The Tet Khai Ha is a significant ceremony in Vietnamese culture. Let’s explore what Tet Khai Ha is and when it takes place during the year!
1 What is Tet Khai Ha? When does it take place? The Meaning of Tet Khai Ha
What is Tet Khai Ha? When does it occur? The Significance of Tet Khai Ha
What is Tet Khai Ha?
Tet Khai Ha, also known as the ceremony of lowering the tree, the New Year thanksgiving ceremony, or the gold-burning ceremony, marks the end of the Tet holiday. The ceremony is held to bid farewell to ancestors as they return to heaven after spending time with their descendants during Tet, signaling a return to everyday life and work.
When does Tet Khai Ha take place?
Traditionally, the Tet Khai Ha ceremony is held on the 7th day of the lunar month. However, nowadays, depending on each family’s circumstances, the ceremony can be organized anytime between the 3rd and 10th days of the lunar month, rather than strictly on the 7th day as in the past.
The Meaning of Tet Khai Ha
In ancient customs, from the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month to the 30th of Tet, people would erect a tree decorated with small circular objects to welcome good luck in the new year, bid farewell to bad luck and misfortunes of the old year, and ward off evil spirits to ensure a peaceful Tet with the family.
At the end of Tet, descendants would perform a gold-burning ceremony to bid farewell to their ancestors as they return to the underworld on the 7th day of the lunar new year. The Tet tree would then be taken down, marking the beginning of a joyous celebration to welcome the spring and wish for good luck throughout the year.
For reference: What is the meaning of Tet and the tradition of erecting a tree?
2 What Activities are Included in Tet Khai Ha?
The ceremony on the 7th of the first lunar month is an important ritual in the customs of ancient Vietnam. Let’s discover what the Tet Khai Ha ceremony entails!
Lowering the Tree / Tet Khai Ha Ceremony
When organizing the Tet Khai Ha ceremony, families should prepare a tray of offerings (which can be vegetarian or meat-based), , , flowers, , oil, a dish of , a dish of , prayer notes, paper money, and so on.
The family then sets up the offerings neatly outdoors. The host burns incense, prays to the ancestors, and then proceeds with the outdoor ceremony.
During the Tet Khai Ha prayer, the host can refer to and recite the prayer for lowering the tree, and after the incense has burned out, burn the gold and prayer notes, and then have someone take down the tree.
Once removed, the tree should be placed in a dry, clean, and airy spot outside the house, rather than inside, to avoid any potential bad luck.
What do you need for the Tet Khai Ha ceremony?
For reference: 15 3 regions’ unique ways to wish for good luck for the entire year
Prayer for the 7th of the First Lunar Month
Nam Mo A Di Da Phat (3 times)
We respectfully bow to:
– The Heavenly Emperor, the Earthly Mother, and all the deities
– The ………… year’s …………, the local deity, the Earth God, the Kitchen God, and the Dragon Vein deity.
– Our ancestors, both male and female, from the inner and outer families. Today is the … day of the first lunar month in the year ………., and we, …, currently reside at … house number …, … neighborhood …, … ward …, … city…
With sincerity, we have prepared incense, flowers, and offerings, as well as tea and wine, and respectfully present them before the altar. We would like to inform you that the spring festival has concluded, and the new year has passed. We now offer thanks and bid farewell to the deities and our ancestors as they return to the underworld.
We respectfully request that you continue to bestow your blessings and protection upon us, bringing good fortune to both our living quarters and our ancestral altars. May our descendants be blessed with peace, and may our family prosper. We offer our sincere and humble prayers, along with these modest offerings, and ask that you graciously accept them.
Nam Mo A Di Da Phat (3 times)
Recreational Activities
Tet Khai Ha Activities
A variety of recreational activities are held during Tet Khai Ha, depending on the customs of each locality. So, find out what activities are customary in your area and get your family and neighbors involved!
For reference:
We hope this article has provided valuable information to all of you. Don’t forget to follow our other articles to discover more interesting things!
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