The Birthday of Guan gong

Chinese Folk Customs--The Birthday of Guan gong

The thirteenth day of the fifth lunar month is the birthday of Guan Gong. Local authorities offer sacrifices to him in the temple by the Zhou Tai Bao Bridge. People start buying meat and putting on performances before the 13^th. Tens of thousands of bright lamps are lit. People worship with sincere prayers. It is also said that the thirteenth day of the ninth lunar month is the day when Guan Gong was apotheosized. The ceremonies on these two days are identical. It is popularly believed that if it rains on these days, it happens because Guan Gong is wetting the whetstone on which he sharpens his long-hilt saber. The rain presages the well-being of the people.

中国民间风俗--关公诞

夏历五月十三日为关帝生日，官府在周太保桥那儿的庙祭祀关帝。十三日以前民间已经开始为祭祀而屠宰牲口演戏，万盏彩灯光华灿烂，人们谨慎小心地祭拜祈祷，还相传九月十三日是关公成为神的日子，那天的仪式和五月十三日完全相同，民间认为这两天里下的雨是关公磨战刀的雨水，预兆人们生活平安。