Jade Emperor

Supreme Ruler of Heaven

Highest god of the celestial court who commands the pantheon and the seasons.

The Jade Emperor is the supreme ruler of heaven in Chinese folk religion. Rising from early worship of the supreme sky god, his mature form took shape in Daoist scripture and popular drama, where he commands the celestial bureaucracy, judges the seasons and dispatches the gods. His birthday on the ninth day of the first month is celebrated as the “birthday of heaven.”