Can you get married during the Year of the Tai Sui?

Xiao Mei is getting married, but her future mother-in-law suddenly told her that this year is her “Year of the Tai Sui” and asked if the wedding could still go ahead as planned—this is an awkward situation many people in Taiwan find themselves in.

Simply put, “clashing with the Tai Sui” is a concept in the traditional Chinese calendar regarding conflicts between the Tai Sui and the Chinese zodiac signs; it is a folk belief rather than a legal or physiological restriction.
In practice, there is no legal prohibition against getting married, and many people still go ahead with marriage registration and wedding banquets as usual. If you are concerned about your elders or wish to put your mind at ease, you can follow some common practices: consult a local temple or a folk master you know, choose an auspicious date, perform a simple ritual or “An Tai Sui” ceremony before the wedding, or postpone the wedding date slightly to reassure your family.

Most importantly, both parties should communicate openly, be well-prepared, and focus on their mutual commitments and married life, rather than letting concerns about a single traditional custom dictate their decisions.

Does "Clash with the Tai Sui" Really Affect Marriage? An Analysis of Its Folkloric Origins and Diverse Perspectives in Taiwanese Society

As a Taoist priest who has lived in Taiwan and performed Taoist rituals for over twenty years, I have witnessed the hesitation and difficult decisions faced by different families when dealing with the “Clash with the Grand Duke” during temple ceremonies, family memorial services, and wedding blessings.

Over the years, I’ve handled similar issues for clients from this island and overseas (Malaysia, mainland China, New Zealand, etc.), and I’ve accumulated a wealth of practical observations and case studies. Therefore, I’d like to draw on my personal experience and real-life examples to discuss this frequently asked question with you.

Can you get married during the Year of the Tai Sui?

In folk tradition, “Tai Sui” refers to the celestial deity governing the current year. The phrases “offending Tai Sui” or “clashing with Tai Sui” are generally understood to mean that one’s fortune is likely to be affected that year, and whether it is appropriate to get married thus becomes a key point of discussion.

In folk tradition, some conservatives believe that weddings should be avoided during a “Year of Clashing with the Tai Sui” to ensure peace and stability; others take a more flexible view, emphasizing the importance of the couple’s mindset and preparation, and believe that as long as an auspicious date is chosen and both parties are well-prepared, the wedding can still proceed.

Such divergent views are often seen in discussions between the media and the public, indicating that this issue does not have a single conclusion but is rather the result of the interplay between culture and personal beliefs. [[3]]
In public discourse in Taiwan, some media reports highlight the traditional belief that people born under certain zodiac signs “should not get married” in specific years; however, others suggest ways to counteract this, such as “offset the bad luck” or “bring good fortune,” or adopt a more cautious approach—such as rescheduling the wedding, choosing an auspicious time, or arranging simple blessing ceremonies before or after the wedding to put their minds at ease. The coexistence of these different practices in society reflects the diversity and inclusivity of Taiwanese culture. [[1]]

• Conservative View: Advocating for “avoiding risk,” this perspective holds that encountering the “Year of the Tai Sui” may cause fluctuations in marital or family fortune; therefore, it recommends postponing the wedding or holding it in a more auspicious year. This view still holds influence among some elders and in traditional families.
• Practical/Flexible Perspective: Many young people and urban families place greater emphasis on practical life planning (work, housing, and time management). They may still choose to get married after considering their overall circumstances, and seek psychological reassurance and blessings through prayers or rituals.
• Mitigation and Compromise: In Taiwanese folk tradition, there are practices to mitigate the effects of “Clash with the Tai Sui” through rituals, such as simple prayers, burning incense, obtaining talismans, or incorporating rituals for peace and stability into weddings. The purpose is to harmonize one’s state of mind and the family atmosphere, rather than to guarantee the “complete elimination of all risks.” Some sources also mention that traditional methods such as “offset by joy” are used as a means of mitigation. [[2]]

Here are two anonymous cases I handled in Taiwan: A couple had their life plans all figured out, but since the groom was facing a “Year of Conflict” that year, the elders in his family strongly insisted on postponing the wedding.

I helped facilitate a conversation with the family and arranged a brief “Soothing the Tai Sui” and blessing ceremony. Afterward, both sides felt at ease, the wedding proceeded as planned, and their married life has been stable; Another couple, facing difficulties in coordinating their schedules due to a move and work commitments, chose to hold their wedding during a year of “Clash with the Tai Sui” and arranged for prayers at the temple before and after the ceremony. Both the bride and groom expressed that this gave them a sense of peace of mind.

Cases like these show that rituals and communication often serve to reconcile psychological needs with family expectations.
I often remind my clients that one of the functions of a ceremony is to calm the mind, allowing decisions to be made with less fear. If the couple communicates maturely, assesses their practical circumstances (such as finances, housing, and employment), and respects the feelings of both families, whether the wedding takes place during a year when the bride or groom is in conflict with the Tai Sui is often not a decisive factor.

• If you tend to be conservative: Consider postponing the wedding, choosing a more auspicious date according to the Chinese zodiac, and communicating thoroughly with your elders to ensure everyone is on the same page and feels at ease.
• If you prefer a more practical approach: You can keep the wedding date as is but arrange rituals such as prayer ceremonies or "An Tai Sui" before the wedding, or incorporate a prayer segment into the wedding ceremony to strengthen family support and blessings through these ritualized processes.
• If you are unsure: Consult a Taoist priest or temple officials who are familiar with local customs and have experience, and discuss feasible compromises; at the same time, focusing on nurturing the marriage itself (through communication and mutual support) will have a more practical impact on married life than relying solely on annual astrological factors.

In the more than twenty years I’ve spent in Taiwan performing religious ceremonies and wedding blessings, I’ve learned that the power of belief is very real, but rituals are merely one tool among many. Communicating sincerely, respecting elders and the traditions of both families, and making practical preparations for married life often lead to greater long-term stability and happiness than simply avoiding a particular year.
This is not to deny the value of folk customs, but rather to place them back within the context of daily life and view the relationship between "offending the Tai Sui" and marriage in a way that balances reason and emotion.

Common Methods for Mitigating Misfortune in Taiwan and Practical Advice, Including Rituals to Ward Off the Tai Sui at Temples, Selecting Auspicious Dates, and Key Points for Preparing for Ceremonies

As a male Taoist priest who has lived in Taiwan for over twenty years, I have accumulated considerable practical experience through visits to temples, home consultations, and remote services (including cases in Malaysia, mainland China, and New Zealand) over the years. Below, I’ll share common methods for resolving issues in Taiwan, the process for selecting an auspicious date, and key points for preparing for rituals—based on cases I’ve personally handled and frequently asked questions—to help you make informed and confident decisions when setting a wedding date or performing the “An Tai Sui” ritual.

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Can you get married during the Year of the Tai Sui?

Temple Rituals for the Year of the Tai Sui: Practical Procedures and Precautions

Many devotees choose to visit temples to obtain an amulet of the ruling Tai Sui or a Tai Sui altar to enshrine at home. There is a specific ritual procedure for this, ranging from the invocation and enshrinement to morning and evening offerings. If one is unable to visit the temple regularly to receive the amulet, the temple can perform the invocation on one’s behalf or set up a communal altar.
Every year in the twelfth lunar month, temples such as Xingtian Temple provide altars dedicated to the ruling Tai Sui deity for devotees to take home and enshrine. Such temple practices are quite common in Taiwan and can serve as a formal means of seeking relief [[1]].
During the period of appeasing the Tai Sui, one should pay attention to the orientation of the offering table, burn incense in the morning and evening, keep offerings simple, and replace them regularly. If you plan to “send off the Tai Sui” at the end of the year, it is advisable to participate in the temple’s ceremony for sending off the deities, or to express your gratitude to the Tai Sui on the day of the ceremony.
In some regions, there is a custom of expressing gratitude to the Tai Sui and sending him back on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month, at the same time as sending off the Kitchen God; this is mentioned in both folk customs and temple guidelines.[[2]]。

Choosing an Auspicious Date for a Wedding: Practical Advice

Based on practical experience, there is no definitive answer to the question of whether one can get married during a “Tai Sui” year. In most cases, if both parties are sincere about getting married, they can minimize the risks and psychological stress by following these three steps: First, visit a trusted temple to perform the “An Tai Sui” ritual or obtain a protective talisman; 2. Seek assistance from an experienced date-selection master or temple officials to choose an auspicious date; 3. Perform a brief blessing or thanksgiving ceremony before the wedding. These practices are common and widely accepted in Taiwanese folk customs [[3]].
Here’s a real-life example: I once helped a couple who discovered several months before their wedding that the groom was facing a “Tai Sui” conflict. First, they went to a temple to obtain an amulet for the ruling Tai Sui and arranged a small blessing ceremony. Then, they selected an auspicious date approved by both the temple and the date-selection master.
A simple ritual to give thanks to the gods was performed on the wedding day; the entire event went smoothly, and the guests felt at ease. Cases like this demonstrate that, through formal rituals to dispel misfortune and select an auspicious date, a wedding can proceed as scheduled and conclude successfully.

Key Points for Ceremony Preparation (Practical Checklist)

• Preliminary Information: Please provide both parties’ names, Lunar birth dates, and birth times. If you have a spouse, please provide both of your information to facilitate date selection and consultation.
• Communicate with the temple: Make a reservation in advance and explain your wedding needs (whether you need to invite the Tai Sui, how to arrange the household altars, and the time for sending off the deities).
• Offerings and Sincerity: Prepare offerings such as fruit, tea, and joss paper according to the temple’s instructions; simplicity and respect are sufficient. Many temples can handle the ritual procedures on your behalf, simplifying the process [[1]].
• Schedule: If you plan to perform the “Sending Off the Gods” ritual or the “Thanking the Tai Sui” ceremony at the end of the Lunar New Year, be sure to confirm the temple’s schedule for these ceremonies. It is common practice to coordinate these rituals with the auspicious time for sending off the Kitchen God.[[2]].
• Communication and Expectation Management: Inform family members and the officiant of the ceremony schedule to avoid unnecessary confusion on the wedding day.

Common Misconceptions and Practical Tips

Many people mistakenly believe that “during the Year of the Tai Sui, one should not undertake important matters.” In fact, the advice given by most temples and fortune-tellers focuses primarily on “mitigating negative influences and adjusting one’s mindset,” rather than imposing a blanket ban on major life decisions.
Official religious and folkloric sources also note that “Worshiping the Tai Sui” is a common folk custom and religious practice, suitable for calming the minds of believers and maintaining domestic harmony [[3]].
Practical Tip: Choose a temple or auspicious date consultant with a good reputation and a transparent ritual process, and focus on “practical options” (such as paying respects to the Tai Sui, selecting an auspicious date, and arranging blessings) rather than blindly pursuing elaborate or expensive rituals.
This approach not only respects the ethical principles of traditional ceremonies but also helps ensure the emotional well-being of the newlyweds and their families and ensures that the wedding proceeds smoothly.

My Advice (as a Taoist priest who has served in Taiwan for many years)

Respect for tradition and rational planning are not mutually exclusive. When family members need to be persuaded, sincere communication, presenting concrete plans, and providing professional assessments are more persuasive than simply rejecting their ideas or insisting on one’s own position.
Through my many years of service, I have come to firmly believe that respect, transparency, and practical ceremony planning can both soothe the emotions of the faith community and ensure that the wedding proceeds smoothly.

Q&A

1. Can you get married during the Year of the Tai Sui?
   Short answer: Yes, but public opinion on this varies. In Taiwan, there are two common schools of thought—conservatives recommend avoiding it if possible, as one’s fortune tends to fluctuate significantly during the current year; the other camp believes that marriage is a “joyous occasion,” and if handled properly (such as by selecting an auspicious date or performing rituals to mitigate negative influences), it does not necessarily have adverse effects; some even believe that one’s zodiac year may bring about a turning point or a surge of positive energy. [[1]] [[3]]
   • Key Points:The decision to get married is often based primarily on the couple’s wishes, family customs, and the selection of an auspicious date.
2. Will getting married during the "Chong Ta Sui" year bring bad luck or affect the marriage?
   Short answer: Not necessarily. According to traditional belief, the year of "offending the Tai Sui" is marked by frequent changes, which may increase instability; however, in practice, since weddings are joyous occasions, many elders and folk customs experts focus primarily on the couple, the wedding ceremony, and the selection of an auspicious date, believing this can minimize any adverse effects. [[1]] [[3]]
   • Reminder:If you're concerned about the influence of the current zodiac year, you can mitigate it through traditional customs or choose an auspicious date; as a result, many people still go ahead with their weddings as planned.
3. What are some common solutions or practical approaches that can be used as a reference?
   Short answer: Common practices include choosing an auspicious date, consulting temples or experienced elders versed in folk traditions or fortune-tellers, and arranging appropriate ancestral rites or blessing ceremonies before or after the wedding. Many fortune-tellers also recommend using date-selection methods to schedule important ceremonies on auspicious dates and times to alleviate concerns. [[2]] [[3]]
   • Recommended Practical Steps:
     • Communicate with both sets of parents, respecting family customs and emotional needs.
     • If you value tradition, you can consult elders who are knowledgeable about folk customs or the temple authorities for advice or to select an auspicious date.
     • Focus the wedding on the couple’s relationship and their future life plans, and make thorough preparations for the ceremony with peace of mind as the top priority.
4. In practice, if one of the two parties is facing a "Tai Sui" conflict, what is the most reasonable way to make a decision?
   Short answer: It is common practice to prioritize the couple’s wishes while taking family opinions into account. If both sides have concerns, a compromise can be reached (such as choosing an auspicious date, simplifying the ceremony, or organizing a blessing ceremony). Most families base their decisions on whether the matter will affect the couple’s happiness or family harmony. [[3]] [[1]]
   • Guiding Principles:Take the new couple’s wishes seriously, respect the advice of their elders, and address their concerns with practical solutions.

Summary

Facing the "Tai Sui" is not, in and of itself, an absolute obstacle to marriage. In Taiwan, many people address their concerns by paying respects to the Tai Sui, obtaining amulets for good fortune, choosing an auspicious date according to the lunar calendar, or seeking advice from temple officials and elders.
More importantly, both sides must communicate, share practical responsibilities, and respect each other’s beliefs—viewing faith as a source of peace of mind rather than the sole determining factor.
If you have concerns or reservations, you can also incorporate the opinions of your elders and both families during the planning process, and build family consensus based on shared values. We wish you all the best in making a marriage choice that brings peace of mind to both sides.