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The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, also known as Kitchen Gods' Day, is an occasion for families to express gratitude and convey their wishes, hoping for divine acceptance. Consequently, families diligently prepare offerings and conduct rituals to honor Ong Cong and Ong Tao. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to perform the most traditional rituals for Ong Cong and Ong Tao on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
Guidelines on how to perform the rituals to honor Ong Cong and Ong Tao on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
Legend has it that Kitchen Gods are the deities overseeing household kitchens, thus aware of all happenings, good and bad. To pray for blessings in the new year, people conduct elaborate rituals to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods. What offerings are necessary for the Kitchen Gods' ritual on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month? Let's find out together with Mytour.
Origin and significance of Kitchen Gods' Day
Kitchen Gods' Day originates from the legend of the couple Thi Nhi and Trong Cao. Despite their deep affection, they remained childless. Over time, conflicts arose, leading to Trong Cao's violence towards Thi Nhi, prompting her to leave for a new land where she met Pham Lang. They fell in love and married. Later, Trong Cao, repentant, searched for Thi Nhi and found her. Feeling guilty, Thi Nhi hid Trong Cao under straw in the kitchen. That night, Pham Lang inadvertently set the kitchen on fire while collecting ash for farming. Thi Nhi sacrificed herself to save her husband, and Pham Lang, out of remorse, followed suit, leading to all three perishing in the fire. Touched by their sacrifice, the Jade Emperor appointed them as the Kitchen Gods to oversee kitchens and households, hidden from mortal eyes.
Since then, every 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the Kitchen Gods ascend to heaven to report on each household's deeds throughout the year. The tradition of bidding farewell to the Kitchen Gods originated from this event and has been preserved until today.
Following the Kitchen Gods' ritual, families prepare for the year-end reunion feast. Besides traditional dishes, performing the year-end ritual is crucial for smooth proceedings. Refer to the year-end ritual guide for a seamless celebration.
A crucial moment during the New Year's Eve is the ritual of New Year's worship. The content of this ceremonial text includes comprehensive details to seek blessings from the heavens and the Buddha, bringing luck to the entire family in the new year.
