The Xiao Tianyou 萧天祐

Xiao Tianyou, who originally bore the surname Cai, lived during the Taiding period of the Yuan Dynasty (1324-1327).

In the second year of the Yanyou period (1315), he was bestowed the honorific title "True Person of Taiyi, Venerating Mystery, Embodiment of Simplicity, and Propagating the Dao" (Taiyi Chongxuan Tisu Yandao Zhenren). He participated in the Golden Register Universal Great Ritual (Jinlu Putiandajiao) held at Changchun Palace in Dadu (the Yuan Dynasty capital, present-day Beijing), and together with Li Ti, who held the official rank of Zhongfeng Dafu (Grand Master of Moderate Respect), went to the Spiritual Source of the Jidu (one of China’s major sacred waterways) to conduct the Dragon-throwing and Worship Ritual (a traditional Taoist ceremony to pay tribute to deities of rivers and mountains).

From the third year of the Yanyou period to the first year of the Taiding period (1316-1324), he succeeded as the 7th Patriarch of the Taiyi Sect (a major Taoist school in the Yuan Dynasty).

In the first year of the Taiding period (1324), in his capacity as the successor of the Taiyi Sect, he led Taoist priests to hold the Golden Register Celestial Great Ritual (Jinlu Zhoutiandajiao) at Chongzhen Wanshou Palace in Dadu.