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Every year during the traditional Tet holiday, every household performs the ritual of fasting or ceremonial New Year's Eve offerings. While everyone knows it's a must-do ritual, many are unsure of how to properly carry it out. Today, let's explore more details about fasting, its significance, and the dos and don'ts of this ritual together.
What does fasting mean? Why is it important?
What is the significance of Trừ tịch?
Trừ tịch, or the fasting ritual, is performed on the last day of the year, during the Rat hour (from 11 pm to 2 am), marking the transition between the old and the new year. During this time, families often burn incense on the ancestral altar and perform the fasting ritual with a table full of traditional dishes such as chicken, sticky rice, and sausages.
The eve of Trừ tịch is also the most sacred night of the year, a night when families gather together, preparing to welcome the new year with the best wishes and, especially, to rid themselves of any misfortunes or bad omens from the old year. In many places during this time, people also visit temples or go to pick the first lucky buds of the year, exchanging good wishes and promising a fortunate and joyful new year.
What does Trừ tịch symbolize?
The significance of Trừ tịch lies in casting away the negatives of the old year and embracing the freshness of the upcoming one.
According to beliefs in various regions, Trừ tịch is also performed as a ritual to ward off evil spirits, often referred to as the New Year's Eve exorcism ritual. Following these beliefs and practices to this day, many not only perform the fasting ritual at home but also at temples and shrines in the community to bring peace to those around them.
Key Points to Note During Trừ tịch
Ancient beliefs suggest that there are 12 Heavenly Officials, representing the 12 zodiac animals, taking turns overseeing earthly affairs according to their cycles. Just like humans, some officials are benevolent while others are malevolent, and following this law, the benevolent ones bring about auspicious events while the malevolent ones cause unwanted occurrences such as droughts, floods, and crop failures. However, these good or bad deeds are all influenced by the Heavenly Officials, who then bestow blessings or punishments upon humans.
People believe in this and many also view the Trừ tịch ritual as an offering to the Heavenly Officials during the crucial moment of handing over responsibilities, also known as the New Year's Eve Offering, to express the family's sincerity and respect towards their superiors. If the officials are pleased, they will reward, and if displeased, they will punish, making everything clear-cut.
How is the New Year's Eve Offering conducted outdoors and indoors?
In today's ever-changing world, the Trừ tịch or New Year's Eve Offering ritual is meticulously prepared. Many families arrange offerings both indoors and outdoors. You can learn more details about the Outdoor New Year's Eve Offering Ceremony for the Year of the Pig 2019 to ensure the most detailed and comprehensive preparation for the Trừ tịch night.
Regarding Trừ tịch and the New Year's Eve Offering, there are surely many questions you may have. To better understand how to properly prepare the offering tray, or how to conduct the offering, including the use of written prayers, refer to these guidelines to perform the rituals correctly and appropriately.
