Hanoi people busy staging farewell ceremony for Kitchen Gods
Hanoi people are busy staging a farewell ceremony for the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) on the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which falls on February 8.
Hang Ma Street in Hanoi is colourful with votive paper offerings which are used at the farewell ceremony for the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods on their yearly visit to Heaven. (Source: VNA)
As the legend goes, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver an annual report on the household's activities to the God of Heaven. (Source: VNA)
On that day, people burn paper clothing, including hats, robes and boosts, intended for use by the genies on the trip beyond. (Source: VNA)
After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decorating their houses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean house represents a fresh start. (Source: VNA)
On the New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their care-taking duties in the kitchen of the house. (Source: VNA)
The fire in the kitchen is the symbol of not only warm family union, but also a bumper harvest and agricultural development of Vietnamese people. (Source: VNA)
The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflects Vietnamese's respect of family happiness. (Source: VNA)
For most Vietnamese, Tet (Lunar New Year festival) has actually begun with the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which falls on January 20 this year.
Vietnamese people have been busy over the last few days preparing to farewell "Ong Cong - Ong Tao" (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) on their yearly visit of Heaven.
As legend has it, the Land Genie and Kitchen Gods ride carps to Heaven on the 23rd day of the last month of the lunar year, to deliver an annual report on household activities to the God of Heaven.
The traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) is the biggest and oldest festival in Vietnam, bringing its people together to celebrate the sacred and meaningful annual event.