Lidou is a Taoist ceremonial ritual to diffuse misfortunes, pray for blessings, and extend life. Officially called “Lidou Ceremony of Truth,” or “Birthyear Ritual.” As the saying goes, “There is no lidou ceremony in Buddhism, and the Daoists do not feed hungry ghosts.” Lidou is a ceremony specific to Daoism that involves worshipping the guardian of one’s birthyear, to bring more glory to the birthstar, mitigate disasters and bring blessings, and offering a prayer for peace.
｜Ceremonial Implements｜
Scoop, umbrella, rice, portending slips, scissors, ruler, mirror, scale, torch, sword.
These implements each hold specific significance:
【Scoop, umbrella】represents the universe (arching heaven, squares of land: the umbrella is the arch, the scoop is the shape of a square)
【Rice】Represents the countless stars (the universe is covered with stars)
【Scissors】Represents the mythical vermillion phoenix (fire in character, and positioned in the south, the shape of the scissors recalls the bird’s beak)
【Ruler】 Represents the mythical azure dragon (wood in character, positioned in the east; the shape of the ruler recalls the body of a dragon.)
【Sword, mirror】Represents the mythical black tortoise (water in character, positioned in the north; the two implements form the shape of a turtle and snake.)
【Scale】Represents the mythical white tiger (metal in character, positioned in the west; the tassel of the scale resembles a tiger’s tail.)
【Torch】Represents the birth year star.
｜Ceremonial Implements｜
Scoop, umbrella, rice, portending slips, scissors, ruler, mirror, scale, torch, sword.
These implements each hold specific significance:
【Scoop, umbrella】represents the universe (arching heaven, squares of land: the umbrella is the arch, the scoop is the shape of a square)
【Rice】Represents the countless stars (the universe is covered with stars)
【Scissors】Represents the mythical vermillion phoenix (fire in character, and positioned in the south, the shape of the scissors recalls the bird’s beak)
【Ruler】 Represents the mythical azure dragon (wood in character, positioned in the east; the shape of the ruler recalls the body of a dragon.)
【Sword, mirror】Represents the mythical black tortoise (water in character, positioned in the north; the two implements form the shape of a turtle and snake.)
【Scale】Represents the mythical white tiger (metal in character, positioned in the west; the tassel of the scale resembles a tiger’s tail.)
【Torch】Represents the birth year star.