What to Prepare for the Cold Food Festival? A Complete Guide to the Traditional Offering.

The Cold Food Festival is a time-honored tradition of showing reverence to one's ancestors. The ritual offerings for this festival, which falls on the 3rd of March in the lunar calendar, typically include delicacies such as floating cakes, vegetarian cakes, and an assortment of five types of fruit.

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The Cold Food Festival is a well-known holiday in Vietnam, celebrated annually on the third day of the third lunar month. On this day, people cook banh troi and banh chay to offer to their ancestors. Originating from Chinese customs, the festival is still observed today. The Cold Food Festival is a time to honor ancestors and express gratitude for their blessings. This year, the festival will be held on April 11, 2024. Let’s explore the offerings and rituals for this unique occasion.

1 What offerings are made during the Cold Food Festival?

The Cold Food Festival is a traditional Vietnamese holiday, held on the third day of the third lunar month, to honor and remember deceased ancestors. Certain offerings are prepared and placed on the ancestral altar:

Banh Troi and Banh Chay

Banh Troi and Banh Chay

These two dishes are considered the most important and indispensable during the Cold Food Festival. They represent cold food, a symbol of gratitude and hope for favorable weather, offered to ancestors. According to folk beliefs, the number of bowls of banh troi and banh chay should be five or three.

Incense, Flowers, and Betel Nuts

Incense, Flowers, and Betel Nuts

For any Vietnamese ceremony, big or small, incense, fresh flowers, and betel nuts are essential offerings on the altar. During the Cold Food Festival, these items accompany the traditional dishes as a sign of respect. However, it is important to note that only fresh flowers are used for the offerings.

Five-Fruit Tray

Five-Fruit Tray

Alternatively, families can opt for a tray of fresh fruits, consisting of approximately five different types, depending on the season. The colors of the fruits vary, including green, red, yellow, and purple, representing the five elements and offered to ancestors as a sign of respect and hope for blessings.

In addition to the aforementioned foods, families may also prepare a glass of clean water, paper money, or three to four cups of tea to place on the ancestral altar.

2 The Most Auspicious Time to Worship During the Cold Food Festival 2024

The Most Auspicious Time for the Cold Food Festival 2024

The Cold Food Festival in 2024 falls on April 11. There is no specific time for the worship ritual, as the most important aspect is the sincerity of the family towards their ancestors. However, it is recommended to perform the ceremony before 7 PM, as offering the ritual too late may not convey the family’s sincerity to the ancestors.

The following time frames are considered auspicious for the Cold Food Festival worship in 2024: Suu (1-3), Thin (7-9), Ngo (11-13), Mui (13-15), Tuat (19-21), Hoi (21-23).

3 Prayer for the Cold Food Festival

Prayer for the Cold Food Festival

The prayer for the Cold Food Festival expresses gratitude and respect to ancestors, deities, and spirits, seeking blessings for a peaceful and prosperous new year, good health, and fortune. The prayers are adapted from the book “Vietnamese Traditional Prayers” published by the Information and Culture Publishing House.

These prayers embody the family’s devotion and reverence for their ancestors and deities, as well as their gratitude for protection and blessings received throughout the year. They also reflect the piety and respect for traditions that are integral to Vietnamese culture.

For reference:

4 Notes on the Cold Food Festival Worship

Choose the Right Time

The Cold Food Festival is typically held on the third day of the third lunar month. However, if a family is occupied with work or unable to perform the ceremony on that day, they may choose another day within the third lunar month.

Prepare All Necessary Tools

Families should ensure they have all the necessary equipment for the Cold Food Festival worship, including an ancestral altar, candles, incense, fresh flowers, betel nuts, and other offerings.

Notes on the Cold Food Festival Worship

Maintain Cleanliness and Solemnity

It is important to keep the worship space clean, solemn, and respectful to show reverence and sincerity to the ancestors and deities.

Select Appropriate Food Offerings

The food offerings for the Cold Food Festival should be cold dishes, such as banh troi and banh chay. Families should avoid using artificial flowers, food replicas, or spoiled food on the altar. Only the freshest offerings should be chosen to express gratitude to the ancestors.

The above information provides a comprehensive guide to the offerings and rituals for the Cold Food Festival. We hope this will be useful as you prepare for this unique and meaningful holiday.

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Frequently asked questions

The Cold Food Festival, also known as Hanshi or Qingming, is a traditional Chinese festival observed during the spring season. It is a time when people pay respect to their ancestors and remember the dead. The festival has a rich history dating back over 2,500 years and is filled with cultural significance.

The Cold Food Festival is held annually on the first day of the fifth lunar month, usually falling in April or early May on the Gregorian calendar.

The main tradition of the festival is abstaining from cooking and eating hot food. People instead consume cold or room-temperature foods, hence the name ‘Cold Food Festival’. This practice commemorates an ancient custom where people would avoid lighting fires to cook, so as not to cause any potential harm to the environment and nature.

Cold dishes, such as salads, cold meats, and sandwiches, are commonly prepared and eaten during the festival. People also make offerings of traditional foods like rice balls (qing tuan), cold noodles, and various types of fruits and vegetables.

Yes, beyond the culinary aspects, the Cold Food Festival also involves activities such as tomb sweeping, where people clean and decorate the graves of their ancestors. It is also common to burn incense and offer prayers at ancestral altars or temples. Some people may also choose to plant trees in memory of their loved ones.

While the festival’s original purpose was to honor ancestors and remember the dead, today it also serves as a reminder of the importance of environmental protection and conservation. It is a time for people to reflect on their relationship with nature and promote sustainable practices.

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