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Nine Emperors

38 images Created 24 Oct 2012

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  • A guardian of the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy painted on the temple doors.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.19-09.32.52-2.jpg
  • These paper dolls are called Ta Siw Yan and act as a type of talisman to protect family members from misfortune. Oftentimes the are bought by older members of the family who will take them, hit them with their shoe and then burn them for good luck.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.20-08.20.10-3.jpg
  • Throughout the week Taoists come to the temple and offer prayers and concerns.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.20-09.22.19.jpg
  • A Taoist worshiper kneels and prays before the idols.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-14.27.53.jpg
  • Worshipers stand on the ornately painted  lotus flowers on the floors of the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy in Penang, Malaysia.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-14.32.16.jpg
  • As monks recite prayers devotees bow before the Taoist idols.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-14.40.37.jpg
  • As monks recite prayers devote these bow before the Taoist idols.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-14.39.20.jpg
  • A temple volunteer rests during the week festival of the nine emperors.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-13.46.32-2.jpg
  • Here candles are lit as an offering or prayer to departed souls especially during the Festival of the Nine Emperors.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-13.48.18.jpg
  • A Taoist God's reflection in an offertory candle at the Temple of the Goddess of Mercy.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-13.44.00.jpg
  • A worshiper lights joss sticks (incense) as he prepares to pray at the temple of the Goddess of Mercy in Penang, Malaysia.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-13.32.23.jpg
  • Talisman are important part of Taoist ritual and worship. These are freshly printed and will be used in worship later in the festival.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.19-09.54.17-2.jpg
  • Taoist devotees shake cans filled with numbered sticks till a stick eventually falls out. The sticks are numbered and the number is associated with paper that contains their fortune. These particular fortunes seen never to be used.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.19-09.38.16-2.jpg
  • Incense offered in various ways. Here incense is hung from the ceiling in spirals.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-13.55.20.jpg
  • Joss paper is offered up as a prayer and an offering of worship.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.20-08.20.53-3.jpg
  • Implements of Taoist life. Fortune sticks and Seng Pui lay at before the Nine Emperors.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.53.57.jpg
  • Tension heightens as the decision-making process continues. People wait to know who will be next year's leader of the festival.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.43.56-2.jpg
  • Leaders of the temple and the community gather around to find out who will be in charge of next year's ceremony. Every toss of the wooden Seng Pui helps to make a decision. Depending on how the Seng Pui land determines whether it is a yes, no or maybe.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.44.25-3.jpg
  • A final decision has been made as to who will be next year's festival leader.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.44.39.jpg
  • A congratulatory handshake is offered to Mr. Wong who will be in charge of next year's festival.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.45.07-2.jpg
  • Mr. Wong is congratulated by his friends and Associates after he was chosen to lead next year's celebration of the nine Emperor Festival in Penang, Malaysia.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-22.45.12.jpg
  • Here three urns carrying the spirits of one or more of the nine emperors leave the Goddess of Mercy Temple to be taken by carriage to the sea. There they will be put on a boat where they will return to the sea.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-23.01.45.jpg
  • The urns where the spirits of the nine emperors reside are covered in black and taken to the carriage to make the journey back to the sea.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-23.02.01.jpg
  • A procession from the Goddess of Mercy Temple to the ocean to release the boat is led by devotees carrying paper lanterns.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-23.16.18-2.jpg
  • Thousands of worshipers gather to see the urns containing the spirits of the nine emperors.
    matt-brandon-penang.10.23-23.03.16.jpg
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