The eighth day of the first lunar month is also known as the Festival of the Grain God or the Star-Following Festival.
During the Spring and Autumn Period, ancient Chinese used the orbital patterns of Jupiter to mark the years. Since Jupiter completes one full revolution around the celestial sphere in 11.86 years—close to twelve years—the ancients divided the celestial sphere into twelve sections. Each year, Jupiter traversed one section, each assigned a specific name. Thus, Jupiter was called the "Year Star."Following the development of Taoism in China, influenced by the "Jie Nian" calendar system, it was believed that each year had a presiding deity of great authority, known as the Tai Sui. Following the sequence of the Twelve Earthly Branches, this deity cycled every twelve years. This belief spread among the common people, evolving from the saying "One must not disturb the earth under the Tai Sui" into the concept of the Tai Sui as the master of the land and, consequently, the ruler of agricultural abundance or scarcity. Thus, on the Grain Festival, it became customary to perform star worship rituals.
Additionally, Chinese folklore marks the eighth day of the first lunar month as the day when all stars descend to earth. People make small lamps to burn in worship, a practice called "Shunxing" (Following the Stars), also known as "Jixing" (Star Worship) or "Jiexing" (Welcoming the Stars).
Residents of Hunan and Hubei provinces regard the eighth day as the "Guday" (Grains Day), while Beijing residents traditionally visit the Baiyun Temple to pay homage to the Star Gods. Over time, the purpose of worship expanded from safeguarding agricultural harvests to protecting the well-being and blessings of all people.According to old customs, on this day monks and Taoist priests would present auspicious scrolls to nearby households; in return, families would make offerings at temples and shrines on the eighth day. Monks and priests would then reciprocate with fruit cakes. To this day, some Buddhists on Mount Wutai still make offerings on the eighth day to seek protection.
In Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, and other regions, the pronunciation of the character for "eighth" (八) led to the eighth day of the first lunar month being called the Festival of the Eight Immortals.
The Eight Immortals—Li Tieguai, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, Han Xiangzi, and Cao Guojiu—are legendary figures well-known throughout folk tales. Legend holds that these eight immortals defied tyranny, shunned worldly wealth, and frequently descended among the people to alleviate suffering and aid the impoverished, earning deep affection from the laboring masses.On this day, it is customary for people to prepare fine wine, delicacies, and fresh fruits to offer sacrifices to these benevolent immortals.
Every year on the eighth day of the first lunar month, people venture out to visit temple fairs or bustling markets, enjoying outdoor activities. There is a saying: "Visiting the Eight Immortals dispels a hundred ailments."The temple fair on this day is spectacular, featuring traditional performances like stilt-walking, land-boat racing, acrobatic pole climbing, whip-cracking, and dragon lantern dances. The lively, vibrant atmosphere is dazzling, embodying people's hopeful aspirations for the new year.