Ritual Announcements

Prayer Texts for Various Sacrifices

Sacrificial Prayer to the Yellow Emperor

Composed by Xu Dong Xu Dong (c. 976–1015) was a prominent Song Dynasty military strategist and polymath, best known for his comprehensive military manual, the Tiger Seal Scripture (Huqianjing).

On this [Year], [Month], [Day], the official [Name and Title] respectfully offers this sacrifice to the spirit of the Yellow Emperor Huangdi: The legendary ancestor of the Chinese people, revered here not just as a progenitor but as the inventor of weapons and the first to use military force to restore order to the world..

O Deity, you were endowed by Heaven with magnificent wisdom. You were the first to organize weapons and warfare original: 兵戎 (bingrong), unfolding the order of the Three Realms original: 三才 (sancai); the cosmic trinity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity and clearing the Nine Limits of the world original: 九極 (jiuji); a poetic term for the furthest reaches of the earthly realm. You refined the essence of peace and prosperity, establishing a legacy that has endured from the deep past. Though my own attempts to follow in your footsteps are meager, I recognize that it is truly by the Sage's great works that we exist.

At this moment, the wills of Heaven and Man have converged in a great upheaval. Both the frontier tribes and the central lands are suffering from calamities. Deep concern weighs upon the dignity of the Imperial Carriage original: 黃屋 (huangwu); literally "yellow roof," a metonym for the Emperor's person and authority. Having announced our intent at the ancestral temple, the order has been given to raise the white banners original: 白旄 (bimao); ancient signal flags made of yak tails, used to symbolize the start of a military expedition for battle.

O Deity, you have long been manifest as the Primal Sage who opened the world in ages past. You drove out and conquered the wicked, spreading the glory of Heaven's work. Through a thousand years, your radiant spirit has never faded. We pray that your divinity will secretly grant us auspicious protection Jiayou: Divine favor or blessing, often used in ritual contexts to ensure the success of a righteous cause to assist our army.