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Explore the tradition of worshiping the Kitchen Gods on the 23rd of Lunar December, a vital spiritual ritual and a cultural practice rich in Vietnamese identity.
The Significance of Worshiping the Kitchen Gods
In Vietnamese folklore, the hearth is highly revered as a symbol of warmth and family happiness. The practice of worshiping the Kitchen Gods allows people to express gratitude and respect to the deities who oversee the kitchen and maintain the household's harmony. According to legend, the 23rd of Lunar December is when the Kitchen Gods ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the year's events. The carp serves as their means of transportation, symbolizing prosperity and fortune. It also represents the strength and determination needed to overcome challenges, akin to a carp leaping over the dragon gate to transform into a dragon.
This day also marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year festivities in Vietnamese tradition. It is a time for family members to come together, prepare offerings, and clean their homes. This practice not only strengthens family bonds and reunites loved ones after a busy year but also helps preserve and pass down the nation's cultural heritage.
What to Prepare for the Offering Tray?
According to the tradition of worshiping the Kitchen Gods, families prepare a solemn and complete offering tray to bid farewell to the deities as they ascend to heaven. Depending on family traditions and regional customs, each household may adjust the items on the tray. They may choose either vegetarian or non-vegetarian offerings. However, the basic items typically include the following:
– Prepare ceremonial attire for the Kitchen Gods, including hats and robes.
– Carp: The means for the Kitchen Gods to travel to heaven. Depending on the region, this could be a live carp for release or a paper carp.
– Joss paper, white wine, tea, rice, and salt.
– Betel leaves and areca nuts, fresh flowers.
– Fruits (usually five types of fruits representing the five elements).
*Traditional Non-Vegetarian Offering Tray
Includes boiled chicken, spring rolls, Vietnamese pork sausage, braised pork or jelly meat, boiled shrimp, sticky rice cake (bánh chưng or bánh tét), soup (such as meatball soup, mushroom soup, or bamboo shoot soup), stir-fried dishes (like beef stir-fry, chicken stir-fry, or pork stir-fry), sticky rice, and sweet dessert soup (like mung bean sweet soup or glutinous rice ball soup).
*Traditional Vegetarian Offering Tray
Features vegetarian spring rolls, tofu-based dishes such as fried tofu with lemongrass, stir-fried vegetables, vegetarian soup, sticky rice, and sweet dessert soup.
The offering tray is not just a collection of dishes but also embodies the emotions of the preparer and, most importantly, the spiritual and cultural values deeply rooted in Vietnamese tradition. This thoughtful and meaningful preparation marks a perfect beginning for a Lunar New Year filled with hope and good fortune.
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Reference: Travel Guide by Mytour.vn
Mytour.vnJanuary 22, 2025
