肆殿 · 三官大帝
The Three Officials
Step across the threshold - Among the oldest objects of Taoist worship — heaven, earth and water themselves, personified as three brothers. Their three festivals of the lunar year remain living holidays across China today.
3 Deities on display
天
The Upper Yuan
Official of Heaven Who Bestows Blessings
On the fifteenth night of the first lunar month — the Lantern Festival — the Official of Heaven descends to distribute blessings. Red scrolls reading 'Heaven's Official Bestows Blessings' still hang over doorways across China.
- Scroll of blessings
- Lantern festival lights
- The color of heaven, crimson
地
The Middle Yuan
Official of Earth Who Pardons Sins
On the fifteenth of the seventh month — the Ghost Festival — the Official of Earth opens the registers of the underworld and pardons the dead. Lanterns are set on rivers to guide the released souls home.
- Decree of pardon
- River lanterns for the dead
- The opened registers of the underworld
水
The Lower Yuan
Official of Water Who Dissolves Misfortune
On the fifteenth of the tenth month, the Official of Water examines the conduct of mortals and dissolves their misfortunes. Craftsmen once worshipped him as patron of metalwork on that day.
- Tablet of release
- Flowing waters
- The inspection of mortal deeds