The Lantern Festival, held on the night of the first full moon, is also regarded as a day of love and relationships. While it is believed that the fifteenth day after the Chinese New Year is special because the deities are busy granting wishes for the new year, Chinese legend tells of an old man on the moon busily matching up future couples on this special night.

Yue Lao, the ultimate matchmaker, looks up all the Chinese baby girls and baby boys and decrees who will marry who in the future. On the first full moon of the Chinese new year, Yue Lao prescribes pairs of soul mates by tying a magical, invisible red silken thread around the ankles of the pair. Another version of the story states that Yue Lao connects the names of the couple listed on his book by pasting red thread to connect the two names. A translation of a poem about Yue Lao’s magical red thread goes:

“An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet,

regardless of time, place, or circumstance.

The thread may stretch or tangle,

but it will never break.”

Yue Lao would often be predicted as an old man with a long flowing beard. It is said that he is often depicted standing up so that he will be more energetic in doing his duties. He is often carrying a staff with an orb or two. Sometimes the staff is also decked with other lucky items such as coins. In his other hand, he is often carrying a scroll tied with red thread. This scroll contains the names of all his prescribed marriage matches. In other depictions, the Moon Minister of Marriage holds a red sash, sometimes bundles of red thread, to remind of how couples are connected for life.

In older Chinese times, sailors and business men would visit Yue Lao’s temple and pray for a relationship or a happy marriage. Most of the devotees whose wishes were granted would come back to the temple.

Even today, despite the growing unacceptance for matchmaking, people who want to find true love come to Yu Lao’s temples. Believers who have found happy relationships or gotten married would come back to Yue Lao’s temple and offer wedding cakes.

There are temples dedicated to Yu Lao. Devotees would offer prayers to the Moon Minister of Marriage on his birthday, believed to be the 15th day of the 8th lunar month (yes, that is also the day of the Moon Festival).

Yue Lao is also the deity for happiness and family ties.

Source by RR Ritchey