According to Vietnamese folk beliefs, on the day of the Kitchen God’s worship, every family worships carp to symbolize the vehicle for the Kitchen God to ride to heaven. However, not everyone knows how to choose and release carp properly. Please refer to this article to learn more about the tips for choosing and releasing carp to worship the Kitchen God properly!
1 How to Buy Carp for Worship
How to Buy Carp for Worship
Carp is the main vehicle to help the Kitchen God “pass through Wu Men and transform into a dragon.” Therefore, choosing carp is very important. The carp offered to the Kitchen God must be red, large, healthy, with no scratches on the body, and intact scales.
When choosing carp, to know if the fish is healthy, you can check its gills. If the gills are bright red, it means the fish is healthy; if they are dark red, the fish is weak and likely to die. Also, if the fish swims and flaps vigorously when it touches the water surface, it is a sign of a healthy carp.
After buying the carp, you should put it in a basin of clean water with some algae to help it adapt. It is recommended to use river or well water as tap water often contains chlorine, which can kill the fish.
2 How Many Carp Should Be Offered to the Kitchen God?
How Many Carp Should Be Offered to the Kitchen God?
The number of carp offered depends on the beliefs and traditions of each family. One carp can be offered as a symbol, or a pair of carp, or three carp for the three Kitchen Gods.
3 How to Release Carp to Worship the Kitchen God
What Time to Release Carp to Send the Kitchen God to Heaven?
What Time to Release Carp to Send the Kitchen God to Heaven?
According to folk beliefs, carp should be released before noon (before 12 pm) on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month so that the fish has enough time to reach the heavenly court. Therefore, from the evening of the 22nd to the morning of the 23rd, many people rush to release the carp.
How to Release Carp According to Customs
So, how should carp be released to show respect and follow the customs and traditions of Vietnamese people? You should choose a quiet and clean pond, lake, or river where releasing carp is allowed. When bringing the carp to the release site, you should keep the fish in a basin or plastic bag and go to the edge of the pond or lake, ensuring a spacious and unpolluted area.
How to Release Carp According to Customs
When releasing the carp, gently tilt the basin or bag to let the fish swim out into the water. Do not dump the fish from a height, as this can cause damage to its belly and gills, leading to its death. Also, remove the plastic bag before releasing the carp to avoid environmental pollution and harming the fish, which may not be able to escape.
After releasing the carp, observe if it swims away to prevent people from taking advantage and recapturing the released fish. Your mental state during the release is also essential; keep a calm and happy mind, and do not see it as a burden or obligation, as this will bring good fortune.
For reference:
The Meaning of Releasing Carp on the 23rd of the Twelfth Lunar Month
Every year, on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, each family prepares offerings and cooks a feast to send the Kitchen God to heaven. Carp is an indispensable offering. On this day, the Kitchen God will ride the carp to heaven to report on the family’s behavior and events of the past year.
Explaining why carp is used as an offering, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong of the Academy of Journalism and Propaganda said: “Carp is one of the Three Births and symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and abundance.” Thus, the tradition of releasing carp on this day is to wish for good fortune and prosperity for the family.
Releasing Carp Symbolizes the Wish for Prosperity and Good Fortune
Additionally, releasing carp also implies ‘carp turning into a dragon’ – the carp at Wu Men transforms into a dragon. Dragons are spiritual creatures with many symbolic meanings and are considered beneficial to farmers. Moreover, the transformation of the Wu Men carp into a dragon represents perseverance and overcoming challenges to achieve success.
4 Related Questions
Can Paper Carp Be Used for the Kitchen God Worship?
According to Professor Ngo Duc Thinh, Director of the Center for Research and Preservation of Vietnamese Religious Belief Culture, both real and paper carp can be used for the Kitchen God worship. It depends on the family’s circumstances and convenience.
For reference: Should Real or Paper Carp Be Used for the Kitchen God Worship?
Can Paper Carp Be Used for the Kitchen God Worship?
Is It Mandatory to Offer Carp to the Kitchen God?
It is not mandatory to offer live carp to the Kitchen God. You can use paper carp, a plate with a carp image, or carp-shaped cakes. In some places, paper horses are also used for the worship.
For reference: Why Does the Kitchen God Ride Only a Carp to Heaven?
What If the Carp Offered to the Kitchen God Dies?
The carp offered to the Kitchen God should be handled carefully to avoid death, as it may bring bad luck. When releasing the carp, do it gently, and do not release it from a height or in polluted water.
Related Questions
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