The Chinese New Year celebrations continue with thousands of Hokkien people celebrating Thnee Kong Seh (the Birthday of the Jade Emperor).
Pai Thnee Kong translates simply as “worshipping the Jade Emperor.”
The Hokkiens offer thanksgiving prayers on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year.
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Hokkien New Year
Commonly called the Hokkien New Year, Thnee Kong Seh is a big celebration in Penang, with devotees thronging Chew Jetty in Weld Quay and the Thnee Kong Tnua (Jade Emperor Temple) at the foot of Penang Hill.
The Jade Emperor is seen as the most important god in the Taoist pantheon, ruling over all other Taoist deities and having authority over everything.
His main duty is to administer justice, which he performs by using the Hellish court system to punish evil deeds and thoughts.
Thnee Kong Seh
Feast Day of the Heavenly God
Legend has it that the Hokkien people took refuge in a sugarcane plantation and escaped unharmed, which accounts for the connection between the Hokkien and sugarcane.
The birthday of the Heavenly God (Jade Emperor) falls on the 9th day of the Chinese New Year (the 9th day of the lunar calendar – the 8th day after midnight).
The cultural and religious festival is one of the most important festivals for the Hokkien community in Penang.
The Hokkien Massacre
Throughout the Song Dynasty, most of the clans in Southern China (Fujian, Henan, and Zhejiang) were harshly oppressed and continually feared the Mongols (also known as the Mongol dynasty).
The Mongols saw the Hokkien as a danger to the empire and frequently attacked and pursued the Hokkien clan, leaving them defenseless.
Eventually the Hokkien made their way to the Henan Province, where sugarcane is a major crop in numerous plantations.
The Mongol invaders murdered many Hokkien, but some escaped death by hiding in the sugarcane plantations.
After days of searching, the pursuing Mongols failed to find any more Hokkien. Eventually, the Mongols gave up and went back to their stronghold.
The Hokkien joyfully emerged from their hiding place on the 9th day of the Chinese calendar, thanking the celestial gods, Thnee Kong (Jade Emperor), for protecting them.
That day is often called the Hokkien New Year because of its significance to the Hokkien people.
Importance of Sugarcane Plants
Since then, the sugarcane plant has taken center stage in all Hokkien festivities.
9th day of the Lunar New Year is regarded as the day of redemption by the Hokkien community.
A pair of sugarcane plants are often put as a gift to the Heavenly god, one on each side of the offering table.
The pair is a representation of strength, unity, and coherence.
Sugarcane is a symbol of harmony since it produces only good outcomes.
List of Prayer Items
The Pai Thnee Kong celebration is of religious and cultural significance to the Chinese Hokkien communities and is widely celebrated in Penang.
On the 8th day of the Chinese New Year, food and prayer items are set up on a makeshift altar at the front entrance of Hokkien homes.
The women are busy preparing one or two days before the night prayers.
In Penang, this festival is celebrated on a grand scale at the Chew Jetty.
Technically, the worshippers may start the rites at 11:00 pm, though many nowadays wait until midnight sharp.
The ‘must-have offering for the Hokkien is the ‘Kam Chia’ or sugarcane.
Here are the 12 must-have offerings for Thnee Kong birthday prayers
- Tea, alcohol, and water (3 cups each)
- Vegetarian Food (6 types)
- Bit Chien (skewered sweets)
- Fresh fruit (3 – 5 types)
- Vegetarian biscuits
- Fresh flowers
- Ngor Siew Th’ng (bright pink Sugarpaste Pink Pagodas)
- Bee Koe (sweet glutinous rice), Huat Kueh (pink steamed rice cakes), Ang Koo (red glutinous rice cakes), and Red steamed tortoise buns (Mi Koo)
- Sugarcane Stalks ( 1 pair)
- Mee Suah and Red Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Joss paper ingots (Thnee Kong Kim)
- Three types of meat (Roasted Pork, Chicken, or Duck)
Thnee Kong Tok
The Thnee Kong Tok (Pai Thnee Kong altar) hosts abundant auspicious and symbolic prayer offerings prepared with devotion.
The raised altar (draped in a red tablecloth) stands on benches and faces the main door or gate, looking out.
Prayers at the Thnee Kong Tok. Photo: State Chinese Penang Association
Meats
The grand offering includes a whole roasted pig, boiled chicken, roast duck, fish, and whole boiled crabs.
Meaning: The offering symbolizes completeness and wholeness, representing blessings and good fortune for the family.
Photo: Edward Law
Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
Chinese Sweetcakes
Chinese Sweetcakes for Pai Thnee Kong Essentials are
- Ngor Siew Th’ng (Sugarpaste Pink Pagoda)
- Bit Chien (skewered sweets)
- Bee Koe (sweet glutinous rice)
- Huat Kueh (pink steamed rice cakes)
- Ang Ku Kueh (red glutinous rice cakes)
- Mi Koo (Red steamed tortoise-shaped buns)
- Thnee Kuih (Sweet Glutinous Rice Cake)
- Longevity Peach Steamed Buns
Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
Meaning: The placement of sugarcanes at the altar is a profound reminder of the Hokkien people’s deliverance and their enduring gratitude.
Fresh Fruit
The Hokkien decorate fresh fruit for prayers with strips of red paper cutouts.
- Gourd (plenty and protection)
- Banana (welcoming plentiful offspring)
- Pomelo (Shou, the Stellar deity embodying longevity, is always shown with this fruit in his palm)
- Pineapple (glory and greatness)
- Mandarin Oranges (gold, wealth)
- Pears
- Plums
- Apples
- Pomegranates
- Clamansi Lime
Meaning: Fresh fruit, adorned with red paper decorations, symbolizes good fortune, prosperity, and blessings.
Dried Offerings
- Dried Fruits
- Biscuits
- Ginkgo
- Mushrooms
- Glass Noodles
- Vermicelli
- Bean curd
- Lotus buds
- Fungus
- Longans
- Dried Dates
Meaning: Candied fruits represent blessings, prosperity, and the hope for sweetness in life.
Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
Paper Offerings
‘Thnee Kong Kim’ gold joss paper exclusively for the Emperor of Heaven.
Golden pineapple ‘Kim Ong Lai.’
The Hokkiens made piles of ‘Thnee Kong Kim’ gold joss paper exclusively for the Jade Emperor.
These yellow and gold papers are hung from the sugarcanes before being burnt as a thanksgiving offering in hopes of good heaven-earth currency multiplication and exchange.
Photo: Peng Hong Yeoh
Join the Vibrant Celebration of Pai Thnee Kong Festival in Penang
Experience the rich heritage of the Hokkien community at Chew Jetty this Chinese New Year.
Witness the Hokkien community fill a 60-meter-long altar with food offerings, burn Kim Cua as a heartfelt thanksgiving to Thnee Kong, and light up the night with blazing sugarcane stalks.
Don’t miss the midnight fireworks and firecrackers that mark the joyous start of the 9th day, celebrating resilience, harmony, and blessings for all.
Bring your offerings, join in the prayers, and immerse yourself in this unique cultural festival.
See you at Chew Jetty!
Map to Chew Jetty
Source:
Jade Emperor’s birthday celebration at Chew Jetty resumes after two years (The Star)
Celebration Fit For An Emperor (NST)
Photographer: Mr. Peng Hong Yeoh
[Updated 26 Jan 2025 with Map]
