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What is the Ritual of the Pink Goddess Swap and Why is it as Important as the 23rd of the Twelfth Lunar Month?

Surely, many people wonder what the Hoan Than Hong ceremony is and why it is as important as the 23rd of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Stay tuned to find out more!

Administrator

27 July, 2024

The Hoan Than Hong ritual is an important tradition in Vietnamese culture, equivalent to the significance of the three worship ceremonies held on the 15th day of the lunar month, the Kitchen God ceremony, and the New Year Eve ceremony. Read on to learn more about this unique practice.

1 What is the Hoan Than Hong ritual?

Hoan Than Hong ritual

The Hoan Than Hong ritual, also known as the Offering Ceremony to the Gods, the Ritual of Transforming the Gods’ Images on the Altar, or simply the Thanksgiving Ceremony, is a practice of showing gratitude to the deities for their blessings throughout the year.

Hoan Than Hong specifically refers to the custom of transforming and offering to the gods the various talismans, amulets, and divine images that have been displayed or used during the passing year. These items are believed to bring protection, good fortune, and prosperity to the family.

Did you know: The most auspicious time for wealth and luck in the year of the Rabbit 2023?

2 When is the Hoan Than Hong ritual performed?

Appropriate day for the Hoan Than Hong ritual

Traditionally, the Hoan Than Hong ritual was performed on a specific day in the twelfth lunar month, usually around the 10th, 13th, 19th, or 21st. The date was flexible and depended on the family’s circumstances and convenience.

However, in modern times, with busier lifestyles, it has become common to combine this ritual with the Kitchen God ceremony on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. As a result, the significance of the Hoan Than Hong ritual has somewhat faded from people’s memory.

Nevertheless, even today, many families continue the tradition of cleaning the ancestral altar and trimming the incense sticks on the 23rd, which are remnants of the Hoan Than Hong ritual.

3 Offerings for the Hoan Than Hong ritual

Offerings for the Hoan Than Hong ritual

The offerings for the Hoan Than Hong ritual typically include items such as votive papers, gold ingots, worship paintings, talismans, amulets, and other divine images made of paper or metal that are associated with the passing year. These items are gathered and burned to symbolically get rid of any bad luck from the old year and welcome good fortune in the new year.

Additionally, it is customary to perform a thanksgiving ritual with offerings of flowers and fruits before discarding or replacing old worship items with new ones. This is done to seek permission from the deities and ancestral spirits for the cleaning and replacement of old worship items.

We hope that this article has provided you with valuable insights into the Hoan Than Hong ritual and its importance, which is comparable to the significance of the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month.

Frequently asked questions

The Ritual of the Pink Goddess Swap is an annual event that takes place on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. It is a day when people gather to exchange gifts, feast, and perform rituals to honor the Pink Goddess.

The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month is a significant date in the Asian calendar, often marked by celebrations and traditions. The Ritual of the Pink Goddess Swap is considered equally important as it is a time for community bonding, cultural preservation, and spiritual connection.

The exact origins of the ritual are unknown, but it is believed to have started in ancient times as a way to honor the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.

Traditions vary across regions but often include gift-giving, especially items that are pink or symbolize love and beauty. People also prepare and share special foods, such as pink-colored dishes and sweets. Some communities hold parades, beauty pageants, and cultural performances.

The worship of the Pink Goddess often involves rituals and prayers led by spiritual leaders or elders. People may offer flowers, fruits, and other symbolic items to her altar, seeking blessings for love, relationships, and fertility.

The color pink is associated with the energy and essence of the Pink Goddess. It represents love, compassion, tenderness, and femininity. The abundance of pink during the ritual is believed to invoke the goddess’s blessings and bring harmony to relationships.