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Why do roosters always hold a rose on New Year’s Eve? Can they hold a chrysanthemum or orchid?

The tradition of offering ceremonial chicken along with roses seems to have become a cliché when families are preparing for ancestral worship.

Administrator

10 February, 2024

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Do you know why the rooster offered as a sacrifice on New Year’s Eve always holds a red rose in its mouth and not other flowers like daisies or orchids?

In the customs of the Vietnamese people, especially during the Lunar New Year, sacrificing a rooster is a common tradition. In this ritual, the rooster chosen for the sacrifice is often adorned with a red rose. So what does the red rose symbolize and why is it preferred in this way? Let’s explore the reasons below!

The significance of the rooster holding a red rose

Everyone knows that roses are often seen as a symbol of love and loyalty in relationships. In particular, the red rose is not only beautiful but also represents certainty when placed in the rooster’s mouth, thanks to its sturdier petals compared to other flowers like daisies, lilies, or tulips.

From a feng shui perspective, the red rose also symbolizes good luck and fortune, as well as the expression of love and happiness within a family. Therefore, having the rooster hold a red rose in its mouth during New Year’s Eve, a sacred moment of the new year, signifies bidding farewell to the misfortunes of the past year and welcoming a prosperous and safe year ahead.

At the same time, it also represents love, unity, and the bond of family. For this reason, during this important moment, people often choose a rooster for the sacrifice, and its mouth is filled with a red rose.

Placing the rooster correctly to attract good luck

According to some folk beliefs, whether the rooster faces inwards or outwards does not hold significant meaning. When the rooster faces outwards, the altar looks more visually appealing, and only the act of offering the piece of chicken is enough. This is a common viewpoint among the people.

However, from a feng shui perspective, placing the rooster facing the altar carries a special meaning. The rooster knows how to crow, knows how to sing, and when it faces the altar, it shows respect for the gods and ancestors. The rooster facing outwards symbolizes welcoming the light of dawn, an expression of development and prosperity.

Conversely, when the rooster faces inwards, it represents the homeowner’s respect for those of higher status. However, this arrangement still holds positive meaning, depending on the viewpoint and practice of each family.

In the ancient beliefs of the Vietnamese people, the rooster is seen as a bridge between the human world and the world of the gods. Therefore, placing the rooster facing towards the incense bowl helps the homeowner convey prayers and blessings to their ancestors and gods in a complete and spiritual manner.