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The Ultimate Guide to Offering Rituals for God of Wealth and Earth in 2024

The Via Than Tai ceremony on the 10th day of the month is a long-standing tradition for the Vietnamese people. Join us as we explore the important dos and don'ts of paying homage to the God of Fortune.

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18 July, 2024

On the 10th day of the first lunar month, Vietnamese families prepare offerings to worship the God of Wealth and the God of Earth, known as “Thần Tài” and “Ông Địa,” respectively. This tradition stems from the belief that paying homage to these deities will bring good fortune and prosperity for the coming year.

Related topic: Who are Thần Tài and Ông Địa, and why are they worshiped?

1 Understanding Thần Tài and Ông Địa

Ông Địa, also known as Thổ Công, is the deity who oversees the land and grounds of a family’s residence. He is often depicted as a jolly old man with a protruding belly, carrying a fan, and exuding a gentle and benevolent demeanor. Thần Tài, on the other hand, is the God of Wealth and is believed to bring financial luck and prosperity to families. He is typically portrayed as an elderly man with a long white beard, holding a bar of gold, and bearing a kind and compassionate expression.

The deities Thần Tài and Ông Địa are worshiped by many Vietnamese families.

Related topic: What is the best day to worship Thần Tài, and what should be offered on this occasion?

2 The Ritual of Worshiping Thần Tài and Ông Địa

Ideal Time for Worshiping Thần Tài

According to feng shui experts, the most auspicious time to offer incense to Thần Tài is in the morning between 7 and 9 a.m. (hour of the dragon). It is recommended to clean the altar dedicated to Thần Tài before the worship ritual.

While Vietnamese families may pay homage to Thần Tài daily or monthly, the most significant day for this worship is considered to be the 10th day of the first lunar month, also known as the birthday of Thần Tài.

Timing is crucial when worshiping Thần Tài.

Placement of the Altar

The altar for Thần Tài should not be positioned in front of a bathroom or near garbage bins or women’s clothing. This is to avoid any form of desecration or impurity associated with the deity. The altar and its surroundings must always be kept clean and tidy.

Related topic: Learn about the proper placement of the altar for Thần Tài and Ông Địa.

Offerings for the worship of Thần Tài.

Preparing for the Worship Ritual

Cleansing the Altar

It is essential to purify the altar with pomelo leaves or clean water mixed with a little white wine to bathe both Thần Tài and Ông Địa. Afterward, wipe down and tidy up the altar space to maintain a clean and airy environment. Many families also opt to redecorate the altar with new decorations in the hope of attracting positive energy and good fortune for the household.

Cleansing the altar before the worship ritual.

Preparing the Offerings

For the worship of Thần Tài, it is customary to offer savory dishes. These may include delicacies such as braised pork belly, chicken, fruits, and daily beverages.

According to folk beliefs, Shen Tai particularly enjoys roasted pig and yellow braised eggs. Families can prepare offerings according to their means and traditions.

Preparing offerings for the worship of Thần Tài.

Choosing Fruits for the Offering

When selecting fruits for the offering, it is recommended to opt for fresh, fragrant fruits with buds. Avoid using artificial flowers or paper flowers. Popular choices for fruit offerings include apples, bananas, oranges, peaches, and pomegranates.

Choosing fresh and fragrant fruits for the offering.

Offerings for the Worship Ritual

Main Dish, consisting of 300g of braised pork belly (either boiled or roasted), 3 boiled eggs (duck or chicken), and 3 boiled shrimp or crab.
Grilled Snakehead Fish: This fish should be left whole and grilled.
Five types of fruits: Options may include apples, mangoes, dragon fruits, grapes, and watermelons.
A bouquet of fresh, vibrant flowers such as chrysanthemums or lilies.
A set of gold and silver paper money for burning as offerings.
A pack of cigarettes with two cigarettes protruding from the pack.
A plate of five types of nuts and a plate of five types of candies.
A tray of gold paper to symbolize wealth.
Two incense burners.
Two small lamps.
A tray of water with three cups and two glasses of wine.

Note: The whole grilled snakehead fish symbolizes the hardships and scarcity faced by our ancestors during the early days of land reclamation. They valued every part of the fish as nourishment and a means to sustain their livelihood.

Offerings for the worship of Thần Tài.

Incantation for Worshiping Thần Tài

Here is an incantation for worshiping Thần Tài (adapted from the book “Vietnamese Traditional Incantations” published by the Information and Culture Publishing House):

Nam mô a di Đà Phật! (Namo Amitabha Buddha)
Nam mô a di Đà Phật!
Nam mô a di Đà Phật!

– I bow to the Nine Heavens, the Ten Directions, and the Buddhas of the Ten Directions.
– I respectfully bow to the Emperor of Heaven, the Queen Mother of the West, and all the deities.
– I respectfully bow to the Kitchen God, the Guardian of the Hearth.
– I respectfully bow to the God of Wealth.
– I respectfully bow to the deities and the Earth God who govern this land.

My name is………………………………………
I reside at………………………………………………
Today is the…….day of the…….month of the year…………….

I, with sincerity, have prepared incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea, and fruits, and now respectfully invite the God of Wealth to descend upon this altar and witness my sincerity. Please accept these offerings and bestow upon me blessings of safety, good health, prosperity, and abundance. May my family be blessed with flourishing luck, expanding wealth, spiritual growth, and the fulfillment of all our wishes and aspirations. Our offerings may be humble, but they are presented with utmost sincerity. Please accept them and grant us your protection and blessings.

Nam mô a di Đà Phật!
Nam mô a di Đà Phật!
Nam mô a di Đà Phật!

Reciting the correct incantation is of utmost importance when inviting the God of Wealth to descend upon the altar. Families should read the incantation aloud during the worship ritual to invoke blessings and smooth sailing in all endeavors.

Related topic: Learn about the proper incantation for worshiping Thần Tài.

3 Important Considerations during the Worship Ritual

Things to keep in mind when worshiping Thần Tài monthly.

The amount of wealth and prosperity received is believed to depend on the sincerity of the worshiper, their virtue, and their destiny. Here are some additional considerations to ensure a successful worship ritual:

Replace the drinking water, refresh the flowers, and display a bunch of ripe bananas.
Prevent dogs and cats from disturbing the altar and causing desecration.
Clean the altar regularly, and bathe the statue of Thần Tài on the last day and the 14th day of the lunar month using pomelo leaves or a mixture of wine and water. The cloth used for bathing the statue should not be used for other purposes.
After offering rice and salt, store them for future use instead of discarding them. This is believed to bring good luck.
Burn gold and silver paper offerings outdoors, while wine or water should be sprinkled at the doorstep to symbolize inviting wealth into the house. Offerings like the “tam sên” (a trio of pork, eggs, and shrimp) or cakes should be shared within the family and not given to outsiders.

Performing the worship ritual on the 10th day of the first lunar month is considered crucial, as it is believed that welcoming the God of Wealth into the house will bring financial abundance for the year ahead.