On the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, a unique and fascinating tradition takes place in Vietnamese culture. Ong Cong and Ong Tao, the revered Kitchen Gods, embark on their annual journey to Heaven, riding a carp to meet the Jade Emperor and present their reports. These reports encompass all the events they have witnessed on Earth, both good and bad, and serve as a basis for the Heavenly Court to bestow rewards or punishments upon each family.
The Tale of Ong Tao’s Ascension to Heaven
This belief has given rise to a solemn ceremony known as the “sending-off of Ong Cong and Ong Tao to Heaven”, or simply the “sending-off of Ong Tao.” It is a time-honored tradition that holds great significance for the Vietnamese people.
The question of “When to worship Ong Cong Ong Tao” is of utmost importance to those who follow this tradition. According to folk traditions, the window for worshipping the Kitchen Gods typically begins on the 21st of the lunar month and concludes before noon (from 11 am to 1 pm) on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. This timeframe is crucial as it aligns with the moment when the gods gather to ascend to Heaven.
With this information, you can now better understand the annual day dedicated to worshipping Ong Tao. And, with only a few days left until this significant event, be sure to set aside time to pay your respects, even if your schedule is busy. If you’re unsure about the worship process, continue reading this article for a comprehensive guide.
1 The Significance of Worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao
In Vietnamese ancestral beliefs, the Kitchen God holds a prominent position as a deity who oversees and manages all family activities and is also responsible for safeguarding the home from evil spirits, ensuring peace and harmony within the household.
As such, the act of worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao carries a profound meaning. It is a time for families to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundance in the new year, while also paying homage to the “Stove God” who presides over the kitchen.
The Meaning of Worshiping Ong Cong Ong Tao
2 Worshipping Ong Tao 2024: A Significant Day
Mark your calendars, as the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month in 2024 falls on Friday, February 2nd. For those who will be working on this day, it’s important to note that you don’t have to worship exactly at noon. Instead, you can begin the ceremony anytime from the 21st, as long as it concludes before the specified timeframe on the 23rd.
Ong Cong Ong Tao 2024: A Day to Remember
3 A Comprehensive Guide to Worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao in 2024
Offerings for Ong Cong and Ong Tao
When preparing offerings for Ong Tao, it’s essential to include the following traditional items:
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Three hats for Ong Cong: Two hats are for the male gods, and one hat is for the female god. The hats for the male Kitchen Gods are distinguished by their two wings, while the female Kitchen God’s hat has no wings. Symbolically, many people choose to offer just one hat for Ong Cong, featuring two wings.
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Carp: This symbolizes the mode of transportation for Ong Cong and Ong Tao on their journey to Heaven. You can opt for a paper carp or a real carp. In the Northern regions, people often present a live carp kept in a basin of water, symbolizing the “carp turning into a dragon.” In contrast, people in the Southern regions tend to favor paper carp.
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Paper money and gold: These offerings are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
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One shirt: The color of the shirt may vary according to the five elements, as detailed later in this guide.
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One pair of paper shoes: Like the shirt, the color of the shoes corresponds to the five elements.
Related:
Offerings for Ong Cong Ong Tao: A Display of Sincerity
It’s important to note that the colors of the hats, shirts, and shoes offered to Ong Tao correspond to the five elements:
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Metal element: Offer yellow hats, shirts, and shoes.
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Wood element: Opt for white hats, shirts, and shoes.
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Water element: Green hats, shirts, and shoes are appropriate.
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Fire element: Choose red hats, shirts, and shoes.
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Earth element: Black hats, shirts, and shoes are the preferred choice.
Additionally, families with children often include a boiled rooster in their offerings. This rooster should be a young male chicken that has just started crowing, symbolizing a plea to the Kitchen Gods to intercede with the Jade Emperor for blessings of strength, intelligence, and a dignified demeanor for the child as they grow.
Food Offerings for Ong Cong Ong Tao
The food offerings for Ong Tao can vary depending on the family’s circumstances and traditions. Here is a list of basic and traditional dishes that are commonly presented:
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1 plate of rice
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1 plate of salt
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3 cups of wine
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boiled chicken
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boiled or roasted pork
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Stir-fried mixed vegetables
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Pickled onions
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Xoi Gac (red sticky rice)
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Gio Heo (Vietnamese pork sausage)
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Canh Moc (meatball soup)
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Grilled carp (in Southern regions, grilled snakehead fish is often offered instead)
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Fresh fruits, betel leaves, and areca nuts, among others
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1 pack of paper money and gold
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1 pot of chrysanthemum flowers
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1 small pot of peach blossoms
Food Offerings for Ong Cong Ong Tao: A Heartfelt Gesture
It’s worth noting that modern times have brought simplifications to the food offerings for Ong Tao. It is no longer mandatory to prepare all the traditional dishes, and the specifics may vary based on regional culture, family circumstances, economic conditions, and personal preferences. Even a boiled chicken and some fruits can suffice if a family has limited means. Furthermore, certain regions, such as the North and South, have their own unique characteristics when it comes to food offerings.
To demonstrate sincerity, it is customary to arrange the food offerings solemnly on the family altar or a separate altar dedicated to Ong Tao.
Order of Worship for Ong Cong Ong Tao 2024
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Prepare the food offerings and other items mentioned above for Ong Cong Ong Tao.
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Light incense and recite the prayer to bid farewell to Ong Cong Ong Tao as they ascend to Heaven.
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After setting up the offerings and lighting incense, wait for the incense to burn out. Then, light another set of incense, express your gratitude, burn the paper money, and release the carp into a pond, lake, river, or stream…
4 Timing is Everything: The Best Time to Worship Ong Cong Ong Tao
According to feng shui experts, the ideal time to worship Ong Tao is before the Kitchen Gods depart for Heaven to present their reports to the Jade Emperor, which occurs at noon on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
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After setting up the offerings and lighting incense, wait for the incense to burn out. Then, light another set of incense and perform a thanksgiving ritual. Burn the paper money and release the carp into a body of water to symbolically carry Ong Tao to Heaven.
It is recommended to worship Ong Tao within the timeframe of 11 am to 1 pm on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. The most auspicious time frames for worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao in 2024 are as follows:
- Mau Ty (23:00-1:00): Thanh Long;
- Ky Suu (1:00-3:00): Minh Duong;
- Nham Thin (7:00-9:00): Kim Qui;
- Quy Ti (9:00-11:00): Bao Quang
After the worship ceremony, you can resume your regular activities in the kitchen once the incense has burned out.
Related: What are the luckiest time frames in 2024 for the year of the Wood Dragon?
5 Prayer for Worshipping Ong Cong and Ong Tao
Prayer: A Vital Component of the Worship Ceremony
The following prayer, extracted from the book Van Khan Co Truyen Viet Nam and published by Van Hoa Thong Tin Publishing House, is commonly used for worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao:
Nam mo a di da Phat!
Nam mo a di da Phat!
Nam mo a di da Phat!
Con lay chin phuong Troi, muoi phuong Chu Phat, Chu Phat muoi phuong
Con kinh lay Ngai dong tru Tu menh Tao phu Than quan.
Tin chu (chung) con la: ……………
Ng? tai: …………
Hom nay, ngay 23 thang Chap tin chu chung con thanh tam sap sua huong hoa pham luat, xiêm hài ao mu, kinh dang ton than. Thap nen tam huong tin chu con thanh tam kinh bai.
Chung con kinh moi Ngai dong tru Tu menh Tao phu Than quan hien linh truoc an huong thu le vat.
Cui xin Ton than gia an xa toi cho moi loi lam trong nam qua gia chu chung con sai pham. Xin Ton than ban phuoc loc, phu ho toan gia chung con, trai gai, gia tre suc khoe doi dao, an khang thinh vuong, van su tot lanh. Chung con le ban tam thanh, kinh le cau xin, mong Ton than phu ho do tri.
Nam mo a di da Phat!
Nam mo a di da Phat!
Nam mo a di da Phat!
While the above prayer is considered standard, it’s worth noting that different regions may have their own variations. Feel free to use the prayer that is commonly recited in your area.
Related:
6 Taboos to Avoid When Worshipping Ong Cong Ong Tao
Awareness of Taboos is Key to a Successful Ceremony
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Prior to reading the prayer, it is imperative to bathe and dress in a neat, modest, and respectful manner. This demonstrates the reverence and sincerity of the landowner towards the gods.
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The prayer must be recited with seriousness, sincerity, and clarity, in a loud voice.
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