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The Ultimate Guide to the Year of the Dragon 2024: Governance, Military Strategy, and Judicial Decisions

In 2024, the year of the Yang Wood Dragon, three key deities take center stage: the Sovereign Deity, the Marshal Deity, and the Judge Deity. These divine figures hold significant influence, directing the course of events and shaping the destiny of the year. Uncover the intricate details of their roles and the impact they wield.

Administrator

17 July, 2024

The Gods of Control, Military, and Judgment: Who are they and what do they represent in the upcoming Year of the Dragon 2024? As we prepare to welcome the new year, let’s explore the roles of these deities and their significance in Vietnamese culture.

1. Unveiling the Gods: The Controller, the Military Commander, and the Judge

The Controller

Also known as the “civil official,” the Controller is responsible for overseeing all matters on Earth. Each of the twelve gods takes charge for a year, following the cycle of the twelve zodiac animals. Starting with the Year of the Rat and ending with the Year of the Pig.

Additionally, the Controller carries out the orders of the Jade Emperor. Among them, some are known for their kindness, while others are strict and unwavering in their duties.

The Controller, the Military Commander, and the Judge

The Military Commander

The Military Commander, also referred to as the “military official,” shares the responsibility with the Controller to act on behalf of the Jade Emperor, overseeing earthly matters. Together, they ensure that the affairs of the world are in order, each taking charge for a year according to the zodiac cycle.

The Judge

The Judge, on the other hand, is tasked with recording the deeds, both good and bad, of individuals, families, and communities. This role is crucial in maintaining balance and ensuring that justice is served.

2. The Twelve Gods and Their Zodiac Associations

The Twelve Gods and Their Zodiac Associations

Each of the twelve gods is associated with a specific zodiac year, and they are as follows:

Year of the Rat: Chu Wang, the Controller, accompanied by Tian Wen, the Military God, and Li Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Ox: Zhao Wang, the Controller, with the Thirty-Six Merchants as the Military God and Qu Cao as the Judge.
Year of the Tiger: Wei Wang, the Controller, alongside Mu Xing, the Military God, and Xiao Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Rabbit: Zheng Wang, the Controller, with Shi Xing, the Military God, and Liu Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Dragon: So Wang, the Controller, accompanied by Huo Xing, the Military God, and Biao Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Snake: Wu Wang, the Controller, with Tian Hao, the Military God, and Xu Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Horse: Qin Wang, the Controller, alongside Tian Mao, the Military God, and Yu Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Goat: Song Wang, the Controller, with Wu Dao, the Military God, and Lin Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Monkey: Qi Wang, the Controller, accompanied by Wu Miao, the Military God, and Song Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Rooster: Lu Wang, the Controller, with Wu Yue, the Military God, and Ju Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Dog: Yue Wang, the Controller, alongside Tian Ba, the Military God, and Cheng Cao, the Judge.
Year of the Pig: Liu Wang, the Controller, with Wu Wen, the Military God, and Nguyen Cao, the Judge.

3. The Controller of the Year of the Dragon 2024

It is believed that these twelve Controllers take turns visiting Earth each year to oversee the affairs of the world. During the New Year’s Eve celebrations, they conduct an inspection and officially hand over the duties from the old year to the new.

For the upcoming Year of the Dragon 2024, the Controller is So Wang, accompanied by Huo Xing as the Military God and Biao Cao as the Judge.

The Controller of the Year of the Dragon 2024

4. What Color Should Be Offered in Worship for the Year of the Dragon 2024?

According to tradition, during the New Year’s Eve worship, people pray to these gods for blessings and a prosperous year ahead. It is customary to prepare cloth offerings in the color associated with the Controller of that particular year.

Offerings for Worship

Based on the principles of the five elements, the colors for the offerings are as follows: For the Metal element (Canh, Tan), use white; for Wood (Giáp, Ất), use green; for Water (Nhâm, Quý), use dark blue or black; for Fire (Bính, Đinh), use red; and for Earth (Mậu, Kỷ), use yellow.

As the Year of the Dragon 2024 is associated with the Wood element, the color for the offerings, including the horse figure, should be green.

5. Prayer for the Gods of Control, Military, and Judgment for the Year 2024

Prayer for the Gods of Control, Military, and Judgment for the Year 2024

Below is the prayer for the Gods of Control, Military, and Judgment for the upcoming year:

Nam Mo A Di Da Phat (recited three times)

We respectfully bow to:

The Nine Directions of Heaven and the Ten Directions of the Buddhas.
The Future Buddha, Maitreya, the World Honored One.
The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who saves suffering beings.
The Emperor of Heaven and the God of Earth.
The former year’s Controller, Military God, and Judge.
The current year’s Controller, So Wang, the Military God, Huo Xing, and the Judge, Biao Cao.
The Five Directions, the Five Tigers, the Dragon Veins, the Kitchen God, and other deities.

As we stand at the threshold of the new year, bidding farewell to the Year of the Rabbit and welcoming the Year of the Dragon, we offer our prayers.

My name is …, and I was born in the year …., which corresponds to … in the sexagenary cycle. I reside at …, in the ward/commune of …, in the district/town/city of …, in the province/city of …

On this sacred New Year’s Eve, as the old year passes and the new year arrives, we pray for good health, prosperity, and renewal in all aspects of life.

The former Controller and Military God return to the heavenly court, leaving behind their blessings and grace. The new Controller and Military God descend to take their place, embodying compassion and bestowing fortune upon us.

As we usher in the new spring, we, the faithful, sincerely prepare incense, flowers, and offerings to present before the altar. We invite the Buddhas and Saints, as well as the honored deities, to accept our humble offerings and listen to our prayers.

We respectfully invite: the former year’s Controller and Military God, the current year’s Controller, So Wang, the Military God, Huo Xing, and the Judge, Biao Cao, the Five Directions, the Five Tigers, the Dragon Veins, the God of Wealth, the Kitchen God of our household, and all the deities who preside over this land, to descend and enjoy our offerings.

May we be blessed with good health, prosperity, and peace in the coming year. May our family thrive, and may all our endeavors be blessed by Heaven, the Buddhas, and the honored deities.

With reverence, we present our offerings and make our prayers. We humbly request the Nine Directions of Heaven, the Ten Directions of the Buddhas, and all the honored deities to bear witness and bestow their protection upon us.

Nam Mo A Di Da Phat (recited three times, with three bows)

We hope that this information on the Gods of Control, Military, and Judgment for the Year of the Dragon 2024 will be useful to you. May you have a blessed and prosperous new year ahead!