Tai Sui, also known as Grand Duke Jupiter or Grand Commander of the Year is probably one of the most highly respected and feared deity in the Chinese beliefs. It is said that if your Zodiac animal clashes with the Tai Sui or you have inadvertently offended him, bad luck will befall you for the whole year. In order to have a good and peaceful year, you need to pay your respect to the Tai Sui.
There are two diverging explanation on the origin of Tai Sui. According to the scientific school of thought the Tai Sui phenomena is attributable to the movement of Jupiter (hence the name Grand Duke Jupiter), which impacts the magnetic field around us, depending on the year we were born. The energy field of Jupiter is similar to the rays of the Sun, it can be helpful and it can be harmful to human being. This explanation usually bodes well with the western audience already educated with zodiac systems based on stars and planets.
Whereas in the Chinese mythology, the Tai Sui (太岁) is actually a position in the celestial heavens which is in charge of the world’s affairs for a particular year, i.e. determining the annual fortunes of all of us mortal beings. Just as the Jade Emperor is the Ruler of Heaven, the year Tai Sui is the Ruler of Earth. The Taoist calendar is organized unto series of twelve Earthly Branches rotating in accordance to the five elements, resulting in a 60 year cycle. In other words, there are 60 heavenly generals who would rotate to take up this almighty position. A person’s happiness, health, luck and fortune are all under his watchful eye. It actually serves as a reminder to stay away from evil activities, to take good care of health and to perform more caring activities. The year Tai Sui will take note of all the good deeds and misdeeds of everyone.
Besides giving the necessary blessing and acting as a guardian to the mortals, each different Tai Sui is used to mark the Lunar Year. In 2015, General Yang Xian assumes duty to replace General Zhang Ci who was reigned supreme in 2014. General Yang Xian (杨仙), the Yi Wei year Tai Sui was born in China during the Song Dynasty. He was a much respected general who shunned fame and material comforts. Leading a hermit lifestyle, Yan Xian loved to go to the mountains and assimilate with nature and wild animals. He had a sharp sense of precognition and was known to be concise and precise.