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The Ultimate Guide to 16 Traditional Craft Guild Ancestor Worship Days: Rituals and Practices

Discover the 16 most renowned days dedicated to venerating our professional ancestors and learn how to pay homage to your own occupational ancestors. Uncover the traditions and rituals observed by practitioners across diverse trades, each with their unique patron deities. Embrace the opportunity to connect with your professional lineage and seek blessings for success and prosperity in your chosen field.

Administrator

11 July, 2024

Ancestral Worship for professions is a significant spiritual ritual for anyone engaged in a particular trade or profession in society. It expresses gratitude and remembrance for the contributions of ancestors who founded and developed the profession, as well as wishes for a smooth and prosperous career.

Join us as we explore the 16 most famous Ancestral Worship days for professions and learn about the rituals involved in this meaningful tradition through this article!

1Significance of Ancestral Worship for Professions

Ancestral Worship for professions is also known as Worshipping the Founding Masters or the Holy Ancestors, believed to be the founders and propagators of specific trades and professions in society.

On the other hand, some ancient professions may not have a known founder, but their development and prosperity are attributed to later individuals. Thus, Ancestral Worship may also honor those who have preserved and advanced a profession for future generations.

Significance of Ancestral Worship for Professions

This ritual is a cultural tradition in our nation, serving as a reminder of longstanding values and an opportunity for practitioners to come together, reinforcing their faith in their chosen profession.

Moreover, Ancestral Worship for professions conveys wishes and prayers for peace, prosperity, and success in one’s work throughout the year.

2Famous Ancestral Worship Days for Professions

Here is a list of some well-known Ancestral Worship days for various professions:

Ancestral Worship Day for the Medical Profession: 15th day of the first lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Construction and Mechanical Engineering Profession: 20th day of the first lunar month
Ancestral Worship Days for the Trading Profession: 10th to 15th day of the third lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Hairdressing Profession: 16th day of the third lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Tattoo and Piercing Profession: 22nd or 16th day of the third lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Baking Profession: 18th day of the fifth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Embroidery Profession: 12th day of the sixth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Days for the Carpentry Profession: 13th day of the sixth lunar month and 20th day of the twelfth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Performing Arts Profession: 12th day of the eighth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Makeup Profession: 12th day of the eighth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Days for the Spa Profession: 18th day of the eighth lunar month or 3rd day of the eleventh lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Nail Care Profession: 3rd day of the tenth lunar month or 13th day of the eleventh lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Accounting Profession: 10th day of November (Gregorian calendar)
Ancestral Worship Day for the Tailoring Profession: 12th day of the twelfth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Automotive Repair Profession: 12th day of the twelfth lunar month
Ancestral Worship Day for the Mechanical Engineering Profession: 20th day of the twelfth lunar month (20th day of the last lunar month).

Famous Ancestral Worship Days for Professions

3How to Perform Ancestral Worship for Professions?

To conduct Ancestral Worship for professions, a profession-specific altar is typically required. If one does not exist, practitioners can contribute to establishing one at a convenient location.

Setting up an Altar for Ancestral Worship

The altar serves as a place for practitioners to offer incense and pay respects regularly. The setup may vary depending on the profession and beliefs. Here are some general guidelines:

Consult a Feng Shui master to determine the most auspicious direction for the altar, as this can bring smoother operations and greater career success.
Avoid placing the altar in the middle of an entrance or under a window.
Choose a quiet and solemn location for the altar.
Consider placing greenery near the altar to enhance vitality and attract wealth.
Maintain the altar’s cleanliness, ensuring it remains free from dust and neglect.

How to Perform Ancestral Worship for Professions

Offerings for Ancestral Worship

Each profession may have unique offerings, but there are also some standard items, including:

2 bouquets of fresh flowers
2 large candles
A tray of five types of fruit
, white rice, dried tea, and sweet rice wine
1 plate of betel and areca nuts
Savory dishes: steamed sticky rice, boiled or roasted chicken, boiled or roasted pork, sweet and savory cakes, etc.
5 long incense sticks

Performing Ancestral Worship

The representative of the village or guild, dressed appropriately and solemnly, will offer incense and prayers after carefully preparing the offerings. The ritual includes the following steps:

Light the candles and pour wine into 1, 3, or 5 cups
Light 1, 3, or 5 incense sticks, then pray and place the incense in the incense burner
Read the prayer for Ancestral Worship, bowing once after each section
Wait for the incense to burn out mostly
Pray to conclude the ceremony and burn the gold and silver paper offerings
Sprinkle rice, salt, and wine around the altar

We hope this article provided you with valuable insights into the popular Ancestral Worship days for professions and the rituals involved. May your career be blessed with abundance and success!

Frequently asked questions

These 16 days are dedicated to honoring the ancestors and craft guilds, with each day representing a specific craft and its patron ancestor. The rituals and practices associated with these days are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and success to those who participate.

The worship days are spread throughout the year, with most of them falling between the 4th and 10th lunar months. Each day has a specific date and time, and it is believed that performing the rituals at the correct time brings the most benefit.

Preparation typically involves cleaning and decorating the ancestral altar, preparing offerings such as food and incense, and inviting the ancestors and guild patrons to attend. Participants may also fast, purify themselves, and wear traditional clothing.

Rituals vary but may include chanting, praying, burning incense, offering food and drinks, and performing specific crafts. For example, on the Carpenter’s Day, participants may offer wooden sculptures or engage in wood-carving demonstrations.

Anyone can participate, regardless of their craft or trade. However, it is believed that those who are descendants of the craft guilds or have a strong connection to the specific trade will receive the most benefit.

These days hold significant cultural and spiritual value in Vietnam. They are a way to honor and respect the ancestors, seek their blessings, and maintain traditional crafts and practices. They also promote community cohesion and a sense of cultural identity.