As the gods make their journey on the back of fish, traditions dictate the release of live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered a kindhearted deed to pray for good luck. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese traditional New Year (Tet) festival actually begins on the 23rd of the last month of the lunaryear, which falls on January 17 this year, withthe “Ong Cong - Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ritual.
On this day, every family is busystaging a ceremony to send off the Land Genie andthe Kitchen Gods of the household on their yearlyvisit of Heaven.
The Kitchen Gods, the guardian spiritof the kitchen, are believed to comprise two male gods and one female, whobless the household and keep up the kitchen fire, making every member of thefamily happy and well-off.
As the legend goes, the Land Genie and theKitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the day to deliver an annual reporton the household’s activities to the God of Heaven.
As the gods make their journey on the back offish, traditions dictate the release of live carps into lakes or rivers, which is considered akindhearted deed to pray for good luck.
On the day, people also burn paper clothing,including hats, robes and boots, intended for use by the genies on the tripbeyond.
After the Kitchen Gods go to Heaven, familiesbegin tidying and decorating their houses to usher in the New Year as theybelieve that a clean house represents a fresh start.
On New Year's Eve, the genies will return to earth and resume their caretaking duties in the kitchenof the house.
Although residents in each region across thecountry pay their homage to Ong Cong and Ong Tao in slightly different ways,the gods remain important figures in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year.
The fire in the kitchen is the symbol of notonly warm family union, but also a bumper harvest and agricultural developmentof Vietnamese people. The custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods reflectsVietnamese’s respect of family happiness.-VNA
VNA
