The image of Ong Cong and Ong Tao riding a carp to heaven on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month each year is probably no longer strange to the consciousness of Vietnamese people. Through the following article, you will find out why carps have become the means to bring the Kitchen Gods to heaven every New Year Eve.
1 What is the legend of Ong Cong and Ong Tao?
According to Vietnamese folklore, the Kitchen Gods are “two males and one female” – the Gods of Land, House, and Kitchen. In ancient times, there was a wife named Thi Nhi and her husband, Trong Cao, who lived happily together. However, one day, they had a big fight, and out of anger and resentment, the wife left. Thi Nhi wandered to a village, met Pham Lang, fell in love, and got married.
What is the legend of Ong Cong and Ong Tao?
Later, Trong Cao regretted and went to look for his wife. He wandered everywhere, even resorting to begging to survive, but to no avail.
On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month, while begging, Trong Cao coincidentally met his ex-wife, Thi Nhi, who was burning fake money and paper offerings in front of her house. Out of pity for her ex-husband, she gave him some rice. However, Pham Lang saw this and became suspicious. Feeling ashamed and sad, Thi Nhi jumped into the fire and took her own life. Trong Cao, seeing this, rushed into the fire as well. Pham Lang, out of love for his wife, also jumped into the fire to die with them.
Ngoc Hoang, the Jade Emperor, felt sorry for their tragic love story and bestowed upon the three of them the title of Kitchen Gods, helping him oversee the affairs of the kitchen, land, and markets of mortals, and report to him on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month every year.
For further reference:
2 Why do Ong Cong and Ong Tao ride only a carp to heaven?
In folklore, there is a story often told about “The Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate”. One year, due to a severe drought, Heaven held a contest to find an aquatic creature that could become a dragon. The competition had three rounds with three violent waves, and any creature that could surpass them would transform into a dragon.
The legend of the carp turning into a Dragon
Among the participants, the carp emerged victorious due to its determination and perseverance. Despite the strength of the waves and the fierceness of the wind, the carp remained resolute and persistent, eventually reaching the Dragon Gate. Thus, the carp transformed into a dragon and ascended to heaven, bringing rain to all and restoring a prosperous and happy life.
Carp ascending to heaven
According to Professor Kieu Thu Hoach, a senior researcher at the Institute for Folk Culture Research, this belief stems from the “Vietnamese folk belief that carps can transform into dragons and ascend to heaven.” Therefore, the Vietnamese adapted the custom of worshipping the Kitchen Gods and chose the carp as their mode of transportation to heaven.”
On this matter, Professor Tran Lam Bien also shared that, in the concept of yin and yang, the carp symbolizes yin and is associated with the moon, hence its ability to ascend to heaven.
Ong Tao riding a carp
Additionally, the carp is also considered a symbol of health, peace, prosperity, wealth, and good fortune. Moreover, as the carp has become a dragon, it is also regarded as a celestial creature, revered almost as much as the dragon itself.
Releasing the carp
Hence, the carp-turned-dragon is believed to possess extraordinary divine power, making it the ideal and exclusive means of transportation for Ong Cong and Ong Tao to ascend to heaven, and no other creature can replace it.
For further reference: Guide to the rituals, timing, and methods of worshipping Ong Cong and Ong Tao comprehensively in 2024
3 When do Ong Cong and Ong Tao ride the carp to heaven?
Ong Cong and Ong Tao riding the carp to heaven
On the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month every year, each family prepares to send off the Kitchen Gods to heaven. On New Year’s Eve, the Kitchen Gods return to the mortal realm and continue their duty of guarding the kitchen fire.
According to Vietnamese beliefs, on this day, the Kitchen Gods will ascend to heaven and report to the Jade Emperor about the events that occurred in each family during the past year.
One of the essential offerings during the worship of the Kitchen Gods is the carp. According to folklore, the Kitchen Gods will ride the carp to the Jade Emperor’s palace to make their report.
4 Why do we release carp during the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao?
The custom of releasing carp during the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao symbolizes “the carp transforming into a dragon,” carrying the Kitchen Gods to heaven, where they report the happenings of the mortal realm to the Jade Emperor.
The carp offered to the Kitchen Gods must be red, strong, healthy, with an intact body and scales. People release the carp in a clean pond or lake before noon on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month to ensure the carp has enough time to reach the Jade Emperor’s palace in heaven.
During the worship ceremony, it is customary to prepare various dishes, including boiled, roasted, or fried dishes, pickled onions, sticky rice with gac fruit, pork pie, mushroom soup, grilled dishes, fresh vegetables, wine, betel and areca nuts, and, of course, the carp.
Why do we release carp during the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao?
For further reference: The proper way to release carp during the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao
The above explanations shed light on the tradition of releasing carp during the worship of Ong Cong and Ong Tao on the 23rd of the twelfth lunar month. Regardless of the reasons, the image of Ong Tao riding a carp to heaven remains a beautiful and familiar part of Vietnamese culture during the Lunar New Year celebrations each year.
Buy this type of fish when you go to the market: Naturally raised, healthier than bird’s nest, affordable prices
If you come across these kinds of fish while shopping at the market, you should buy them immediately. They are incredibly delicious and nutritious.
Go grab this amazing deal now: A fish with the nutritional value of ginseng, but at a bargain price!
Even though they are cheap and widely sold everywhere, these fish are surprisingly delicious and nutritious.
8 Nutrient-rich ‘Superfish’ as Good as ‘Cordyceps’, Eat Comfortably without Worrying about Weight Gain
These types of fish are not only delicious and affordable, but also highly nutritious. They are low in fat and can be enjoyed in large quantities without the fear of gaining weight.
Fish Lovers Alert: Get Your Hands on This Amazing Deal – Extra Nutritious Fish with Wild Bird Nest and Affordable Ginseng!
When going to market and encountering this type of fish, housewives should buy it right away because it is a type of fish that contains many nutrients, good for health.
Small Fish Seller: Get this type of fish at the market, it’s as nutritious as ginseng and bird’s nest, and the price is affordable.
These types of fish are highly nutritious, selling in large quantities while being affordable. If you come across them, make sure to actively buy them for daily consumption!
