Every 23rd of December, Vietnamese people prepare many rituals to bid farewell to Ong Cong, Ong Tao and one of the indispensable elements is the carp. Many people wonder whether the carp used should be real or made of paper.
Why does the offering for Ong Cong, Ong Tao have to include a carp?
Everyone in Vietnam has probably heard of the story of the stove gods who keep each family warm and happy. Every year, these gods return to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor the events that have taken place in each family throughout the year.
It is believed that the journey to heaven is not easy, and requires a special “vehicle”, and the carp has been chosen to fulfill this “duty”. In folklore, people often say “carp jumping through the dragon’s gate” or “carp turning into a dragon” to signify that only this type of fish can fly up to heaven. Additionally, “carp turning into a dragon” symbolizes the spirit of perseverance, overcoming difficulties to achieve success.
Should a real carp or a paper carp be used for the offering to Ong Cong, Ong Tao?
Every year, people enthusiastically prepare carp to bid farewell to Ong Tao. So, when offering to Ong Cong, Ong Tao, should a real carp or a paper carp be used?
Regarding this question that many people wonder about, according to experts, both real carp and paper carp can be used for the offering to Ong Cong, Ong Tao. It depends on the family’s situation and convenience in choosing.
Real carp is often used in families with the means to do so, and can be combined with the tradition of releasing animals. Nowadays, there are also many fish farming villages that raise carp specifically for this special occasion. On the other hand, paper carp is more cost-effective and convenient, but it should be noted that excessive burning of paper carp can be wasteful and unfriendly to the environment. According to the age-old custom, people used to use live carp to offer to the Kitchen God. After the offering, the carp is released into the environment, and only when it reaches the Dragon Gate can it “turn into a dragon” and fly up to heaven. Offering paper carp, on the other hand, has a different meaning, similar to burning paper money. People often choose large live carp because they believe that only when they release these fish can they “turn into dragons” early.
What “taboos” should be avoided when offering to Ong Cong, Ong Tao?
According to the traditional customs of the Vietnamese people, every family performs the ritual of offering to Ong Cong, Ong Tao on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, or earlier depending on each family’s conditions.
Many people fry carp for the offering to Ong Tao, but this is considered a taboo and should be avoided on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. Besides carp, all other types of fish should not be fried and included in the offering.
Families should also pay attention to the timing of the offering to Ong Tao. The offering to Ong Tao is usually done before 12 noon on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. According to the belief, the host must offer the report in advance for Ong Tao to summarize and report to heaven. Offering after the designated time has passed will lose its significance.
The tradition of worshipping Ong Cong, Ong Tao is a folk cultural belief. This belief holds rich humanistic meanings, encouraging people to do good deeds and live a virtuous life. However, nowadays, this tradition is also being distorted and misunderstood.
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