The Legend of the Kitchen God: A Vietnamese Tradition
According to Vietnamese tradition, the 23rd of December is the day when families perform the ritual of worshipping the Kitchen God, who is believed to preside over the kitchen and watch over the family. This custom is deeply rooted in the country’s cultural heritage, with its origins dating back to ancient times. Join us as we delve into the fascinating tale of the Kitchen God’s ascent to heaven and explore the rich traditions associated with this beloved deity.
1The Legend of the Kitchen God’s Ascension: A Tale of Two Husbands and One Wife
The Kitchen God, or Tao Quan in Vietnamese folklore, is believed to originate from the three Chinese deities of Tu Di, Tu Dia, and Tu Ki. However, in Vietnam, the legend evolved into a story of “two husbands and one wife” – the Gods of Earth, Home, and Kitchen. These three deities are collectively known as the Kitchen God and play a significant role in the country’s cultural and spiritual traditions.
According to the folk tale, there once lived a couple, Thi Nhi and Trong Cao, whose love for each other knew no bounds. However, one day, in a fit of anger, Trong Cao upset Thi Nhi to the point where she decided to leave. Thi Nhi wandered to a nearby village, where she met Pham Lang, and they soon fell in love and married.
The Legend of the Kitchen God: A Tale of Two Husbands and One Wife
Time passed, and Trong Cao’s anger subsided. Overcome with remorse and longing for his wife, he set out on a journey to find her. Trong Cao traveled far and wide, but his search left him destitute. On the 23rd of December, a destitute Trong Cao chanced upon Thi Nhi burning paper money and offerings outside her home. Recognizing her husband, Thi Nhi’s heart filled with compassion, and she offered him some rice. Pham Lang, witnessing this interaction, became suspicious of his wife’s fidelity. Consumed by shame and unable to bear the accusations, Thi Nhi threw herself into the burning pyre. Trong Cao, driven by his love and gratitude, followed suit, choosing to die alongside his beloved wife. Pham Lang, tormented by the tragic turn of events, also leaped into the flames to join them.
On the 23rd of December, the Vietnamese bid farewell to the Kitchen God as he ascends to heaven.
Their heartbreaking story reached the heavens, and Ngoc Hoang, the King of Gods, took pity on them. In a gesture of compassion, Ngoc Hoang bestowed upon the three the title of Kitchen God, entrusting them with the task of overseeing the hearth, land, and markets of the mortal realm. Each year, on the 23rd of December, they would ascend to heaven to report on the affairs of humanity to Ngoc Hoang.
Hence, the tradition of worshipping the Kitchen God on this day holds great significance for the Vietnamese people, who bid farewell to the deity as he embarks on his annual journey to heaven.
2The Significance of Worshipping the Kitchen God
The Kitchen God holds a special place in Vietnamese culture, closely observing the daily lives of families as the eyes and ears of Ngoc Hoang.
Throughout the year, the Kitchen God records the deeds and misdeeds of mortals, keeping a meticulous account of their actions. On the 23rd of December, he returns to heaven to deliver his report to Ngoc Hoang, who then bestows rewards for good behavior and punishments for wrongdoing.
To honor the Kitchen God and seek his blessings, Vietnamese families hold a grand ceremony on this day, offering incense, fruits, and a pair of hats for the Kitchen God and his wife. They pray for his favor, asking him to speak of their virtues and good deeds to Ngoc Hoang, bringing prosperity and good fortune in the coming year.
The Significance of Worshipping the Kitchen God
3The Kitchen God in Other Cultures and His Mode of Transportation
The worship of the Kitchen God is not unique to Vietnam, as he is also revered in other Asian countries such as Taiwan, China, and Singapore. In these cultures, the 23rd of December marks a similar tradition of bidding farewell to the Kitchen God as he ascends to heaven.
While the Kitchen God’s role and significance remain consistent across cultures, the mode of his celestial transportation varies. In Vietnamese folklore, it is believed that the Kitchen God rides a golden carp to heaven, a symbol of good luck and success. This belief stems from the ancient tale of the carp that leaped over the Vu Mon waterfall, transforming into a powerful dragon.
However, in some regions of Vietnam, as well as in China and Taiwan, it is believed that the Kitchen God rides a horse to heaven. Thus, during the ceremony, paper horses are also burned as offerings to aid his celestial journey.
4The Significance of the Kitchen God’s Departure and the Ancestral Welcoming Ceremony During Tet
In Vietnamese culture, from the 23rd of December until New Year’s Eve, there is a ritual of bidding farewell to the Kitchen God but no formal welcoming ceremony upon his return. Conversely, there is a ritual to welcome the ancestors (on New Year’s Eve) but no formal send-off. Why is that?
The Significance of the Kitchen God’s Departure and the Ancestral Welcoming Ceremony During Tet
According to folk beliefs, the Kitchen God’s return to the mortal realm is not set on a specific date, as it depends on the annual schedule of the heavenly court. The Kitchen God can only descend to Earth once the Thien Tao Phat Su (Heavenly Court’s Conference) concludes, and this date is solely determined by Ngoc Hoang. Thus, the absence of a formal welcoming ceremony for the Kitchen God.
The ancestral altar during Tet, where offerings are made to welcome the ancestors.
On the other hand, the ancestral welcoming ceremony on New Year’s Eve is a way to invite and honor the ancestors who are not directly worshipped in the family’s altar, such as distant ancestors and those from the maternal side. This ceremony is a way of inviting all the ancestors to join the family for a festive meal during Tet.
There is no formal send-off for the ancestors because the living descendants wish for these beloved guests to stay and celebrate with them for as long as they desire. And so, the cycle continues, with the living descendants performing the welcoming ceremony for their ancestors year after year.
The worship of the Kitchen God is an integral part of Vietnamese culture, symbolizing the people’s respect for tradition and their hopes for a prosperous and blessed year ahead.
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