Have you ever wondered why, on New Year’s Eve, the rooster is the one offering prayers instead of the hen? Additionally, why does the rooster hold a beautiful red rose in its mouth?
According to legend, when Jade Emperor created the Earth, it was extremely cold and damp, and only 10 suns provided light during the day and at night. There were too many suns, causing the land to dry up and crack. Therefore, a brave warrior used his bow to shoot down the suns, bringing down 9 of them. The last sun was frightened and flew up high, never daring to come out again. At this time, the Earth became cold and dark. Humans and animals called for the sun to come back. No creature was able to call it back, except for the healthy and strong rooster that crowed, piquing the curiosity of the sun, causing it to gradually lower its position and illuminating the Earth once again.
Therefore, during New Year’s Eve, which is the darkest night, as the sun hides itself the most, people raise their roosters to wake up the sun and bring sunshine for the whole year.
In addition, our ancestors believed that the reason why the rooster is chosen for prayers on New Year’s Eve is because roosters possess 5 virtues:
– Literature: the rooster’s crest resembles the cap of a scholar, symbolizing literary arts.
– Martial: the rooster’s spur is a weapon, symbolizing martial arts.
– Courage: always ready to fight and protect its flock, symbolizing bravery.
– Humanity: the rooster always calls its flock before eating together, never eating alone, symbolizing the virtue of compassion.
– Punctuality: always crowing at the right time, regardless of the weather or the season, symbolizing punctuality.
Therefore, for a long time, during the New Year’s Eve prayers or ancestral worship on Tet, we cannot be without boiled rooster and the dish of sticky rice dyed red with gac fruit, even though it no longer signifies “calling the sun” as in the past. However, it is still done with the desire for luck and good health for the family throughout the year. And this rooster must be a rooster, facing the incense and holding a red rose in its mouth to symbolize luck, bringing the red fortune for the whole year.
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