One version has it that the emperor Han Wu-ti (157-87 BC), worshipped the god t'ai yi in accordance with his Taoist beliefs. The god was to be worshipped every year on the fifteenth day of the first month. On that night, candles were to be kept lit until the morning of the following day.
一說漢武帝因迷信方士，尊崇「太一神」（北極星），每逢正月十五「祭太一」時必通宵達旦，徹夜通明。