of those who will pass the test. This is the basis for the saying “Those marked by the Kui Star Lord will rise to the top.”

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month♦



Caishen (the God of Weath) was named Chao Lang, with the nom de plum of Gong Ming. He was canonized as “Lord Zhao the Marshal” during the Zhou dynasty, and referred to as “Omniscient Heavenly Honor” as well as “Golden Dragon  
Righteous Dragon Tiger True Lord”. He is often colloquially called “Military God of Wealth.” He defends the central Wuji territories and controls the wealth day of the world. According to the Canonical Roster, Wucai God hails from Emei Mountain in Sichuan, and was the master of Luofu Cave where he practived and achieved the Dao.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month♦

The East Caisheng Xiao Sheng, God of Collecting Treasures, was the proprietor of a jewelry shop during his lifetime. He holds “currency for acquiring treasures” in his hands that allows him to purchase all of the magical treasures under heaven, including pearls and agate, etc.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 15th day of the third Lunar month♦

The South Caishen Chen Jiu Gong, God of Attracting Wealth, was once a man of wealth in Luoyang during the Shang dynasty. Known for his gift for buying low and selling high, and moving supplies where needed. He was the second disciple of Zhao Gong Ming.

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month♦



The West Caishen Cao Bao, God of Collecting Valuables, possesses countless rare and unusual earthly treasures including the ethereal jade from the North Seas, and the pearl that evades the cold. 

♦Sacred birth celebrated on the 15th day of the third lunar month♦

The North Caishen Yao Shao Si, God of Profitabilit, assisted Zhao Gong Ming with accounts, and was Zhao Gong Ming’s first disciple.