Jade Emperor

The Jade Emperor (Chinese: Yù Huáng, 玉皇; pinyin: Yù Huáng), also known as the Heavenly Grandfather (Chinese: Tiāngōng, 天公) or the Great Emperor of Jade (Chinese: Yù Dà Huáng Dì, 玉大皇帝), is one of the most revered deities in the Chinese pantheon. He is regarded as the ruler of heaven and all realms of existence, including that of humans. The Jade Emperor is a central figure in Chinese mythology and is worshipped in many forms of Chinese folk religion, Taoism, and Chinese Buddhism. The name "Jade Emperor" is a translation of the Chinese term Yù Huáng, where "Yù" (玉) means "jade" and "Huáng" (皇) means "emperor" or "sovereign." In Vietnamese, he is known as Ngọc Hoàng (玉皇), and in Japanese, he is referred to as Gyokukō (玉皇). The Jade Emperor is often depicted as a benevolent ruler who oversees the affairs of the cosmos and is associated with the highest moral and ethical standards. His worship involves various rituals and festivals, with the most prominent being the Jade Emperor's Birthday, celebrated on the ninth day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar.