Meaning of the Gold Conversion Ceremony on Tet
According to customs, the gold conversion ceremony on Tet is a ritual to bid farewell to ancestors. Typically, in the last days of the lunar year, families will visit the graves, prepare an altar to invite ancestors to come home and celebrate Tet with their descendants. After the first few days of the new year, families will prepare another altar to bid farewell to their ancestors. This is an opportunity for everyone to express gratitude to their ancestors and hope for a new year full of protection, peace, and prosperity.
Auspicious Days for Gold Conversion on Tet Giap Thin 2024
– 3rd day of Tet
Actually, the exact day for gold conversion after Tet is not fixed. The homeowners can choose a suitable day between the 3rd and 7th day of Tet to perform the ceremony. Most families prefer the 3rd day of Tet for gold conversion. In the year of Giap Thin 2024, the 3rd day of Tet falls on Monday, February 12th according to the Gregorian calendar. Some auspicious hours for the gold conversion ceremony are:
Tan Mao (5am-7am): Ngoc Duong
Giap Ngo (11am-1pm): Tu Menh
Binh Than (3pm-5pm): Thanh Long
Dinh Dau (5pm-7pm): Minh Duong
– 4th day of Tet
The 4th day of Tet, which is February 13th, 2024, is also a feasible day for gold conversion on Tet Giap Thin. Auspicious hours during the day are from 5am-7am, 9am-11am, and 3pm-5pm.
– 5th day of Tet
The 5th day of Tet, which is February 14th, 2024. Auspicious hours during the day are from 7am-9am, 9am-11am, and 1pm-3pm.
Items Needed for the Gold Conversion Ceremony on Tet
Families can prepare some simple items including a tray of five fruits, gold ingots, fresh flowers, incense, betel leaves, cakes, and wine. The food offering can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian depending on the family’s situation. If it’s a non-vegetarian offering, a rooster cannot be missing.
After preparing the altar, the homeowner will light incense and recite the gold conversion prayer to bid farewell to the ancestors. Wait until the incense burns out, then the homeowner will bow and ask for permission to proceed with the gold conversion ritual. During the ritual, the spiritual items should come first, followed by the ancestors. The place of gold conversion should be clean and well-ventilated. Each ritual should be performed separately and not combined or performed arbitrarily. Burning the gold ingots should also follow the order of the spiritual items and then the ancestors. The gold ingots for those who passed away in the current year should be burned last.
When the gold and paper offerings have burned out, the homeowner can sprinkle a little bit of wine. Folk beliefs say that by doing so, the ancestors will receive the gifts sent by their descendants.
The food offerings from the gold conversion ceremony can be shared by the descendants.
Gold Conversion Prayer
Nam mo A-di-da Phat (3 times) I respectfully bow to the nine directions of the sky, ten directions of the Buddha, Buddha in all ten directions
I respectfully bow to Hoang Thien, Hau Tho, Long Mach, Tao Quan, all honorable deities
I respectfully bow to Hoang Thien, Hau Tho, all honorable deities
I respectfully bow to the current-year celestial command, the Royal palace of the Heavenly Court, the Earth Deities, Tao Quan, Long Mach, all honorable deities
I respectfully bow to our ancestors, both paternal and maternal, both in this world and the afterlife. Today is the 3rd day of the first lunar month, year [insert year here]. We are [insert name], [insert age] years old, residing at [insert address]. With sincerity, we prepare flowers, offerings, and other items to pay tribute and seek blessings. We humbly present: The Lunar New Year celebration has concluded, Tet has passed, and now we request the conversion of gold and paper offerings. We bid farewell to the deities and escort the spirits back to the afterlife. We pray for blessings, grace, and protection at home and abroad, in every aspect, ensuring the well-being of our descendants, peace and good fortune in all endeavors, and prosperity for our family. With utmost respect and dedication, we offer our silver and gold tokens, sincerely hoping for the evidence and confirmation of our prayers. Nam mo A-di-da Phat (3 times)
This information is for reference and personal experience.
