What is prayer？

Prayer is a traditional practice of praying for the fulfillment of wishes to deities, natural forces, or objects of faith through specific rituals or actions. Its core forms and cultural associations are as follows:

1. Basic Definition and Forms
   Prayer refers to the expression of individual or group appeals for wishes such as health, happiness, and safety to supernatural forces (such as gods, Buddhas, ancestors, etc.) through means like prayer, offerings, and rituals.
   Common forms:
   Prayer and Rituals: Religious or folk activities such as chanting scriptures, burning incense, and making sacrifices.
   Amulets and Items: Wearing talismans, consecrated ornaments, etc. to enhance the effect of praying for blessings.
   Combination with the Eight Characters of Birth: In some traditional practices of praying for blessings, the Eight Characters of Birth (the combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches corresponding to the year, month, day, and hour of birth) are used to select auspicious times or adjust one's fortune. For example, wear items with corresponding attributes according to the deficiency of the Five Elements.
2. The Relationship between Prayer and the Eight Characters of Birth
   Relevance: In some traditional Chinese cultures, the Eight Characters of Birth (that is, the combination of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches of the year, month, day, and hour of birth) are used to analyze an individual's fate and serve as a reference for praying for blessings. For example:
   Selecting Auspicious Days: Calculate the dates suitable for praying for blessings or holding important events according to the Eight Characters of Birth.
   Fortune Adjustment: Through the relationship of generation and restriction among the Five Elements in the Eight Characters of Birth, select remedial measures (such as changing one's name, feng shui layout) to improve one's fortune.
3. Examples of Application Scenarios
   Personal Prayer: Pray for academic success before an exam or for recovery when ill.
   Collective Rituals: Group prayer activities such as ancestor worship during the Spring Festival and Dharma assemblies in temples.
   Marriage and Vows: In some traditional marriage customs, swearing with the Eight Characters of Birth symbolizes the binding of fate and emotions.

As a practice that transcends religion and folk customs, prayer not only carries cultural identity but also reflects human awe and hope for the unknown. Its combination with the Eight Characters of Birth is an extended application of traditional numerology in the context of praying for blessings.