Daoism and the Dipper Stars

 

Daoism, across milleniums, has maintained a living, vibrant tradition of worship and celebration of the stars of the Dipper.

Known in Chinese as Bei Dao, the Dipper stars are worshipped regularly in Daoist temples across the world.

 

An Altar in a temple in central China, showing maps of the stars of the Dipper. The priests use a floor map of the constellaton, and trace the shape of the Dipper with their feet during the Ritual.

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The Immortals were said to dance upon the stars of Bei Dou, and prominent chinese sages have starlight connections.

Confucious' mother dreamt of a spirit coming from the Stars before his birth, and the Mother of the Yellow Emperor saw lightening twirling around Bei Dou the night she conceived.

 

An Altar in Hemingshan, decorated with flags to celebrate the Bei Dou ( Dipper stars) ceremony.

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Bei Dou takes an honourary place in Daoist cosmology.

The stars are accorded with being the regulators of Yin and Yang, rulers of the heavens.

A Daoist prayer book:

In the left hand column are the characters "bei dou" meaning the Stars of the Big Dipper.

 

Great Saint Bei Dou Queen of Seven Stars

Relieves all problems caused by fate

Great Saint Bei Dou Queen of Seven Stars

Relieves all problems made on Earth

Great Saint Bei Dou Queen of Seven Stars

Relieves all human pain and suffering

Prevents harm and keeps us safe

Great Saint Bei Dou Queen of Seven Stars

Da Xing Bei Dou Qi Yun Guan

 

a page from the Bei Dou Ging, a prayer book for rituals to the Dipper Stars

A Daoist Prayer to Luk Chuen, Third Star of Bei Dou

 

From the Uttermost of my heart, I dedicate this Ritual:

In the residence of Chi Mei Wan, the King of the North Pole,

Within the Palace of Yat Yuen,

the regulation of Yin and Yang occurs,

the masses on Earth below are nourished,

the cycles of days and nights are formed,

the residences around the heaven are managed,

no wish is not answered

every suffering is relieved

the merciful and the willing

the holy and the benevolent

the saint in the middle heaven

the Third Star in the Big Dipper

Luk Chuen, Star God.