On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Vietnamese families perform a ritual to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods, who journey to heaven on a golden carp to report on the family’s activities over the past year. This tradition is deeply rooted in Vietnamese folk beliefs.
1 Why Write a Memorial Tablet for the Kitchen Gods?
Annually, on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, Vietnamese folklore holds that the Kitchen Gods ride a golden carp to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor on what they have observed on Earth.
According to ancient beliefs, the Kitchen Gods are the right-hand aides of the Jade Emperor, closely monitoring the lives of mortals and reporting back to him at the end of each year on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month.
These gods not only symbolize luck and prosperity but also ward off evil spirits and maintain peace for the family. Thus, the ritual of offering sacrifices to the Kitchen Gods is a way for people to express their respect and gratitude to these gods for their protection throughout the year.
The Kitchen Gods will impartially report all the good and bad deeds of mortals to the Jade Emperor. The ceremony also marks the transition from the old year to the new, and from this day on, people start preparing for the upcoming new year.
For further reference:
2 When and Who Should Write the Memorial Tablet?
Householders, business owners, and traders are encouraged to write memorial tablets for the Kitchen Gods as it is believed that doing so will bring them luck and prosperity in the coming year.
The memorial tablets are typically written on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month each year.
For further reference:
3 Sample Memorial Tablet for the Kitchen Gods
“Nam Quốc…”
*Province…
*City…
*Location. Ward, Commune, or Village…
*Disciple… Name…
Today, on the … at …
We respectfully invite the Kitchen Gods of the heavenly court, the gods of the three realms, and all divine beings.
We invite the gods of the heavenly, earthly, and watery realms, as well as the gods of music, whose power encompasses all things. We respectfully invite the gods of the land and the city’s patron god to issue a decree to the Kitchen Gods of the heavenly court.
We invite the Kitchen God, the God of Destiny, and the God of the Kitchen God’s Realm. We invite the gods of the four directions to descend upon us.
We invite the Door Gods, the Gods of Blessings, the Gods of Calm Waters, and the Gods of Fire from above.
We invite the Gods of the Stove, the Three Gods of the Stove, the Gods of the Toilet, and the Gods who watch over the family’s wardrobe and possessions. We invite the Five Emperors of the Five Directions.
May the Kitchen God ride the golden carp to heaven and proclaim the family’s good deeds. We offer incense and perform a purification ritual with sincerity and respect.
To the Kitchen Gods of the Nine Heavens’ Kitchen, we present this memorial tablet with reverence:
Oh, mighty gods of the heavenly kitchen, your reach extends to every household. We revere you, the炎Emperor, for nurturing all living beings.
We, your humble disciples, are forever grateful for your protection throughout the year. We offer our gratitude for your constant presence in our daily lives.
Yet, we acknowledge our shortcomings. In our speech and actions, we may have strayed from propriety and ritual. In preparing our meals, we may have inadvertently included forbidden ingredients or contaminated our food.
Unaware of the taboos, we may have offended the Great King of the Kitchen Gods, inviting calamity and disharmony into our homes. Our businesses may have faltered, our families may have suffered ill health, and our livestock may have borne diseases.
Humbly, we offer our prayers to the auspicious gods of the north and the west, beseeching their blessings.
With reverence, we present a copy of the sacred scripture of the Kitchen God’s Realm and a copy of the prayer for your blessing.
We sincerely bow before you.
We offer our highest respects to the Kitchen Gods of the Nine Heavens and the Great Emperor of the East, who bestows good fortune.
We pray that you will forgive our transgressions, increase our blessings and longevity, turn bad luck into good, ensure our safety, and hear our humble pleas.
Heavenly year… month… day…”
Now you understand the significance of writing a memorial tablet to bid farewell to the Kitchen Gods on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. If this is your first time performing this ritual, feel free to use the above sample as a guide.
The Legend of Ong Tao Ascending to Heaven in Vietnamese Culture
On the 23rd of December, the Vietnamese family commenced the ritual of worshipping the Kitchen God. This is a fascinating custom among the Vietnamese people, which holds mysterious tales and intriguing aspects about this deity.
The Best Day to Light Incense for Lunar New Year 2024
What is the significance of the “Bao saibat hương” tradition, and which day of the last lunar month of 2023 is considered the most auspicious?
What day is the 23rd of Chạp – the Kitchen Gods’ Day in 2024?
On the 23rd of December every year, families will hold a ceremony to bid farewell to the Kitchen God and report to the Jade Emperor the events that have happened throughout the year. What is the date of 23rd December this year in the Gregorian calendar?
The Significance of Vietnamese Incense-burning Culture: Do you truly understand?
Incense is a cherished tradition in Vietnamese culture that has been passed down through generations. Lighting incense is a way to show respect, gratitude, and reverence towards our ancestors, grandparents, and divine beings. It is a beautiful and meaningful practice that holds a special place in the hearts of Vietnamese people.
Releasing carp on the bridge and littering plastic bags is a significant mistake on the day of the Kitchen Gods
The tradition of releasing carps on the day of the Kitchen God is a beautiful custom of the Vietnamese people. However, a considerable number of people have misunderstood its meaning and turned it into an ugly aspect of Vietnamese culture.
