The Lower Prime Festival (Xia Yuan Jie), on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, is one of the Daoist “Three Prime Festivals.” It is the sacred birthday of the Lower Prime Third Grade Adversity-Resolving Water Official, Cave Yin Great Emperor.

The Water Official Great Emperor governs rivers, lakes, and seas, oversees the movement of all things through water, examines and admonishes human faults and merits, and specializes in dispelling disasters and resolving hardships. On this day, people observe purification, recite scriptures, and repent, praying to the Water Official Great Emperor to remove obstacles and usher in auspiciousness and peace. This article details the belief in the “Three Officials,” the functions of the Water Official Great Emperor, and the traditions and spiritual significance of the Lower Prime Festival.

1. The Three Primes and Three Officials: Bestowing Blessings and Salvation from Heaven, Earth, and Water

• The Three Officials Great Emperors: Daoism venerates the “Heaven, Earth, and Water” Officials, collectively known as the “Three Officials Great Emperors” or “Three Prime Emperors.” They are major deities governing human fortune, misfortune, honor, and disgrace.

• Their Respective Duties:

  • Heaven Official (Upper Prime): The First Grade Purple Tenuity Great Emperor, bestows blessings on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month (Upper Prime Festival/Lantern Festival).

  • Earth Official (Middle Prime): The Second Grade Clear Emptiness Great Emperor, pardons sins on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month (Middle Prime Festival/Hungry Ghost Festival).

  • Water Official (Lower Prime): The Third Grade Cave Yin Great Emperor, resolves adversities on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month (Lower Prime Festival).

• Origin of the Belief: This belief stems from Daoist reverence for the natural forces of heaven, earth, and water. It has been highly revered since Celestial Master Zhang Daoling founded the religion, developing corresponding fasting rituals.

2. The Water Official Great Emperor: Governing the Water Realm, Aiding All Beings

• Sacred Title and Rank: Full title is “Lower Prime Third Grade Adversity-Resolving Water Official, Cave Yin Great Emperor.” He belongs to the Grand Pure realm, transformed from the qi of wind and marsh and the essence of dawn and vastness.

• Primary Powers:

  • Examining and Admonishing Faults and Merits: Descends to the human world on the Lower Prime Festival to investigate and record human good, evil, achievements, and faults.

  • Dispelling Disasters and Resolving Adversities: Resolves the difficulties, disasters, and misfortunes encountered by devotees.

  • Commanding the Water Domain: Governs all immortals and spirits within rivers, lakes, and seas, and regulates the cycles of droughts and floods.

  • Connecting the Worlds of Light and Darkness: His care extends not only to the living but also to the peace of the deceased.

3. Lower Prime Festival Traditions: Worship, Repentance, and Practice

• Core Activities: On this day, Daoist temples often hold ritual assemblies. Devotees can visit to worship, repent their transgressions, and pray for the dispelling of disasters.

• Reciting the Precious Declaration: Devoutly reciting the “Precious Declaration of the Water Official” is considered a vital way to communicate with the divine, accumulate merit, and receive protection.

• Observing Purification and Praying: Following the “Three Prime Fasts” tradition, observing precepts and fasting on this day purifies body and mind, aligning with the period of divine examination.

• Folk Significance: As recorded in The Record of Chinese Customs, folklore also regards this day as “the Water Official’s time for resolving adversities,” with customs like fasting and scripture recitation.

4. Contemporary Significance: Purification of the Heart and Prayers for Peace

The Lower Prime Festival is not only a religious holiday but also carries profound cultural meaning. It reminds people to reflect on their words and deeds (examining faults and merits) and, through ritualized repentance and prayer, to obtain solace for the soul and courage to face difficulties (dispelling disasters). On this auspicious birthday of the Water Official Great Emperor, reciting the Precious Declaration is both an inheritance of traditional faith and a sincere yearning for peace, auspiciousness, and inner tranquility.