In ancient China, poverty problem was a major issue in the country. Due to the lack of medical knowhow, it was not easy to bring up kids who susceptible to major diseases and illnesses. In view of their lives being threatened, many parents approach taoist priests for antidote so that to get rid of so called 'dirty' elements. They believed that every child's health condition was affected by thirty-six gate （三十六闗） and seventy-two force （七十二煞） . As a result, a ritual of crossing the seven-star bridge would be performed.
With the advances in medical technologies today, such rituals have become less and less popular. However, some major temples and sintua still follow the practice. The participants are not only children, but adults and even the elderly are joining in the queue for a common purpose, ie , pursue for good blessings.
Normally, the seven-star bridge is made of wooden or steel with walkway that has a total of seven steps. On the bridge, you could see five different colour talismans or flags, each of which is positioned at five different corners of the bridge. At the front entrance or walk up of the bridge, which is called the gate of dragon, a fire urn is usually placed on the floor. The devotees will need to cross over the fire urn before going up the bridge. At the rear exit or walk down of the bridge, which is called the gate of tiger, all devotees will be considered "safe" from any negative attacks after passing that gate. Under the bridge, there is an oil lamp placed on top of a wash basin which is filled with water to bless the devotees while crossing the bridge. After the devotee has crossed the bridge, the taoist priest will use a spiritual stamp （法印） to mark on the devotee's neck or shirt.
"When Mother Queen of the West forces open the road sealed by the golden lock, everybody jumps out of its danger gate" （王母打開金鎖路，人人跳出凶闗門）, this is a message of blessing that every devotee would like to receive from the deities after crossing the bridge.
In ancient China, poverty problem was a major issue in the country. Due to the lack of medical knowhow, it was not easy to bring up kids who susceptible to major diseases and illnesses. In view of their lives being threatened, many parents approach taoist priests for antidote so that to get rid of so called 'dirty' elements. They believed that every child's health condition was affected by thirty-six gate （三十六闗） and seventy-two force （七十二煞） . As a result, a ritual of crossing the seven-star bridge would be performed.
With the advances in medical technologies today, such rituals have become less and less popular. However, some major temples and sintua still follow the practice. The participants are not only children, but adults and even the elderly are joining in the queue for a common purpose, ie , pursue for good blessings.
Normally, the seven-star bridge is made of wooden or steel with walkway that has a total of seven steps. On the bridge, you could see five different colour talismans or flags, each of which is positioned at five different corners of the bridge. At the front entrance or walk up of the bridge, which is called the gate of dragon, a fire urn is usually placed on the floor. The devotees will need to cross over the fire urn before going up the bridge. At the rear exit or walk down of the bridge, which is called the gate of tiger, all devotees will be considered "safe" from any negative attacks after passing that gate. Under the bridge, there is an oil lamp placed on top of a wash basin which is filled with water to bless the devotees while crossing the bridge. After the devotee has crossed the bridge, the taoist priest will use a spiritual stamp （法印） to mark on the devotee's neck or shirt. 
"When Mother Queen of the West forces open the road sealed by the golden lock, everybody jumps out of its danger gate" （王母打開金鎖路，人人跳出凶闗門）, this is a message of blessing that every devotee would like to receive from the deities after crossing the bridge.
We need more coverage about news like this. Preaching to the choir is one thing and getting the word out is another. I trust those who attended the ceremony invited their friends and family along - the way the spread the message. We all like ceremony but if it goes on for too long without explanation, it becomes a slideshow...by Darren Koh
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