Authentic Vietnamese prayer for burning votive paper during Tet 2025 (Year of the Snake).
The ritual of burning votive paper is an indispensable part of the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration. After the three days of Tet, when the ancestors have returned to celebrate with their descendants, the burning of votive paper is held to bid farewell to the ancestors as they return to the afterlife, expressing the gratitude of their descendants.
Auspicious dates and times for the ritual of burning votive paper in the year of the Snake (2025).
The 2025 Lunar New Year (Year of the Snake) offerings ceremony is usually held from the 3rd to the 7th day of the Lunar New Year, which is from January 31st to February 4th, 2025. The 3rd day of the Lunar New Year (January 31st, 2025) is often chosen by many families as it is considered an auspicious day, suitable for religious rituals.
For choosing an auspicious time to perform the ritual of burning votive paper in 2025 (Year of the Snake), people can refer to the following:
+ The 5th day of the 1st lunar month of 2025 (February 2nd, 2025) is the day of the Water Tiger, auspicious for homeowners born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat. Auspicious times for burning offerings are: Dragon (7am-9am), Snake (9am-11am), and Goat (1pm-3pm).
+ The 6th day of the 1st lunar month of 2025 (February 3rd, 2025) is the day of Quy Mao, which is auspicious for homeowners born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat. Auspicious times for burning offerings are: Mao (5am-7am), Mui (1pm-3pm), and Dau (5pm-7pm).
Prayer for the ritual of burning votive paper money during Tet (Lunar New Year) 2025 (Year of the Snake).
Prayer according to "Traditional Vietnamese Prayer Texts" - Culture and Information Publishing House
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
I respectfully bow to the nine directions of heaven, the ten directions of all Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions.
I respectfully bow before Heaven, Earth, the Dragon Vein, the Kitchen God, and all revered deities.
I respectfully bow before the presiding deity of the year, the local tutelary deity, the earth deities, the kitchen god, and the revered dragon vein deities.
I respectfully bow before my ancestors, both paternal and maternal, and all departed spirits.
Today is the ... day of January, in the year of the Snake (1945).
We are: ... age: ...
Currently residing at: …
With sincere hearts, we prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and ceremonial wine, respectfully placing them before the altar. We humbly present: The spring feast is over, the New Year has passed, and now we respectfully burn the gold and silver offerings, giving thanks to the revered deities and escorting the departed spirits back to the underworld.
We humbly pray for blessings, grace, protection, and guidance for both the living and the deceased, that all things be auspicious, that our descendants may have everything they wish for, that all things be peaceful, that wealth and prosperity be abundant, and that our family flourish.
With sincere reverence and humble offerings, we respectfully present this gift, humbly requesting your merciful consideration and witness.
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
Namo Amitabha Buddha
