For most Vietnamese, Tet (Lunar New Year festival) has actually begunwith the “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony onthe 23rd of the last month of the lunar year, which falls on February 3this year.
On this day, every family is busystaging a farewell ceremony for the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods ontheir yearly visit of Heaven.
The KitchenGods, the guardian spirit of the kitchen, are believed to comprise twomale gods and one female, who bless the household and keep up thekitchen fire, making every member of the family happy and well-off.
As the legend goes, the Land Genie andthe Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver anannual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven.
As the gods make their journey on theback of fish, it is traditional to release live carps into lakes orrivers, which is considered a kindhearted deed to pray for good luck.
On that day, people also burn paperclothing, including hats, robes and boots, intended for use by thegenies on the trip beyond.
After theKitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decorating theirhouses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean houserepresents a fresh star.
On New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their caretaking duties in the kitchen of the house.
Although residents in each region across the country pay their homageto Ong Cong and Ong Tao in slightly different ways, the gods remainimportant figures in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year.
The fire in the kitchen is the symbol of not only warm family union,but also a bumper harvest and agricultural development of Vietnamesepeople. The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflects Vietnamese’srespect of family happiness.-VNA
On this day, every family is busystaging a farewell ceremony for the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods ontheir yearly visit of Heaven.
The KitchenGods, the guardian spirit of the kitchen, are believed to comprise twomale gods and one female, who bless the household and keep up thekitchen fire, making every member of the family happy and well-off.
As the legend goes, the Land Genie andthe Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver anannual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven.
As the gods make their journey on theback of fish, it is traditional to release live carps into lakes orrivers, which is considered a kindhearted deed to pray for good luck.
On that day, people also burn paperclothing, including hats, robes and boots, intended for use by thegenies on the trip beyond.
After theKitchen Gods go to Heaven, families begin tidying and decorating theirhouses to usher in the New Year as they believe that a clean houserepresents a fresh star.
On New Year's Eve, both genies will return to earth and resume their caretaking duties in the kitchen of the house.
Although residents in each region across the country pay their homageto Ong Cong and Ong Tao in slightly different ways, the gods remainimportant figures in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year.
The fire in the kitchen is the symbol of not only warm family union,but also a bumper harvest and agricultural development of Vietnamesepeople. The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflects Vietnamese’srespect of family happiness.-VNA
