TORTOISE BUNS

It is 5 minute past minute now.  It also means that my 9-day vegetarian diet has started.  I am not alone as there will be many Taoists who worship the Nine Emperor Gods who would also adhere to this diet.
Synonymous with the Festival are the pink and yellow coloured tortoises.  When I was much younger, the tortoise buns came in the colour pink only.
In Cantonese it is known as Wu Kuai Pow or Tortoise Bun.  The buns are made in the shape of tortoises to symbolise longevity. There is also a story that the Nine Emperors were the Chinese version of Robin Hood.  They lived during the Qing Dynasty and went about robbing the rich to give to the poor.  Legend has it they were cornered at a seaside by soldiers but was saved by a giant turtle who came to their rescue.  The turtle transported them to safety on Tow Boo Keong Island.  So that could be why the tortoise buns are also made as offerings to the deities during the festival.
REFERENCE: http://tpomalaysia.awardspace.com/index_files/Page441.htm