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According to Vietnam's age-old customs, every household celebrates the ritual of bidding farewell to Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. However, few are aware of who Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao are, their origins, and the significance of their tale. Let's delve into this article by Team PasGo to uncover the legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao's journey to the heavens!
1. The Origin of the Legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao
The legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao is intertwined with the myth of 'two gentlemen and a lady'
The Legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao Ascending to the Heavens, also known as the Tale of the Kitchen Gods, is a touching narrative of spousal devotion.
So, who are Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao?
The legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao originates from the three Chinese deities Thổ Công, Thổ Địa, Thổ Kỳ, but in Vietnamese folklore, it's passed down as the tale of '2 gentlemen and a lady' - the Gods of Earth, House, and Kitchen.
Synopsis of the Legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao
Once upon a time, there lived a devoted couple, the wife named Thi Nhi and the husband named Trong Cao, who shared a deeply affectionate bond.
However, one day, due to anger, Trong Cao made Thi Nhi feel so aggrieved that she left. Thi Nhi wandered to a village where she met Pham Lang. The two fell in love and became husband and wife.
Later, when Trong Cao's anger subsided and he missed Thi Nhi terribly, he set out to find his wife. Trong Cao traveled from one place to another, but despite having nothing left in him, he couldn't find his wife. He ended up begging for survival.
One day, while begging for food on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Trong Cao coincidentally encountered Thi Nhi burning paper money in front of a house. Upon recognizing her husband, Thi Nhi, out of pity, offered him rice to help him out.
Pham Lang witnessed and harbored suspicions about Thi Nhi. Feeling ashamed, Thi Nhi jumped into the fire in despair. Trong Cao, out of gratitude and affection, also leaped into the flames and perished. Moved by his love for his wife, Pham Lang followed suit and joined them in death.
Upon witnessing the tragic love story of the three, the Jade Emperor took pity and bestowed upon them the title of Kitchen Gods, entrusting them with the task of overseeing the affairs of the mortal realm - kitchens, households, and markets. Annually, on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, they ascend to report earthly matters to the Jade Emperor.
Since then, every 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Vietnamese people bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods, sending them back to the heavens to report on earthly affairs to the Jade Emperor.
The legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao has various versions, but the essence of the story remains the same.
2. The Significance of the Kitchen Gods' Day
The legend of the Kitchen Gods holds immense significance and is a pivotal event for the people of Vietnam as Tet approaches.
The Kitchen Gods, closely intertwined with people's lives, record the deeds, both good and bad, of individuals to report back to the Jade Emperor upon their return to the heavens. This forms the basis for rewarding the good and punishing the bad.
Therefore, to receive the Kitchen Gods' blessings, on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, people often prepare additional carp - around 2 or 3 fish released into a basin of water. After the ritual, people release them into rivers, ponds, or lakes, symbolizing the tale of the Kitchen Gods ascending to the heavens.
This tradition among the Vietnamese not only signifies the hope for the Kitchen Gods to convey to the Jade Emperor all that is good and beautiful, but also demonstrates the compassion and kindness of the Vietnamese people.
3. Auspicious Days and Times for Worshiping the Kitchen Gods
Choosing the date and time for worshiping the Kitchen Gods helps homeowners select a suitable day according to their schedule, as well as an auspicious time to pray for favorable outcomes. The following article will provide more detailed information to help you choose the best time for worshiping the Kitchen Gods.
4. The Offering Altar for the Kitchen Gods
According to traditional customs, during the ritual of worshiping the Kitchen Gods, homeowners prepare an offering altar to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods as they ascend to report to the Jade Emperor. The preparation of the offering altar for the Kitchen Gods requires meticulous attention to the ritual objects and the dishes placed on the altar. In the following article, PasGo Team has compiled some suggestions for the offering altar as well as tips and techniques for simple yet beautiful decoration.
5. Invocation Verses for the Kitchen Gods
In any worship ritual, invocation verses are indispensable, and the worship of the Kitchen Gods is no exception. If you are in need of the most accurate and appropriate invocation verses for worshiping the Kitchen Gods, please refer to the following article:
In addition, the Vietnamese people have long admired the loyalty of the Kitchen Gods and worship them in the hope that the Kitchen Gods will help them maintain a warm and happy 'hearth' in their families.
Below is a detailed explanation of the significance of the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, the origin of the legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao, and the meaning behind the legend of Mr. Tao. Hopefully, through this article by PasGo, you have gained more insights into the legend of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao ascending to the heavens.
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Compiled by Ngoc Hoa & Team PasGo
