What should be done after offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God?

According to Vietnamese tradition, the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month is the day of the Ông Công Ông Táo ceremony, also known as the day to bid farewell to Ông Táo as he ascends to heaven.

According to legend, on this day, the Kitchen God rides a carp to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor about the events that have taken place in the family throughout the past year. Afterward, the Kitchen God returns to earth on New Year's Eve to continue his duty of overseeing the family's hearth.

What should be done after offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God?

The Kitchen God and Stove God worship ceremony is an important traditional ritual in Vietnamese culture, expressing gratitude and respect for the deities who govern the kitchen and the family. After completing the ceremony, to ensure the full spiritual meaning is preserved, the family needs to perform the following tasks:

1. Wait for the incense to burn out.

First, after offering incense and praying, the homeowner needs to wait for the incense to burn out. Typically, the incense lit during the ceremony will burn about two-thirds or almost completely. Waiting for the incense to burn out shows respect and patience, and also allows time for the deities to "enjoy" the offerings the family has presented.

During this time, everyone in the family can sit quietly, reflect on the past, and wish for good things in the new year.

2. Burning paper money

Burning paper money is an indispensable step in the ritual of worshipping the Kitchen God. Families will burn paper money, offerings, and other items to send the Kitchen God and Goddess back to heaven. When performing this ritual, it is necessary to prepare a safe area for burning the paper money and remember to clean up the ashes afterward.

3. Release the carp.

An indispensable part of the Kitchen God worship ceremony is releasing carp. Carp are considered the means by which the Kitchen God returns to heaven. After the ceremony, families will take the carp to a river, lake, or other clean water source to release them. This act not only has spiritual significance but also reflects a humane spirit and love for nature.

When releasing fish, people often quietly offer prayers, hoping the carp will be healthy, swim quickly, and carry the Kitchen God back to heaven safely.

4. Cleaning and tidying the altar.

After completing the rituals, you can proceed to clean the altar. Wipe down the altar, change the water, and rearrange the items on the altar neatly.

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5. Enjoy the offerings.

Finally, the family can enjoy the offerings together. Traditionally, the offerings are considered "blessings" bestowed by the deities. Eating the offerings not only has spiritual significance but also provides an opportunity for family members to gather, reunite, share joy, and hope for a peaceful and happy new year.

Completing these tasks not only adds meaning to the Kitchen God worship ceremony but also contributes to maintaining and promoting the traditional cultural values ​​of the Vietnamese people.

Things to do from the 23rd to the 30th of Tet when the Kitchen God is away.

1. Clean the house.

With the Kitchen God absent, this is the perfect time to clean the house, rearrange the living space, and prepare to welcome the new year.

Every corner of the house was meticulously cleaned, from the ancestral altar, living room, and bedrooms, to the kitchen and garden. Old, broken, and unused items were replaced, creating a tidy and bright space.

This is also the time when carefully selected peach blossom trees, apricot blossom branches, or kumquat trees are brought home to adorn the house with the colors of spring. Lanterns, sweets, and other decorative items gradually appear, brightening the space and signaling that Tet is fast approaching.

2. Home repairs

According to folk beliefs, doing these things while the Kitchen God is away is a way to avoid infringing upon his control.

People take the opportunity to repaint walls, repair roofs, or refurbish furniture. However, repairs should be done quietly, avoiding noise that might disturb neighbors, in order to maintain harmony in the community.

3. Prepare offerings and ceremonial items.

Alongside cleaning and repairs, every family is busy preparing offerings and ceremonial items for important end-of-year rituals.

From the elaborate New Year's Eve feast with traditional dishes to the sacred New Year's Eve ceremony, everything is meticulously prepared to express gratitude to heaven and earth, ancestors, and to pray for a peaceful and fortunate new year.

4. Tet Shopping

The atmosphere at the Tet market during these days becomes more bustling than ever. People are shopping for food, sweets, new clothes, or fresh flowers to place on the altar. This is not only about material preparation but also a way to express wishes for a prosperous and abundant new year.

5. Prepare traditional dishes.

Traditional dishes like banh chung, banh tet, jams, and pickled onions are also being made and packaged amidst the joyful reunion of the whole family.

6. Year-End Ceremony

On the 30th day of the Lunar New Year, families gather together to offer the year-end sacrifice, a ritual marking the end of the old year and preparing to welcome the new year. Their reverence is expressed through a well-prepared feast, solemn prayers, and a warm, convivial atmosphere.

This is also the time when the Kitchen God returns after completing his mission in Heaven. Offerings such as fruits, sweets, and especially carp are prepared to welcome the return of the Kitchen God, hoping to bring blessings to the family.

8. Taboos to observe while the Kitchen God is absent.

During this time, families also carefully avoid violating taboos. Things like arguing, breaking things, or borrowing and lending money are avoided, as folk beliefs hold that these can bring bad luck for the new year.

From the 23rd to the 30th of the Lunar New Year is a busy but meaningful time, as people prepare to welcome the new year with much hope. Every task, from cleaning the house, making repairs, preparing offerings to cooking traditional dishes, is a way to preserve and transmit the beauty of Vietnamese Tet culture. And when the Kitchen God returns, everything is ready, welcoming a peaceful and happy new year.