The ninth day of the Chinese New Year is traditionally the birthday of the Jade Emperor of the Heaven (Tian Gong Dan).  This day is especially important to the Hokkiens, even more important than the first day of the Chinese New Year.

On the midnight of the eighth day of the Chinese New Year, Hokkiens will offer thanks to the Jade Emperor of Heaven.  In the morning of his birthday (traditionally anytime from midnight to 7am), households would set up an altar table with 3 layers: one top (containing of six vegetables (六斋), noodles, fruits, cakes, tang yuan, vegetable bowls, and unripe betel, all decorated with red paper) and two lower levels (containing the five sacrifices (五牲) and wines) to honour the deities below the Jade Emperor. The household from the eldest to the youngest then kneels three times and kowtows nine times to pay obeisance and wish him a long life.

Incense, tea, fruit, roasted meat products, and gold paper is served as a customary protocol for paying respect.

 

天公诞即正月初九，是天界最高神祇玉皇大帝的诞辰，俗称“天公诞”。这天对福建人极其重要。

祭拜天公的时间约从正月初九的凌晨十二点之间开始，一直到隔天清晨七点前都可以。家家户户都在正厅前面，放置八仙桌，搭起祭坛，供桌上备清素斋品为主，下桌摆的五牲荤食是献给天宫的部属神明。而顶桌除了斋品外，还要鲜花、蜡烛各一对。并且还要以红龟粿、发糕来敬奉。祭拜时由家中的长者先上香行三跪九叩大礼，再依长幼顺序分别上香。

香，茶叶，水果，烧猪及烧肉制品，金纸是不可少的贡品。