Documentary Photo Essay
In a society where tradition has increasingly taken a backseat, one family continues to uphold the yearly tradition of celebrating the Jade Emperor's birthday. The festive gathering is brimming with family and friends, but it prompts a question: Is this tradition rooted in genuine faith, or does it just serve a social purpose?Through this photo essay, Taryn documents her family’s yearly observance as a way to reflect on the meaning behind the rituals she has grown up with.
Happy Birthday
Ti Gong
On the ninth day of the lunar new year, devotees celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday, whom they call “Ti Gong” which translates to “Heavenly Father” in Hokkien.
Devotees head to temples to express gratitude to the Jade Emperor for his blessings and pray for peace, good health, and prosperity.
For the Ng Family, worshipping Ti Gong is an annual family affair that takes place at home.Mdm Lim Ah Chai, 82, helms preparation of the feast offered in the ritual.
Feb, 2025
The day before, Mdm Lim still had free time and watched television with her husband, Mr Ng Tian Seh (right), 85. She learnt to perform the Taoist rituals from his family and remains committed to the practice today. Mr Ng was sharing the folktale behind worshipping Ti Gong but Mdm Lim seemed uninterested. “I just watched the elders then learnt to do it on my own. I do it so Ti Gong will bless my family, it’s just the way it is. I don’t think too much about it,” she said.
At 7AM, Mdm Lim arrived at Ang Mo Kio 628 Market to shop for offerings. Her daughter-in-law, Mdm Lee Kok Hiang, 48, ferried her to the market and helped carry groceries. At the vegetable stall, Mdm Lim bought more Kai Lan stems for dinner that night, to Mdm Lee’s annoyance. “She likes to cook what she just bought rather than using up what’s left in the fridge. We still have two Kai Lan stems at home,” said Mdm Lee.
Mdm Lim shops for more ingredients at Sheng Siong supermarket.
Back home, Mdm Lim’s helper rushed to help her unpack and prepare the ingredients. With the whole duck and chicken she bought, Mdm Lim planned to make braised duck and steamed chicken. “When praying to Ti Gong, we must only offer whole foods, that’s why we are using whole chicken and duck," Mdm Lim said as she thawed the chicken in water.
Mdm Lim fishes the braised duck out of the wok.
Amidst the frenzy of prepping offerings for the ritual, the doorbell rang and a styrofoam box was delivered. Mdm Lim was thrilled to receive three large lobsters. Her son had ordered them for the ritual. As Mdm Lim picked up the lobsters to examine them, she exclaimed, “Lobsters for the dragon year!”
While Mdm Lim busied herself with preparations at home, her son, Mr Ng Soon Keong, 57, and Mdm Lee head to collect their whole roast pig pre-ordered from a month ago. Outside the shop, rows of roast pig line the table. After checking their order, Mr Ng finally chose one after scrutinising the row of pigs he could choose from. “The roast pigs this year are quite nice, but they increased the price. But people still buy it because they want to offer it to Ti Gong.” Mr Ng said.
After dinner, the altar is set up and Mdm Lim offered the first three joss-sticks once the ritual began. Family members and guests take turns lighting incense leading up to midnight when another ceremony will take place. “I just pray for my family’s good health, my son’s business to make money, and to strike 4D,” Mdm Lim said while laughing.
The Ng family gathers at the altar to offer incense.
Mid ritual, Mr Lim Koon Seng, 49, Mdm Lim’s nephew, rushed to an offering wholesaler to buy more supplies for a “luck-renewing” ceremony later. As a devout Taoist, Mr Lim, a machine operator, joins Mdm Lim’s family for the ritual yearly.
At 12AM, the “luck-renewing” ceremony began. Mr Ng Zheng Ning Don (left), 18, currently in National Service, kneeled before the altar holding his birth chart and three joss-sticks. After circling Mr Ng’s head with a red egg thrice while muttering auspicious blessings, Mr Lim made one clean strike to his forehead. “I’m not sure why we do this every year, but it’s fun and there is no harm in a ritual like that,” Mr Ng said as he headed back to the gambling table.
Stacked bowls of birth charts and cracked red egg shells beside the offerings table.
Away from the altar, guests entertained themselves with Poker and Mahjong between prayers. Besides gathering to celebrate Ti Gong’s birthday, guests revel in this social and thrilling activity while waiting to send Ti Gong off with burning of the offerings. Mr Lee Kiat Ho (most left), 77, is retired and is Mdm Lim’s in-laws. He still visits the family despite already converting to Christianity seven years ago. “It’s a fun way to catch up with family and friends even if I don’t take part in the prayers," he said.
"3…2…1…Huat ah!” Shreds of carrots and Yu Sheng ingredients fly as the younger ones toss a plate of Yu Sheng the adults prepared while waiting to “send off” Ti Gong later. The adults took videos of the boisterous scene and laughed on the sidelines.
When it was time, the devotees carried stacks of offerings and a grand paper palace to a sidewalk and began piling them. Upon lighting, the pile blazed wildly and the devotees watched from a distance, muttering prayers under their breath.
Meanwhile, a few who stayed in the house like Mdm Lim had begun preparations for supper. As Mdm Lim brought out a piping hot bowl of porridge, guests helped themselves to the feast of offerings. Mr Ku Yee Cheng (right), 41, an events decoration manager and friend of Mr Ng, savoured the meal. “I see this ritual as a way to remember our culture, but of course, it’s to see my friends too," Mr Ku said.
While guests took their turns at the dining table and some continued poker, little Paisley, 6, had fallen asleep in Mdm Chen Mimi’s lap. The hawker, also a family friend, had been sitting at the sofa with Paisley the past hour while Paisley’s mother played poker. It was already almost 3am and fatigue was setting in for some guests.
At last, the last guests had their fills and left. It was 4AM. After packing the offerings and cleaning up, Mdm Lim could finally sit down. Only Mr Ng and Mdm Lim had yet to eat. The porridge had turned cold and only one out of the three lobsters remained. “I’m tired but it’s just once a year and for Ti Gong. I’ll just sleep in a bit later tomorrow,” Mdm Lim said as she finished up her porridge.