# Tai Sui

Tai Sui is a Chinese name for stars directly opposite the planet Jupiter (木星 Mùxīng) in its roughly 12-year orbital cycle. Personified as deities, they are important features of Chinese astrology, Feng Shui, Taoism, and to a lesser extent Chinese Buddhism.
The 12 signs of the Chinese zodiac were based on divisions of the Jovian orbital cycle, rather than as in the western zodiac—the apparent motion of the sun relative to the celestial sphere. The star thought to oppose Jupiter during each year of the cycle was personified as a heavenly general [zh] or cycle god and was believed to help the Jade Emperor control the mortal world.
By the Warring States period, the Tai Sui had become gods in the popular astrology; but no written records have been found of their worship prior to the Han dynasty. The earliest such record is found in Wang Chong's first-century Lunheng. There are several legends related to the Tai Sui, usually about people suffering disaster after disrespecting or ignoring them.
Their number later quintupled to sixty based on combinations of the twelve divisions (reckoned using the earthly stems) with the five Chinese elements of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Each of the gods' features and attributes signifies the well-being or mishap of that year. For example, if the Tai Sui of a year holds a pen, this signifies political unrest for that particular year. On the other hand, a Tai Sui of the year who holds a spear or sword, signifies a need to work hard and excel in that year.
Yin Jiao, leader of the sixty Taisui Xingjun (太歲星君) gods, doesn't govern any specific year in the 60-year cycle, and all of them were governed by one of the 60 subordinate Taisui. Yin Jiao in this context is called Taisui Tongling Yin Yuanshuai (太歲統領殷元帥, lit. Commander of the Tai Sui, General Yin). In Japan and Japanese folklore, however, "Taisui Xingjun" is just one singular god.

## Practices

In Taoism, those whose birth signs or other features clash with the Tai Sui of the year face misfortunes or disturbances for that year. This applies in each year to people born under four of the twelve animal zodiac signs. In 2017 for example, it applied to people born in the years of the rat, rabbit, horse and rooster. In Taiwan, as the lunar year begins, people go to temples to seek peace and protection and drive away bad influences. This ceremony is known as "An Tai Sui" (安太歲) or pacifying the Tai Sui of the Year. In return, worshipers will receive a protective talisman from the temple which will give the person one year's spiritual protection. This tradition is also practiced by other overseas Chinese communities.
In Chinese culture it has been traditionally considered taboo to build a house facing Taisui (or in the directly opposite direction) in the corresponding year of the Chinese zodiac. A similar belief is associated with moving houses and the line drawn through the old and new dwellings.
| No./ Order/ Year | Yang/ Yin Years (30 Yang + 30 Yin Years) | Secret Name Talisman of the Tai Sui (the Balance and Order of the current Yang/ Yin Years) | Secret Name Talisman of the Tai Sui (the Balance and Order of the current Yang/ Yin Years) | Sexagenary Year of Tài-Suì (Star God-Deity Presiding Over The Year) | Sexagenary Year of Tài-Suì (Star God-Deity Presiding Over The Year) | Sexagenary Year of Tài-Suì (Star God-Deity Presiding Over The Year) | Name of Dà-Jiāng-Jūn (Heavenly Guardian General) | Name of Dà-Jiāng-Jūn (Heavenly Guardian General) | Associations (Five Elements) | AD | BC | Current Cycle |
| No./ Order/ Year | Yang/ Yin Years (30 Yang + 30 Yin Years) | Yin Talismans – Name used those born in Yang Years (in black) | Yang Talismans – Name used those born in Yin Years (in red) | Ten Heavenly Stem | Twelve Earthly Branch (Chinese Zodiac) | Heavenly Stem-Earthly Branch Combination (Mandarin Pinyin) | Mandarin Chinese | Pinyin (Surname – Birth Name) | Associations (Five Elements) | AD | BC | Current Cycle |
| 1 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 子 (Rat) | 甲子太歲 Jiǎ-Zǐ Tài-Suì | 金辨大將軍 | Jīn Biàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Rat | 4 | 57 | 1984 |
| 2 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 丑 (Ox) | 乙丑太歲 Yǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì | 陳材大將軍 | Chén Cái Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Ox | 5 | 56 | 1985 |
| 3 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 寅 (Tiger) | 丙寅太歲 Bǐng-Yín Tài-Suì | 耿章大將軍 | Gěng Zhāng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Tiger | 6 | 55 | 1986 |
| 4 | 陰 Yin | | | 丁 | 卯 (Rabbit) | 丁卯太歲 Dīng-Mǎo Tài-Suì | 沈興大將軍 | Shěn Xīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Rabbit | 7 | 54 | 1987 |
| 5 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 辰 (Dragon) | 戊辰太歲 Wù-Chén Tài-Suì | 趙達大將軍 | Zhào Dá Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Dragon | 8 | 53 | 1988 |
| 6 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 巳 (Snake) | 己巳太歲 Jǐ-Sì Tài-Suì | 郭燦大將軍 | Guō Càn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Snake | 9 | 52 | 1989 |
| 7 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 午 (Horse) | 庚午太歲 Gēng-Wǔ Tài-Suì | 王濟大將軍 | Wáng Jì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Horse | 10 | 51 | 1990 |
| 8 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 未 (Goat) | 辛未太歲 Xīn-Wèi Tài-Suì | 李素大將軍 | Lǐ Sù Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Goat | 11 | 50 | 1991 |
| 9 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 申 (Monkey) | 壬申太歲 Rén-Shēn Tài-Suì | 劉旺大將軍 | Liú Wàng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Monkey | 12 | 49 | 1992 |
| 10 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 酉 (Rooster) | 癸酉太歲 Guǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì | 康志大將軍 | Kāng Zhì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Rooster | 13 | 48 | 1993 |
| 11 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 戌 (Dog) | 甲戌太歲 Jiǎ-Xū Tài-Suì | 施廣大將軍 | Shī Guǎng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Dog | 14 | 47 | 1994 |
| 12 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 亥 (Pig) | 乙亥太歲 Yǐ-Hài Tài-Suì | 任保大將軍 | Rèn Bǎo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Pig | 15 | 46 | 1995 |
| 13 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 子 (Rat) | 丙子太歲 Bǐng-Zǐ Tài-Suì | 郭嘉大將軍 | Guō Jiā Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Rat | 16 | 45 | 1996 |
| 14 | 陰 Yin | | | 丁 | 丑 (Ox) | 丁丑太歲 Dīng-Chǒu Tài-Suì | 汪文大將軍 | Wāng Wén Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Ox | 17 | 44 | 1997 |
| 15 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 寅 (Tiger) | 戊寅太歲 Wù-Yín Tài-Suì | 魯先大將軍 | Lǔ Xiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Tiger | 18 | 43 | 1998 |
| 16 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 卯 (Rabbit) | 己卯太歲 Jǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì | 龍仲大將軍 | Lóng Zhòng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Rabbit | 19 | 42 | 1999 |
| 17 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 辰 (Dragon) | 庚辰太歲 Gēng-Chén Tài-Suì | 董德大將軍 | Dǒng Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Dragon | 20 | 41 | 2000 |
| 18 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 巳 (Snake) | 辛巳太歲 Xīn-Sì Tài-Suì | 鄭但大將軍 | Zhèng Dàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Snake | 21 | 40 | 2001 |
| 19 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 午 (Horse) | 壬午太歲 Rén-Wǔ Tài-Suì | 陸明大將軍 | Lù Míng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Horse | 22 | 39 | 2002 |
| 20 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 未 (Goat) | 癸未太歲 Guǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì | 魏仁大將軍 | Wèi Rén Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Goat | 23 | 38 | 2003 |
| 21 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 申 (Monkey) | 甲申太歲 Jiǎ-Shēn Tài-Suì | 方傑大將軍 | Fāng Jié Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Monkey | 24 | 37 | 2004 |
| 22 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 酉 (Rooster) | 乙酉太歲 Yǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì | 蔣崇大將軍 | Jiǎng Chóng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Rooster | 25 | 36 | 2005 |
| 23 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 戌 (Dog) | 丙戌太歲 Bǐng-Xū Tài-Suì | 白敏大將軍 | Bái Mǐn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Dog | 26 | 35 | 2006 |
| 24 | 陰 Yin | | | 丁 | 亥 (Pig) | 丁亥太歲 Dīng-Hài Tài-Suì | 封濟大將軍 | Fēng Jì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Pig | 27 | 34 | 2007 |
| 25 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 子 (Rat) | 戊子太歲 Wù-Zǐ Tài-Suì | 鄒鐺大將軍 | Zōu Dāng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Rat | 28 | 33 | 2008 |
| 26 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 丑 (Ox) | 己丑太歲 Jǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì | 傅佑大將軍 | Fù Yòu Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Ox | 29 | 32 | 2009 |
| 27 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 寅 (Tiger) | 庚寅太歲 Gēng-Yín Tài-Suì | 鄔桓大將軍 | Wū Huán Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Tiger | 30 | 31 | 2010 |
| 28 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 卯 (Rabbit) | 辛卯太歲 Xīn-Mǎo Tài-Suì | 范寧大將軍 | Fàn Níng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Rabbit | 31 | 30 | 2011 |
| 29 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 辰 (Dragon) | 壬辰太歲 Rén-Chén Tài-Suì | 彭泰大將軍 | Péng Tài Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Dragon | 32 | 29 | 2012 |
| 30 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 巳 (Snake) | 癸巳太歲 Guǐ-Sì Tài-Suì | 徐單大將軍 | Xú Dān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Snake | 33 | 28 | 2013 |
| 31 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 午 (Horse) | 甲午太歲 Jiǎ-Wǔ Tài-Suì | 章詞大將軍 | Zhang Cí Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Horse | 34 | 27 | 2014 |
| 32 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 未 (Goat) | 乙未太歲 Yǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì | 楊仙大將軍 | Yáng Xiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Goat | 35 | 26 | 2015 |
| 33 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 申 (Monkey) | 丙申太歲 Bǐng-Shēn Tài-Suì | 管仲大將軍 | Guǎn Zhòng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Monkey | 36 | 25 | 2016 |
| 34 | 陰 Yin | | Yang Year | 丁 | 酉 (Rooster) | 丁酉太歲 Dīng-Yǒu Tài-Suì | 唐傑大將軍 | Táng Jié Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Rooster | 37 | 24 | 2017 |
| 35 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 戌 (Dog) | 戊戌太歲 Wù-Xū Tài-Suì | 姜武大將軍 | Jiāng Wǔ Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Dog | 38 | 23 | 2018 |
| 36 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 亥 (Pig) | 己亥太歲 Jǐ-Hài Tài-Suì | 謝太大將軍 | Xiè Tài Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Pig | 39 | 22 | 2019 |
| 37 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 子 (Rat) | 庚子太歲 Gēng-Zǐ Tài-Suì | 盧秘大將軍 | Lú Bì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Rat | 40 | 21 | 2020 |
| 38 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 丑 (Ox) | 辛丑太歲 Xīn-Chǒu Tài-Suì | 楊信大將軍 | Yáng Xìn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Ox | 41 | 20 | 2021 |
| 39 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 寅 (Tiger) | 壬寅太歲 Rén-Yín Tài-Suì | 賀諤大將軍 | Hè È Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Tiger | 42 | 19 | 2022 |
| 40 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 卯 (Rabbit) | 癸卯太歲 Guǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì | 皮時大將軍 | Pí Shí Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Rabbit | 43 | 18 | 2023 |
| 41 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 辰 (Dragon) | 甲辰太歲 Jiǎ-Chén Tài-Suì | 李誠大將軍 | Lǐ Chéng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Dragon | 44 | 17 | 2024 |
| 42 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 巳 (Snake) | 乙巳太歲 Yǐ-Sì Tài-Suì | 吳遂大將軍 | Wú Suì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Snake | 45 | 16 | 2025 |
| 43 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 午 (Horse) | 丙午太歲 Bǐng-Wǔ Tài-Suì | 文哲大將軍 | Wén Zhé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Horse | 46 | 15 | 2026 |
| 44 | 陰 Yin | | | 丁 | 未 (Goat) | 丁未太歲 Dīng-Wèi Tài-Suì | 繆丙大將軍 | Miào Bǐng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Goat | 47 | 14 | 2027 |
| 45 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 申 (Monkey) | 戊申太歲 Wù-Shēn Tài-Suì | 徐浩大將軍 | Xú Hào Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Monkey | 48 | 13 | 2028 |
| 46 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 酉 (Rooster) | 己酉太歲 Jǐ-Yǒu Tài-Suì | 程寶大將軍 | Chéng Bǎo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Rooster | 49 | 12 | 2029 |
| 47 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 戌 (Dog) | 庚戌太歲 Gēng-Xū Tài-Suì | 倪秘大將軍 | Ní Bì Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Dog | 50 | 11 | 2030 |
| 48 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 亥 (Pig) | 辛亥太歲 Xīn-Hài Tài-Suì | 葉堅大將軍 | Yè Jiān Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Pig | 51 | 10 | 2031 |
| 49 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 子 (Rat) | 壬子太歲 Rén-Zǐ Tài-Suì | 丘德大將軍 | Qiū Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Rat | 52 | 9 | 2032 |
| 50 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 丑 (Ox) | 癸丑太歲 Guǐ-Chǒu Tài-Suì | 朱得大將軍 | Zhū Dé Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Ox | 53 | 8 | 2033 |
| 51 | 陽 Yang | | | 甲 | 寅 (Tiger) | 甲寅太歲 Jiǎ-Yín Tài-Suì | 張朝大將軍 | Zhāng Cháo Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Wood Tiger | 54 | 7 | 2034 |
| 52 | 陰 Yin | | | 乙 | 卯 (Rabbit) | 乙卯太歲 Yǐ-Mǎo Tài-Suì | 萬清大將軍 | Wàn Qīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Wood Rabbit | 55 | 6 | 2035 |
| 53 | 陽 Yang | | | 丙 | 辰 (Dragon) | 丙辰太歲 Bǐng-Chén Tài-Suì | 辛亞大將軍 | Xīn Yà Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Fire Dragon | 56 | 5 | 2036 |
| 54 | 陰 Yin | | | 丁 | 巳 (Snake) | 丁巳太歲 Dīng-Sì Tài-Suì | 楊彥大將軍 | Yáng Yàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Fire Snake | 57 | 4 | 2037 |
| 55 | 陽 Yang | | | 戊 | 午 (Horse) | 戊午太歲 Wù-Wǔ Tài-Suì | 黎卿大將軍 | Lí Qīng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Earth Horse | 58 | 3 | 2038 |
| 56 | 陰 Yin | | | 己 | 未 (Goat) | 己未太歲 Jǐ-Wèi Tài-Suì | 傅黨大將軍 | Fù Dǎng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Earth Goat | 59 | 2 | 2039 |
| 57 | 陽 Yang | | | 庚 | 申 (Monkey) | 庚申太歲 Gēng-Shēn Tài-Suì | 毛梓大將軍 | Máo Zǐ Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Metal Monkey | 60 | 1 | 2040 |
| 58 | 陰 Yin | | | 辛 | 酉 (Rooster) | 辛酉太歲 Xīn-Yǒu Tài-Suì | 石政大將軍 | Shí Zhèng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Metal Rooster | 1 | 60 | 2041 |
| 59 | 陽 Yang | | | 壬 | 戌 (Dog) | 壬戌太歲 Rén-Xū Tài-Suì | 洪充大將軍 | Hóng Chōng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yang Water Dog | 2 | 59 | 2042 |
| 60 | 陰 Yin | | | 癸 | 亥 (Pig) | 癸亥太歲 Guǐ-Hài Tài-Suì | 虞程大將軍 | Yú Chéng Dà-Jiāng-Jūn | Yin Water Pig | 3 | 58 | 2043 |
Images of the Deities of the 60 Heavenly General of Tai Sui in correspondence to the previous detailed table above (refer to the Year number to Tai Sui and Heavenly General, e.g.: Year 1 – 甲子太歲 Jiǎ-Zǐ Tài-Suì 金辨大將軍 Jīn Biàn Dà-Jiāng-Jūn).
| | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui | 60 Heavenly Generals of Tai Sui |
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲子太歲 金辨大將軍 | 乙丑太歲 陳材大將軍 | 丙寅太歲 耿章大將軍 | 丁卯太歲 沈興大將軍 | 戊辰太歲 趙達大將軍 | 己巳太歲 郭燦大將軍 | 庚午太歲 王濟大將軍 | 辛未太歲 李素大將軍 | 壬申太歲 劉旺大將軍 | 癸酉太歲 康志大將軍 |
| Year | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲戌太歲 施廣大將軍 | 乙亥太歲 任保大將軍 | 丙子太歲 郭嘉大將軍 | 丁丑太歲 汪文大將軍 | 戊寅太歲 魯先大將軍 | 己卯太歲 龍仲大將軍 | 庚辰太歲 董德大將軍 | 辛巳太歲 鄭但大將軍 | 壬午太歲 陸明大將軍 | 癸未太歲 魏仁大將軍 |
| Year | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲申太歲 方傑大將軍 | 乙酉太歲 蔣崇大將軍 | 丙戌太歲 白敏大將軍 | 丁亥太歲 封濟大將軍 | 戊子太歲 鄒鐺大將軍 | 己丑太歲 傅佑大將軍 | 庚寅太歲 鄔桓大將軍 | 辛卯太歲 范寧大將軍 | 壬辰太歲 彭泰大將軍 | 癸巳太歲 徐單大將軍 |
| Year | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲午太歲 章詞大將軍 | 乙未太歲 楊仙大將軍 | 丙申太歲 管仲大將軍 | 丁酉太歲 唐傑大將軍 | 戊戌太歲 姜武大將軍 | 己亥太歲 謝太大將軍 | 庚子太歲 盧秘大將軍 | 辛丑太歲 楊信大將軍 | 壬寅太歲 賀諤大將軍 | 癸卯太歲 皮時大將軍 |
| Year | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲辰太歲 李誠大將軍 | 乙巳太歲 吳遂大將軍 | 丙午太歲 文哲大將軍 | 丁未太歲 繆丙大將軍 | 戊申太歲 徐浩大將軍 | 己酉太歲 程寶大將軍 | 庚戌太歲 倪秘大將軍 | 辛亥太歲 葉堅大將軍 | 壬子太歲 丘德大將軍 | 癸丑太歲 朱得大將軍 |
| Year | 51 | 52 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |
| Name of Tai Sui (太歲)/ Name of Heavenly General (大將軍) | 甲寅太歲 張朝大將軍 | 乙卯太歲 萬清大將軍 | 丙辰太歲 辛亞大將軍 | 丁巳太歲 楊彥大將軍 | 戊午太歲 黎卿大將軍 | 己未太歲 傅黨大將軍 | 庚申太歲 毛梓大將軍 | 辛酉太歲 石政大將軍 | 壬戌太歲 洪充大將軍 | 癸亥太歲 虞程大將軍 |