In Vietnamese culture, the Hungry Ghost Festival is a spiritual belief that has existed for a long time. This ritual is performed to allow wandering souls to return to the mortal world and visit their families. So, what does the cô hồn offering in the seventh lunar month entail? Let’s find out!
The seventh lunar month, also known as Tháng Cô Hồn, is believed to be a time when the gates of the underworld are opened, according to legend. From the second day to noon on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month, offerings are made to the wandering spirits. If it coincides with the Vu Lan festival, it is customary to make offerings to the deities and ancestors before making offerings to the wandering spirits.
1 Preparing the cô hồn offering for the seventh lunar month
What does the cô hồn offering include?
The offerings may vary slightly depending on regional customs, but generally, the cô hồn offering includes the following:
– Xôi (sticky rice) and chè (sweet porridge) (1 plate each).
– Cháo trắng (12 small bowls of thin rice porridge) or bánh vắt (3 pieces).
– 12 pieces of bánh cốm (a type of sticky rice cake).
– Paper clothes and paper money (small denominations of real money can also be used).
– Sugarcane, cut into small sections with the peel intact.
– Sweets, cakes, and cash (small denominations).
– Popcorn, boiled sweet potatoes, corn, and cassava.
– Flowers and five types of fruits of five different colors.
– Three small glasses of water, three incense sticks, and two small candles.
How to arrange the cô hồn offering
Place the incense burner in the center, with the candle on one side. Arrange the bowls of rice and salt symmetrically on either side of the incense burner. Place the three cups of wine and three cups of water behind the incense burner.
Next, arrange the six plates of xôi, six bowls of chè, and six bowls of porridge in a straight line, creating an aesthetically pleasing display. Following the principle of “East for flowers, West for fruits,” place the flowers on the east side and the fruits on the west side.
Add the gold and silver paper offerings, along with a plate of sweets and cakes, and don’t forget to include a bundle of incense sticks for the ritual. Finally, set six sets of chopsticks, spoons, and bowls for the deities to witness and enjoy the offerings.
2 Performing the cô hồn ritual in the seventh lunar month
When is the best time to perform the seventh-month ritual?
According to folk beliefs, the seventh-month ritual should be performed from the second day to before noon on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. After noon on the fifteenth, the Quỷ Môn Quan (Gate of the Underworld) is believed to close, and the offerings will no longer be received by the wandering spirits.
However, another belief suggests that on the full moon day of the seventh month, there will be numerous wandering souls, and the ancestors may not receive the offerings due to the presence of these souls. Therefore, people often perform the ritual before the full moon, starting from the second day of the seventh lunar month.
Additionally, as the seventh lunar month also includes the Vu Lan festival, it is essential to make offerings to the Buddha, deities, and ancestors before making offerings to the wandering spirits.
When is the best time to perform the seventh-month ritual?
What is the best time of day to perform the cô hồn ritual?
The cô hồn ritual is typically performed in the late afternoon or early evening, preferably during the hour of the Rooster (5 pm to 7 pm). This is because, according to folk beliefs, during the daytime, when there is an abundance of sunlight, the released wandering spirits are weak. Performing the ritual in the morning may cause the spirits to stay away.
When is the best time to perform the cô hồn ritual?
Where is the best place to perform the cô hồn ritual?
The cô hồn ritual must be performed outdoors, in an open space such as a sidewalk or crossroads, where there is less foot traffic. It is considered inauspicious to perform the ritual inside the house, as it may invite wandering spirits into the home and disrupt the family’s feng shui.
Rituals and procedures for the seventh-month ritual
When performing the cô hồn ritual, the host should be dressed neatly and appropriately, avoiding shorts. It is also advisable to keep children, pregnant women, and the elderly away from the ritual to prevent any potential disturbances or negative influences from the wandering spirits.
Xôi, chicken, and savory dishes are not typically offered during the cô hồn ritual. The offering table should be set up outdoors, away from the entrance of the house. When scattering the paper money and gold ingots, face the four directions: East, West, South, and North.
Rituals and procedures for the seventh-month ritual
In folk beliefs, incense sticks are usually lit in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, or 9) to represent the yang energy and pay respect to the ancestors. The incense sticks should be lit straight, and the offerings should be arranged according to the principle of “East for flowers, West for fruits,” along with wine and water.
Incantation for the seventh-month ritual
Incantation for the seventh-month ritual
A proper incantation, following folk traditions, will ensure that your prayers and wishes are heard and that your sincerity is acknowledged. The incantation should include the name of the person performing the ritual, their place of residence, the reason for the ritual, a list of offerings, and finally, your wishes and prayers for yourself and your family.
For further reference:
Notes on the seventh-month ritual offerings
Notes on the seventh-month ritual offerings
Here are some important notes to consider regarding the seventh-month ritual offerings:
- The offering table for the wandering spirits should be placed in front of the house, not directly in front of the entrance.
- Savory dishes are not typically offered during the seventh-month ritual; only vegetarian dishes are presented.
- After the ritual, the offerings should not be brought back into the house. Ceramic items should be burned on-site, and the rice and salt should be scattered in eight directions.
3 Common questions about the seventh-month cô hồn ritual
Who should not stand near the ritual?
It is advisable to keep children, the elderly, and pregnant women away from the ritual to prevent any potential negative influences or disturbances from the wandering spirits.
Can the seventh-month ritual offerings be eaten?
According to traditional beliefs, it is not advisable to consume the seventh-month ritual offerings, as it is thought to invite wandering souls into the home, bringing bad luck to the host family.
However, modern beliefs suggest that these offerings can be consumed. Here are a few reasons why:
– The hosts often purchase offerings from reputable sources, ensuring their quality and cleanliness.
– The offerings are usually placed in clean and elevated areas. After the ritual, they can be distributed to children who are waiting to “catch” the offerings. Additionally, in Buddhism, wasting food is discouraged.
Can the seventh-month ritual offerings be eaten?
How is the monthly cô hồn offering different?
The seventh-month cô hồn ritual is more elaborate and grand, as it is believed that during this time, the boundary between the living and the dead blurs, and a grand ritual is necessary to ward off any potential disturbances.
On the other hand, the monthly cô hồn ritual is performed to honor the souls who have not yet found peace or are still lingering in the mortal world without a proper send-off.
In conclusion, this article has provided you with essential information about the seventh-month cô hồn offerings and rituals. Stay tuned for more informative articles in the future.
8 Traditional Games to Bring Family Fun to Tet Holiday at Home
As the Lunar New Year approaches, many families are preparing to celebrate with festive traditions and activities. To honor this time-honored event, let’s take a look at 8 fun traditional games that can be easily enjoyed at home with friends and family.
Ideas for Meaningful Birthday Gifts for Senior Loved Ones
Celebrating the significant life milestones of those close to us is a meaningful way to show our love and appreciation. Get inspired by Điện Máy XANH’s list of the top 20 meaningful gifts for the elderly to show the important people in your life how much you care!
Lăng Ông Nam Hải Phú Quốc Festival: Origin and Significance
The Nam Hai Temple Festival is a long-standing festival in Phu Quoc. Let’s explore its origins, meanings, and notable activities.
Fruit plates: left or right on the altar?
According to folklore, the fruit plate on the altar should be placed in a suitable position to create balance, bringing peace and prosperity to the family.
Babies born during this time are often exceptionally intelligent, overcoming challenges to achieve success and growing up to be highly resourceful individuals.
If parents care about the birth time of their children, they can refer to some traditional folklore about birth hours.
