The Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony: Discover the Richness of This Timeless Vietnamese Tradition

In Vietnamese culture, the Lunar New Year, or Tết, is the most significant celebration of the year. It is a time for families to come together, to honor their ancestors, and to pray for prosperity and happiness in the upcoming year. One of the most cherished rituals during this time is the farewell ceremony for Ông Công (the Land Genie) and Ông Táo (the Kitchen God), two important deities in Vietnamese folklore. This ceremony, which takes place on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, is a beautiful tradition that has been passed down through generations. It symbolizes respect for the guardian spirits of the household and serves as a wish for a prosperous new year.

The Role of Ông Công and Ông Táo

The Land Genie, House God, and Kitchen God in Vietnamese beliefs.
The Land Genie, House God, and Kitchen God in Vietnamese beliefs.
(Source: collected)

In Vietnamese beliefs, the Land Genie, House God, and Kitchen God play significant roles in protecting and overseeing the household. The Land Genie, known as Ông Công, is responsible for watching over the land, while the Kitchen God, Ông Táo, ensures the well-being of the family and the kitchen. These deities are believed to bless families with prosperity, good fortune, and harmony in the home. At the end of each lunar year, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, Ông Công and Ông Táo ascend to heaven to report to the Jade Emperor on the family’s activities during the past year. This annual report is thought to influence the family’s luck and prosperity in the coming year.

The Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony: A Symbolic Ritual

The farewell ceremony for Ông Công and Ông Táo is a deeply spiritual event. Families prepare for this ritual by creating a sacred space in their homes, typically in the kitchen, to honor the deities. This ceremony marks the end of their duties for the year and their journey back to heaven. As part of the ritual, families offer prayers, food, incense, and other symbolic items to show gratitude for the protection and blessings of the gods.

Vietnamese people release carp on the day of the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
Vietnamese people release carp on the day of the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
(Source: collected)

On the day of the ceremony, live carps are purchased and placed in a fishbowl as a symbolic offering. These carps are believed to be the mode of transportation for the deities on their journey to heaven. The ritual is based on the belief that the carps will transform into dragons once they reach heaven, symbolizing the idea of overcoming obstacles and rising to a higher level of spiritual existence. This belief is reflected in the popular Vietnamese saying “Cá chép hóa rồng” (carp turning into a dragon), which represents the idea of persevering through challenges and achieving success.

The Offerings for Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony

The typical offering tray of Vietnamese people for the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
The typical offering tray of Vietnamese people for the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
(Source: collected)

Preparing the offerings for the Tao Quan (the collective name for Ông Công and Ông Táo) is an important part of the farewell ceremony. Families across Vietnam prepare an elaborate worship tray filled with a variety of items to show their gratitude to the deities. Common offerings include incense, flowers, fruits, betel and areca nuts, sticky rice, chicken, pork paste, spring rolls, and bamboo shoot soup. These foods are considered to be the favorite treats of the Kitchen Gods and are believed to nourish and please them on their journey.

In addition to food, families also purchase paper clothing and accessories for Ông Công and Ông Táo to wear during their trip to heaven. These paper items are often intricately designed and are meant to provide the deities with everything they might need for their journey. A particularly important offering is the paper gold ingot, which symbolizes money and is used to “pay” for the deities’ travel expenses to heaven.

The carps, which are the deities’ chosen mode of transportation, are an essential part of the ritual. In preparation for their journey, families buy three live freshwater carps, which will later be released into a river or lake. The act of releasing the carps is seen as an act of kindness and a way to earn good luck for the family in the coming year. The release of the carps is also a symbolic gesture of letting go of the past year’s misfortunes and welcoming the new year with a fresh start.

The Legend of the Kitchen Gods

The story behind the Táo Quân (Kitchen God) is a poignant one, steeped in love, tragedy, and divine intervention. According to legend, the Tao Quan were once human beings who were involved in a tragic love triangle. The woman was married to one man, but after a violent argument, she left him for another man. In the years that followed, the second husband accidentally killed the first husband, and the grieving wife, devastated by the loss, threw herself onto her husband’s funeral pyre. Her second husband, equally heartbroken, followed her in death. Moved by their sorrow, the Jade Emperor transformed the three of them into the Tao Quan, allowing them to be together for eternity as the guardians of the kitchen.

The Land Genie, House God, and Kitchen God in Vietnamese beliefs.
The Land Genie, House God, and Kitchen God in Vietnamese beliefs.
(Source: collected)

This legend not only explains the origins of the Tao Quan but also emphasizes the importance of family unity and the significance of the Kitchen Gods in Vietnamese culture. The Tao Quan’s journey to heaven on the 23rd day of the lunar month is seen as a way to cleanse the household of any negative energy and to prepare the home for the arrival of the new year.

The Ritual: A Heartfelt Kitchen God Farewell

Vietnamese altar in the kitchen corner.
Vietnamese altar in the kitchen corner.
(Source: collected)

The farewell ceremony for Ông Công and Ông Táo is a touching and meaningful event for Vietnamese families. After the offerings have been made and the prayers recited, the live carps are released into nearby rivers or lakes. This act is seen as a kind and generous gesture, symbolizing the family’s wish for prosperity and good fortune in the coming year. The paper carps, along with other symbolic items like paper clothes and gold ingots, are burned as an offering to the gods, ensuring that they will receive everything they need for their journey.

Once the ceremony is complete, families prepare for the arrival of Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year. The farewell of Ông Công and Ông Táo marks the beginning of the final preparations for the holiday, which is filled with family gatherings, feasts, and celebrations.

A Time for Reflection and Renewal

Vietnamese people release carp on the day of the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
Vietnamese people release carp on the day of the Kitchen God Farewell Ceremony.
(Source: collected)

The farewell ceremony for Ông Công and Ông Táo is not just a religious or cultural ritual; it is a time for reflection, renewal, and gratitude. It provides families with an opportunity to look back on the past year, acknowledge their successes and challenges, and prepare for the future. The ceremony also strengthens the bond between family members and their ancestors, reinforcing the deep sense of respect and reverence that is central to Vietnamese culture.

In the end, the farewell ceremony for Ông Công and Ông Táo is a beautiful representation of the Vietnamese people’s deep connection to their cultural traditions, their belief in the spiritual world, and their hopes for a prosperous new year. It is a time of both honoring the past and embracing the future, as families prepare to embark on a new year filled with opportunities and blessings.

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Vietnamese class at VLS district 1.
Vietnamese class at VLS district 1.

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Conclusion

As the 23rd day of the lunar month approaches, Vietnamese families across the country will prepare to bid farewell to Ông Công and Ông Táo with reverence and respect. This ritual, rooted in centuries of tradition, is a way to honor the deities who protect the home and ensure the well-being of the family. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and hope for the year ahead, a reminder of the importance of family, unity, and the power of belief in shaping one’s destiny. Through this beautiful ceremony, the Vietnamese people celebrate their cultural heritage and wish for a prosperous, harmonious, and successful Lunar New Year.

22/01/2025

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