Photographer's Note
About the photo :-
Although already midnight, but the temple is still full with believers. Believers are all uphold their incense to avoid burn the other people. Not easy to shoot photos inside a praying hall that recently full with crowd, ash and smoke during the festival. Since red and yellow are typical color for Chinese especially at temple, so that I turn the photo into intensive red and yellow , to make it look like a printed photo at magazine.
Workshop Photo 1 : Another shot in natural color
Workshop Photo 2 : Another Photo
Nine Emperor Gods Festival
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival (Chinese: 九皇爺; pinyin: Jiǔhuángyé; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Káu-ông-iâ; Cantonese: Kow Wong Yeh) is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of 9th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, which is observed primarily in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, and also the Riau Islands at Indonesia.
* Nine Emperor Gods Festival Celebration in Popular Folk Culture *
On the eve of the ninth moon, temples of the deities hold a ceremony to invoke and welcome the nine emperors. Since the arrival of the gods are believed to be through the waterways, processions are held from temples to the sea-shore or river to symbolize this belief. Devotees dressed in traditional white, carrying incense and candles, await the arrival of their excellencies.
A carnival-like atmosphere pervades the temple throughout the nine-day festival. During this period of time, the constant tinkling of a prayer bell and chants from the temple priests are heard. Most devotees stay at the temple, eat vegetarian meals and recite continuous chanting of prayer. It is believed that there will be rain throughout the nine days of celebration.
The ninth day of the festival is its climax. A procession which draws scores of devotees send the deities back home
* Introduction to the Nine Emperor Gods *
The Nine Emperor Gods Jiǔ Huáng Xīng Jūn / Jiǔ Huáng Da Di (九皇星君/九皇大帝) are the nine sons manifested by Father Emperor Zhou Yu Dou Fu Yuan Jun (斗父周御國王天尊) and Mother of the Big Dipper Dou Mu Yuan Jun (斗母元君) who holds the Registrar of Life and Death. The worship of Dou Fu Yuan Jun has declined strongly as proper teachings of Taoism degenerate since being exported out of China. Today, most Nine Emperor God temples do not acknowledge the existence of Dou Fu Yuan Jun. However, Dou Fu Yuan Jun is invoked alongside Dou Mu Yuan Jun in Great Dipper Honouring known as Li Dou (禮斗) ceremonies. According To Priest Long Hua, the 35th Generation Leader of Long Shan Men Taoist Sect (Singapore), honouring the Northern Dipper stars prolongs one's life, eliminate calamities, and absolves sins and past debts of oneself and his family [1].
The term Ye (爺) as in Jiu Huang Ye (九皇爺) loosely translates as "Grandfather", a title worshipers commonly use to bring a more intimate relationship between themselves and the Nine Emperors. The Nine Emperor Gods should not be mixed up with the Wang Ye or Princes of the Ming rebels. Popular folk culture has it that the Nine Emperor Gods are actually sea pirates of the Ming dynasty that plotted to overthrow the Qing dynasty. According to Priest Long Hua, this information is inaccurate and considered derogatory to the actual teachings of Taoism as the Nine Emperor Gods are actually high ranking Star Lords who preside over the movement of planets and coordinate mortal Life and Death issues [2].
The Nine Emperors is formed by the 7 stars of the Big Dipper of the North Ursa Major (visible) and two assistant stars (invisible). When viewed closely, the arrangement of the 7 stars "the Ladle" and the 2 assistant stars on its left and right resembles a Yin-Yang pattern form.
The Nine Emperor Stars are:
Tan Lang Tai Xing Jun (貪狼太星君)1st Star (Visible) Bayer: α UMa
Ju Men Yuan Xing Jun (巨門元星君) 2nd Star (Visible) Bayer: β UMa
Lu Cun Zhen Xing Jun (祿存貞星君) 3rd Star (Visible) Bayer: γ UMa
Wen Qu Niu Xing Jun (文曲紐星君) 4th Star (Visible) Bayer: δ UMa
Lian Zhen Gang Xing Jun (玉廉貞綱星君) 5th Star(Visible) Bayer: ε UMa
Wu Qu Ji Xing Jun (武曲紀星君) 6th Star(Visible) Bayer: ζ UMa
Po Jun Guan Xing Jun (破軍關星君) 7th Star (Visible) Bayer: η UMa
Zuo Fu Da Dao Xing Jun (左輔大道星君) 8th Star (Invisible)
You Bi Da Dao Xing Jun (右弼大道星君) 9th Star (Invisible)
Source : Wikipedia - Nine Emperor Gods Festival
ManuMay, subhendu_bagchi, jusninasirun, pierrefonds, pajaran, abmdsudi, Kielia, adramad, jlbrthnn, s_lush, danos, pablominto marcou esta nota como útil
Critiques | Translate
ManuMay
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2467 W: 253 N: 4601]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(36447) 2010-10-17 22:15
Hi Ally!
Very good dailylife theme!
Good to compose that way and frame with red colourful roof, excellent scene full of colour and life, verygood saturation point...God one!
Thanks for including both WS...
Have a nice day...
Manu
Matthew-Watt
(5934) 2010-10-17 22:40
Hi Ally,
An interesting combination of bright colours, reds and yellow hues are popular fetival colours in Asia. One can almost smell the burning scent of the offerings and candles in this humid scene. I Like the black frame used to boldly present the photo. A good moment to have the camera handy.
Thanks,
Matt
jmdias
(114170) 2010-10-18 2:04
ally
interesting details of this festival. I can imagine that traditional Chinese culture and religion stayed alive here while was prohibited in China itself during many time .very nice details in the colored ceiling and people enjoying th e moment
hugs
jorge
pally3100
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 501 W: 9 N: 254]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-n-g.gif){kind=small}
(3413) 2010-10-18 4:03
hi dear Ally
very nice and colorfull picture in a good composition too .friendly best regards Henri
jusninasirun
(17529) 2010-10-18 5:11
Hi Ally. This is such a striking shot. Beautiful details with colorful ornamental subject hanging against the red drapes. The human interest adds perspective to the frame. Well documented shot and well done indeed. Thanks for sharing and have a nice day. Best regards. Jusni
pierrefonds
(113492) 2010-10-18 5:30
Hi Ally,
You have capture well the intense expression of devotion of the people. The point of view is showing the details and colors of this area of the temple. The light bof the flash is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.
Pierre
subhendu_bagchi
(26091) 2010-10-18 5:47
Namaste Ally,
great composition in vertical frame. Like the life in this frame. Eye catching for the strong presence of red. Light is good but a bit over exposed at foreground. Overall a superb presentation. Tfs.
Best wishes.
Subhendu
Silvio1953
(220465) 2010-10-18 6:19
Ciao Ally, great composition full of life, good vertical format and fantastic colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio
pajaran
(114801) 2010-10-18 7:39
Pozdrav.
Mnogo lepe boje i trenutak ...
Dobar rad sa fotografijama u radionici.
Dobar trenutak snimka sa blicem i tekst, lep prikaz narodnog obicaja, lepim bojama i fotografijom, moje cestitke na dobrom radu i trenutku snimka.
Sve najbolje.
Paja.
Google.
Hello.
Lots of nice colors and a moment ...
Good work with photos in the workshop.
A good time recording with flash, and text, a nice view of national customs, beautiful colors and photography, my congratulations on the good work and time recording.
All the best.
Paja.
abmdsudi
(95869) 2010-10-18 9:16
Hi Ally
Brillant red color dominating this event followed by yellow from top to bottom, everyone looks so focussed
in deep prayer holding their incense. I can share yr difficulty in taking this picture as you mentioned, the sound, the smoke and ash etc. Anayway its a religous event we have no choice but to respect and adapt to the situation. Interesting capture Ally, we have to tolerate the yellowish color. Thks for the extra images worth seeing, and well written notes. Congrats. TFS
Warm rgds
peppe59
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1247 W: 14 N: 974]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(14555) 2010-10-18 9:16
Ciao Ally,
the subjects in first slowly seem sovra exposed, beautiful scene of and optimal capture. Salutes
peppe
ruisc_pt
(11584) 2010-10-18 13:44
Full of life and energy this atmosphere you bring too us.
Fantastic image.
TFS Ally
R
Kielia
(24077) 2010-10-19 5:42
Hi Ally,
a very nice document! First of all I enjoyed reading your interesting note and then I saw this vivid society that you have captured very nicely. Very beautiful colors and light and what an interesting scene. Congratulation!
Warm regards
Harriet
adramad
(72526) 2010-10-19 7:42
Hi Ally.
Beautiful photo magnificently recreates the festive atmosphere. The two splendid WS they complement us well and best ideal of the myriad details of the temple and its colors.
Good job with optimum brightness and sharpness to dwell on the details.
Have a nice day. Best regards.
Luis.
Graal
(103040) 2010-10-19 23:52
Hi Ally,
an interesting reportage and presentation. Good note and WS also. Amazing Festival. Well photowork.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander
rodgerg
(55767) 2010-10-20 2:49
Hello Ally,
An image very well coloured with this beautiful red color which arise very well. Good managment of light too.
The POV well selected give a great depht to the image with the differents plans rich in details well collected.
Best regards,
Roger
jlbrthnn
(76043) 2010-10-20 15:28
Good evening Ally,
I discover with interest this very pleasant alive scene, and with the spectacular colors. I like also the ws. Good realization. Cheer.
Good night
Cordially
Joël
s_lush
(16602) 2010-10-20 23:46
Hello Ally,
The original image and work-shopped ones represents this interesting and colorful festival very well. Excellent colors, good quality despite the not very good conditions for capturing. Perfectly well done!
Best regards,
Sergiy
gunbud
(34066) 2010-10-21 19:30
Hi Ally,
Wonderful blast of lively colors and sharply seen textures to this fine festival image.
Wonderful job in these challenging lighting conditions.
Regards, Tom
John_F_Kennedy
(43797) 2010-10-21 23:21
Hello Ally,
Amazing colours and a wonderful light, very well contrasted picture very well composed.
best wishes,
Achim
batalay
(41261) 2010-10-22 18:53
Hello Ally,
The dominant red is truly eye catching, as is the sight of the festival. I like it very much, but the overexposure of the young woman in the foreground is a bit distracting. If it is alright with you, I am submitting a simple ws. The colors will be fictitious. Warm regards and have a good weekend,
Bulent
jemaflor
(146190) 2010-10-24 9:35
Hi Ally,
a red shot ...well taken to share with us this moment and this festival, well taken even the woman on the fg is overexposed ...
danos
(110407) 2010-10-24 10:35
Hi Ally,
spledid this snapshot in the temble with the lot of believers to pray to the God.A really difficult shot between so many people.
Have a good week,Danos
pablominto
(53746) 2010-10-28 23:03
Hello Ally,
The dominating red is very much present in this picturesque scene!
An interesting documentary of this festival, a well framed situation with good details...
Greetings,
Pablo -
***
Waylim
(25436) 2010-11-03 18:14
Hi Ally,
Not the best image, but the festivity and essence of the Chinese culture is very well depicted with intense red and gold colors. I just returned from a 2 week trip to China, so I can very well relate to the atmosphere the strong relegious spirit.
Way
Bluejeans
(64251) 2010-11-06 2:43
Ola Ally,
Beleza esta tua foto neste festival com as pessoas a queimar incenso , bem colorido o lugar com estes tons vermelhos, parabéns!!!
Um abraço Gonçalo
Bom fim de semana
Discussions
- To jmdias: Religions, beliefs and culture prohibited in China (1)
by shevchenko, last updated 2010-10-18 08:33
