5 taboos to avoid when worshiping Ong Cong and Ong Tao

The annual worshiping ceremony of Ong Cong Ong Tao is a long-standing folk belief in our country. Ong Cong and Ong Tao are kitchen gods (Tao Quan) who look after the lives of the entire family.

Every December 23, the Kitchen Gods ride a carp to heaven to report everything that happens in the family to the Jade Emperor.

This is an important ceremony during the traditional New Year. However, not all families know the exact procedures and customs of the traditional ceremony. Below are some mistakes in the ceremony on December 23 that many families may not know:

1. Place the offering tray in the kitchen

Many people believe that Ong Cong is the god of the land in the house, and should be worshiped on the main altar in the house, while Ong Tao is the 23 kitchen gods who look after the kitchen, so he should be worshiped in the kitchen.

However, according to spiritual experts, such worship is not in accordance with the nation's long-standing customs and traditions.

Traditionally, all of these deities should be worshipped on the main family altar. Moreover, the kitchen is a place for cooking, not a place for worship. The offering tray on the 23rd of December should be made in the cleanest and most solemn place in the house.

2. Pray for wealth and prosperity

In fact, the ceremony on the 23rd of December has the meaning of sending the Kitchen Gods to heaven to report to the heavens the big and small events of the year of the homeowner. Therefore, praying for wealth and prosperity is not advisable. Families should only pray to the Kitchen Gods to report good things during the year.

3. Prepare offerings

Offerings on the 23rd of December do not have to be too elaborate. Depending on conditions and circumstances, families can prepare vegetarian or non-vegetarian dishes.

However, normally, offerings on the 23rd of December include 3 sets of clothes, hats, and shoes for the 3 gods, along with a paper horse with a full saddle or 3 carps and gold coins. These votive offerings will be burned to be sent to the gods to use when they return to heaven.

4. Offering after noon on December 23

According to folk beliefs, 12 noon on December 23 is the time when Ong Cong Ong Tao returns to heaven. Therefore, the worship must be done before this time.

Normally, starting from December 21st to before 12 noon on December 23rd, families can choose a suitable time to hold the ceremony to worship Ong Cong and Ong Tao. When the incense has burned 2/3, they can burn votive papers and release carp to send Ong Tao to heaven.

5. Releasing carp from above

Release the carp gently and do not litter the environment.

On the 23rd of December, carp symbolizes the gods. After worshiping and releasing the carp, families should not release the fish from high places such as bridges or far banks and throw the fish into the water because this will kill the fish.

You should choose a location at the water’s edge in a river or lake and release the fish slowly. In particular, do not throw the plastic bag into the water to avoid polluting the environment.