What are Taoist rituals (zhaijiao)? How do participants prepare?

Zhaijiao are Taoist ceremonies for worshiping deities, praying for blessings, and dispelling calamities. "Zhai" means cleansing body and mind; "jiao" means offering and prayer. Common rituals include: blessing ceremonies, salvation ceremonies, earth pacification rituals, Big Dipper worship, and memorial presentations. A formal ritual requires a high-ranking Taoist master (gaogong) supported by scripture chanters and musicians, following strict procedures.

In modern context, zhaijiao embodies the Chinese worldview of "unity of Heaven and humanity." It is not just religious activity but also cultural tradition and community cohesion. Many traditional temple fairs still preserve these ritual customs.