"Receiving the Divine Presence" is a Taoist ritual specifically performed on the morning when the Jade Emperor makes his celestial inspection. "Receiving" here means "to welcome", and "Presence" refers to "the sacred imperial presence", denoting the Jade Emperor. The "Receiving the Divine Presence" ritual is the ceremony conducted when welcoming the Jade Emperor. Taoist temples hold a grand ceremony to welcome the sacred presence of the Jade Emperor at midnight (i.e., 0:00) on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month in the lunar calendar, which is briefly called "welcoming the imperial carriage".
The procedure is as follows: After reciting The Scripture of the Supreme Numinous Treasure “Tianzun” on Averting Disasters and Delivering from Calamities in the morning lessons, the Gaogong (senior Taoist priest) kneels and rises to chant the invocation rhyme, starts the "Minor Praise Rhyme", the abbot offers incense, the clapper is struck, the Gaogong delivers a scripted address, the liturgist begins the "Buxu" rhyme, the Gaogong intones "The Three Treasures “Tianzun” of the Great Luo", the Gaogong initiates the "hanging chant", the announcer makes a proclamation, then the "“Tianzun” board" is sounded, all chant "“Tianzun” of the Arrival of the Crane Carriage", the Gaogong delivers another address, and then intones "“Tianzun” of Divine Water for Purifying Impurities", "“Tianzun” of Incense Clouds Conveying Sincerity", "“Tianzun” of the Red Bright Middle Epoch", "“Tianzun” of the Uncompleted Kaihuang Epoch", "“Tianzun” of the Jade Emperor Pardoning Sins", "“Tianzun” of the Golden Countenance and Jade Appearance". The Taoist practitioners then exit the hall to the Heavenly Altar and withdraw in order.
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Through this ritual, they respectfully face the jade altar, inviting the Jade Emperor to descend to the human world, bestow blessings, avert disasters, and prolong life.
Jie Jia – Welcoming the Jade Emperor’s Celestial Chariot
The midnight rite held on the 25th night of the twelfth lunar month, when Taoist temples open their gates to receive the Supreme Thearch and invite blessings for the coming year.
1. Etymology & Core Meaning
接 (Jie): to welcome, to receive.
驾 (Jia): imperial chariot; the sacred carriage of the Jade Emperor.
Together, Jie Jia denotes the formal liturgy that greets the descending chariot of the Highest Sovereign at the threshold between years.
2. Ceremonial Sequence at Midnight
- After the morning liturgy, the Tai Shang Ling Bao Tian Zun Shuo Rang Zai Du E Zhen Jing is recited.
- The Senior Priest (Gao Gong) kneels and intones the Qi Qing Yun (Invocation Tune) followed by the Xiao Zan Yun (Brief Hymn).
- The Abbot (Jian Yuan) offers incense and strikes the temple block (Sha Ban).
- The Bu Xu Yun (Pacing the Void) is raised, leading to the invocation of the Three Treasures of the Grand Purity.
- Sequence continues with Diao Gua (Hanging Verses), public proclamation, and the Tian Zun Ban (Celestial Worthy Beat).
- All chant “He Jia Lai Lin Tian Zun” (The Crane Chariot Approaches).
- Further invocations of six celestial worthies, culminating in the procession to the open-air Heaven Altar.
- Ritual dismissal (Tui Ban).
3. Symbolism & Cosmic Blueprint
The midnight hour mirrors the Taiji point where Yin is deepest and Yang is about to be reborn. Golden talismans flutter in starlight, echoing the constellation banners of the Jade Emperor’s entourage. Each step of the priest is paced to the rhythm of the cosmos, aligning Earth with Heaven.
4. Living Tradition Today
Temples livestream the midnight rite worldwide; devotees set up small altars at home, lighting gold-foil incense timed to the temple bell. The annual Jie Jia has inspired limited-edition incense blends, silk star-maps and hand-gilded talismans that carry the promise of renewal and protection into the secular home.
Explore our Jie Jia Collection: midnight-blended temple incense, constellation-print altar cloths and gold-embossed talismans—crafted to welcome the Jade Emperor’s blessing into your space.
