Meaning and prayers for the opening ceremony on the 7th of January

According to folk belief, January 7th ends the Lunar New Year (3 days of Tet, 7 days of spring) and is the beginning of the Khai Ha Festival, which is understood as the New Year's opening day of joy to welcome the new spring, praying for luck for the whole year.

What is the opening ceremony of the year?

The opening ceremony, or in some places called the tree-lowering ceremony, is the ceremony that ends all the fun activities of Tet holiday, everyone returns to their daily work and business, most clearly shown through the lowering of the tree on Tet holiday.

More specifically: According to traditional customs of the past, the Tet pole will be erected from the 23rd of December, or at the latest on the 30th of Tet, with decorations such as small circles or something depending on the customs of each locality, with the meaning of sending away the bad and unlucky things of the old year, welcoming the lucky things to the family and community in the first days of the new year.

In addition, the pole also has the meaning of warding off evil spirits, preventing evil spirits from disturbing the family, and allowing for a peaceful Tet holiday. After Tet, when the gods return to the family, the pole will be taken down at the same time.

Tet pole. Photo archive

Offerings for the opening ceremony

When holding the opening ceremony, families prepare: A tray of offerings, which can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. In addition, there are drops of oil, wine, incense, flowers, fruits, a plate of rice, a plate of salt, votive paper money, etc.

Fully and completely arranged outdoors, the homeowner lights incense, prays and asks for permission from the ancestors in the house first, then performs the ceremony outdoors.

When praying for the opening ceremony, homeowners can refer to the following prayer:

Prayer for the opening ceremony

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times)

Dear:

- The Emperor of Heaven, the Mother of Earth, and all the Gods

- His Excellency ............., the current ruler of the year ........., His Excellency the Local City God, His Excellency the Earth God, the Kitchen God, and the Dragon Vein God.

- Ancestors, paternal and maternal ancestors. Today is the ... day of the first month of the year .........., we are ... currently residing at house number ..., neighborhood ..., ward ..., city ...

Sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, tea, wine, and ceremonial offerings, and place them before the altar. Respectfully report: The spring feast has ended, the New Year has passed, now we would like to thank the Gods, and escort the spirit back to the underworld.

I respectfully ask for blessings, grace, and protection for the earthly and living world, so that all places are good, my children and grandchildren will be safe, and my family will be prosperous. With all my heart, I respectfully offer this humble offering, and ask for your kind consideration and witness.

Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times)

After reading the prayer for the opening ceremony of the year, wait for the incense to burn out or for a week to pass before burning the votive papers and paper money, then have someone lift the pole. After the pole is lifted, it should not be left inside the house but outside, in a dry, airy, and clean place.

Nowadays, the ceremony of lowering the pole or the opening ceremony of the year is not often planted and lowered before Tet, but with the meaning of praying for blessings, peace, welcoming the gods and fortune to the family, the preparation of the outdoor offering tray is still carefully prepared.

With this article, we hope to provide you with a lot of useful information about the beautiful cultural features of our ancestors' Tet holiday.