…. Nine Emperor Gods 九皇爷诞

Legend of the Nine Emperor Gods

九皇大帝的稗史
The Nine Emperor Gods (called “Jiu Wang Ye 九王爷” in Singapore and Malaysia) actually refer to the “Jiu Huang Da Di 九皇大帝” (The Nine Great Emperors) in the Taoist deities system (Taoist Patheon).
九皇大帝（在新加坡及马来西亚是九王爷），其实在道教系统内（道教学）是指九皇大帝。

The birth of the Nine Emperors happened to be on the 9th of September in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, and this day was often celebrated as the festival of “Jiu Huang 九皇” by the Taoists in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

九皇大帝的圣诞是在农历的九月初九日，而在新加坡及马来西亚的人是将当日为一个节日，即庆祝九皇大帝千秋圣诞节日。

The Nine Emperor Gods are very often known as “Bei Dou Jiu Xing 北斗九星” (9 North Star Plough Gods), since they are Gods of the stars or planets. Their mother, “Dou Mu Yuan Jun 斗母元君” (Mother North Star), is also the Mother of Stars.***

九皇大帝是指“北斗九星”，因为是此星座的神灵。 他们的母亲是斗母元君，是此星座的母亲。

The Nine Emperor Gods consist of the following:
九皇大帝有以下各神：
1. “Gou Chen Tian Huang Da Di 勾陈天皇大帝” (Vega Star)
2. “Bei Ji Zhi Wei Da Di 北极紫微大帝” (Polaris Star)
3. The 7 Northern Constellation Stars (called “Bei Dou Qi Xing 北斗七星”):
a. “Tan Lang 贪 狼”
b. “Ju Meng 巨 门”
c. “Lu Chun 禄 存”
d. “Wen Qu 文 曲”
e. “Lian Zhen 廉 贞”
f. “Wu Qu 武 曲”
g. “Po Jun 破 军”

7 Northern Constellation Stars

The origin of the Nine Emperor Gods can be traced back to the Taoist worship of the Northern constellation during Qin and Han Dynasty (北斗崇祀). Actually, the observation and worshipping of stars had already been present among the public before Taoism was founded during Han Dynasty.
九皇大帝始於汉朝及清朝，信奉道教的人民开始膜拜北斗宗祀。其实，他们曾经发现到在汉朝的之前的道教经有人膜拜此星星。

As Taoism was developed during Han Dynasty, it began to absorb this practice of worshipping the stars and began to deitify them as Gods.
当道教在汉朝发展时，人民就开始信奉此神灵的习俗。

Source: Here (link opens in a new window)

*** Legend of Goddess of the North Star Dou Mu Yuan Jun (斗 母 元 君)

Goddess Dou Mu is also known as the Goddess of the North Star. She occupies a similar position to that of Kuan Yin the Buddhist bodhisattva. Goddess Dou Mu is credited with the attainment of all the heavenly mysteries. Only she alone among the Taoist gods was permitted to pass between the region of the moon and the sun. Goddess Dou Mu is the mother of the Nine Emperor Gods.

Dou Mu Yuan Jun

Goddess Dou Mu is the keeper of the book of life and death, and those seeking good health and longevity often pray to her. Devotees of Goddess Dou Mu and the Nine Emperor Gods observe vegetarianism throughout the nine days of the Nine Emperor Gods Festival from the first day to the ninth day of the nine month of the Chinese Lunar Calendar.

Source: HERE