As the old year transitions to the new year, many people anxiously await and look for signs during that moment, as it is considered a symbol for the entire year. Therefore, New Year’s Eve worship is seen as a very important ritual for the Vietnamese people.
Usually, families will have an ancestral altar and an outdoor altar to worship during this transitional moment.
New Year’s Eve is the moment of transition from the old year to the new year, worshipped on the last night of the lunar year. New Year’s Eve worship is also called the ritual of exorcism, which means eliminating all the misfortunes of the old year to welcome the better fortunes when entering the new year.
The ideal time for New Year’s Eve worship
Some people worship from before midnight to after midnight, some finish before midnight, and some wait until after midnight to worship. According to feng shui experts, the New Year’s Eve ritual in the Giap Thin year of 2024 should be conducted at the Rat hour, around 11 pm, or the best time is at the exact Rat hour, at midnight, and end before 1 am on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The reason for choosing this time is that before 1 am, the deities transfer the tasks from the old year to the new year, and they will manage the activities of the homeowners in the new year. Therefore, starting the worship from around 11 pm to 1 am allows the deities to witness the sincerity of the homeowners. If the worship is done after midnight, there is not enough witness to the sincerity, and if it is done before midnight, it has not entered the new year yet. Therefore, homeowners should prepare and worship from the time of the old year transition to the new year, but they should not worship for too long.
Should New Year’s Eve worship be conducted indoors or outdoors?
Usually, families with different altars will all prepare offerings, then have an outdoor altar. The indoor ancestral altar is for praying to the ancestors to protect and welcome the new year together. The outdoor altar is for worshipping the deities and calling the Sun god. Therefore, the ritual of worshiping outdoors should be conducted first, which includes worshiping the deities and calling the Sun god, then lighting incense to worship the ancestors indoors. This demonstrates the order in the worship as well as the correct sequence of New Year’s Eve. First, worshiping the deities and the Sun god to herald the new year, then inviting the ancestors to celebrate the new year together. Without the witness of the deities and the Sun god, there is no new year yet.
What should be noted during the New Year’s Eve ritual?
Worshipping outdoors means receiving the governing energy of the new year. This deity governs what will come to the family in the new year. The outdoor offering usually includes incense, various fruits, fresh flowers, candles or oil lamps, betel leaves, boiled chicken (or boiled pig’s head), glutinous rice, chung cake (or cylindrical glutinous rice cake), wine (white wine or red wine), and some traditional Tet dishes depending on the local customs and culinary culture of each family. However, it is important to avoid worshiping living, putrid, or pungent items, as well as foods with uncertain origins.
Worshipping indoors means offering sacrifices to the ancestors and inviting them to gather and celebrate Tet with the family, protecting and supporting the descendants in the new year. The indoor altar usually displays salty dishes that are symbolically representative of Tet such as red sticky rice, mung bean vermicelli soup, boiled chicken, Vietnamese sausage, incense, lanterns, betel leaves, fruits, cakes, sweets, wine, beer…
New Year’s Eve worship is extremely important to many families, so this ritual needs to be carefully prepared from purifying the sincerity of the worshiper, to preparing the offerings and choosing the right time to begin the incense offering.
This information should be considered for reference and exploration
The Origin and Meaning of Lunar New Year: Exploring the Celebration
The vibrant and joyous celebration of Lunar New Year is a festival steeped in tradition and held dearly by the Vietnamese people. This article will explain to you the rich history and symbolism behind this important event – Tet!
Fun Ideas to Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Family and Friends
As families and friends prepare to celebrate the start of another year, the activities they partake in on New Year’s Eve can greatly influence their luck, fortune and health in the upcoming year. To make the most of this special evening, here are some meaningful activities to do on New Year’s Eve.
Explore Fun Places to Visit in Saigon for a Memorable Tet Holiday
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with fun and relaxation! Take a look at these fantastic Tet fun spots in Saigon, all within close proximity to the amazing Dien May XANH. Prepare to be amazed by the beauty at these wonderful gathering places!
How to Get Ready for the Tet Holiday Celebrations in Vietnam
This Tet season, make your home extra special and festive with the aid of XANH Electronics! Get ready to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your family and friends with their useful tips and tools. Discover the importance of pre-Tet preparations and start sprucing up now!
Celebrating the Full Moon of the Lunar Calendar for Good Luck and Success in the New Year
Welcome to the full moon day of the first lunar month, a beloved celebration among the Vietnamese! Learn about the traditional activities people observe to bring luck and success in the upcoming year.
