English 
正體中文 
"Tiangchuan Day" is a traditional festival unique to the Hakka people, originating from ancient mythology.
According to legend, a fierce battle between the Water God and the Fire God tore a rift in the sky. To save humanity, Goddess Nüwa forged and used five-colored stones to mend the heavens. In gratitude for her benevolence, the Hakka people commemorate Tiangchuan Day each year by ceasing work—men pause farming, and women set aside weaving—to celebrate with songs and joyful festivities in honor of the heavens and the earth. From a modern perspective, this day symbolizes the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, serving as a reminder to allow the earth to rest and rejuvenate. It embodies the concept of environmental sustainability, ensuring the preservation of ecosystems and the cycle of natural resources.
One of the most significant traditional rituals in ancestral and celestial worship is the Three Offerings Ceremony (Sanxianli), which carries profound meanings of reverence, gratitude, and prayers for blessings. The ceremony unfolds in three stages: First Offering (Chuxian), where tea is presented as a token of sincere respect, symbolizing gratitude for the blessings of the heavens and the earth; Second Offering (Yaxian), where wine is offered to express heartfelt prayers for favorable weather and national prosperity; and Final Offering (Zhongxian), where sacrificial livestock, such as the Three Sacrifices (pig, cow, and goat) or the Five Sacrifices, are dedicated as the highest form of reverence, seeking peace and abundant harvests.
In the Tiangchuan Festival’s heavenly worship ceremony, the Three Offerings Ceremony is one of the most sacred elements. Through the offerings of tea, wine, and sacrificial livestock, the Hakka people express their deep gratitude to Nüwa for mending the heavens and protecting all beings. Additionally, the ritual serves as a prayer for a prosperous and harmonious new year, bringing blessings, peace, and stability to the land and its people.
