New Year’s Eve Offering: An Essential Ritual on Every 30th Night of Tet Every family aspires to prepare thoroughly, ensuring all rituals are complete on New Year’s Eve to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one.
Things to Know About the New Year’s Eve Offering Ritual
- The New Year’s Eve Ceremony
- New Year’s Eve Prayer for the Year of the Dragon 2024
- Who to Offer to During New Year’s Eve?
- Preparing the New Year’s Eve Offering
- Why Offer Outdoors on New Year’s Eve?
- Outdoor New Year’s Eve Prayer for the Year of the Dragon 2024
- Which Comes First: Indoor or Outdoor Offering?
- Best Times for New Year’s Eve Offerings in 2024 to Attract Prosperity
- Do Apartments Need Outdoor New Year’s Eve Offerings?
- The Earth God Offering
- Notes for New Year’s Eve Offerings
- Customs on New Year’s Eve
The New Year’s Eve Ceremony
The New Year’s Eve moment marks the final minutes of the old year transitioning into the new one. At this time, Vietnamese people traditionally perform the New Year’s Eve ceremony. The significance of this ceremony is to cast away all the bad from the passing year and welcome the good of the new year ahead. The New Year’s Eve ceremony is also a way to “drive away evil spirits”, which is why it is called “New Year’s Eve.”
New Year’s Eve Prayer for the Year of the Dragon 2024
Namo Amitabha Buddha (Three times). We respectfully bow to: the future Buddha Maitreya. • The Emperor of Heaven and Earth, and all esteemed deities. • The local guardian spirit and all the great lords. • The land deities and the Kitchen Gods. The gods who preside over this area. • Our ancestors and all spirits of the family. Now is the moment of New Year’s Eve in the year …………….. We are: ………………………………… Residing at: …………………………….. The New Year’s moment has arrived; following the laws of fortune, we bid farewell to the old and welcome the new, as the Spring begins. We sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and rituals to present at the altar, dedicate to the Buddha and deities, and light incense with utmost sincerity. We humbly invite: the local guardian spirit and all esteemed lords. The land deities. The Kitchen God. The deity of virtue. All gods of the five directions, the five lands, and the gods of wealth. The Kitchen God of our household. All gods presiding over this area. We respectfully ask you to descend before the altar and accept our offerings. We invite: the spirits of our ancestors, our grandparents, uncles, and aunts, and all family spirits to descend to our altar and enjoy our offerings. We invite all spirits of the past and present, all beings residing in this land, to descend to our altar, witness the deities, and enjoy the offerings. May we have a prosperous and peaceful year, with favorable conditions for our endeavors. May everyone find peace and prosperity throughout the year. May the spirits provide support and fulfill our wishes. May all seasons be free from calamities, and may all festivals bring good fortune. With sincere hearts, we ask for your witness. We respectfully pray. Namo Amitabha Buddha (Three times, three bows). (This text is for reference). Source: Traditional Vietnamese Prayers – Cultural Information Publishing House |
After the third incense stick burns out, the paper offerings are burned as well.
Who to Offer to During New Year’s Eve?
According to our tradition, each year there is a deity who oversees human affairs, and at the end of the year, one deity hands over their duties to another. Therefore, offerings are made to bid farewell to the old deity and welcome the new one. The outdoor New Year’s Eve offering is based on the belief that during the transfer of duties, there are many celestial beings in the sky, hurrying and bustling about (though we cannot see them with the naked eye), some even not having time to eat or drink.
At that moment, families prepare sticky rice, chicken, fruits, and other cold dishes to offer outdoors, sincerely bidding farewell to the celestial beings who have overseen them in the past year and welcoming the new celestial beings who will manage the earthly realm in the coming year. Due to the urgency of the handover, the deities cannot linger indoors to enjoy the meals but can only take a quick bite or merely witness the sincerity of the host.
Preparing the New Year’s Eve Offering
People perform New Year’s Eve offerings at temples, shrines, and family homes. The offering table is set up outdoors. An incense stand is placed, featuring incense sticks, two oil lamps or candles.
The offerings for New Year’s Eve include:
- A pig’s head or a chicken
- Banh Chung (square sticky rice cake)
- Candied fruits
- Betel leaves and areca nuts
- Fruits
- Alcoholic beverages
- Burnt paper offerings, sometimes accompanied by a hat for the overseeing deity.
However, in traditional Vietnamese culture, a rooster is usually used for offerings. The Vietnamese believe that roosters symbolize the five virtues: literature, martial arts, bravery, kindness, and trust. The red rose placed in the rooster’s beak symbolizes the Sun.
In traditional Vietnamese culture, a rooster is still used for offerings.
At the moment of the New Year’s Eve ceremony, bells and drums sound, the host performs the offering, followed by the others who sincerely pray for the new overseeing deity to bless them with a year of good fortune. Temples also perform New Year’s Eve offerings, but the offerings are vegetarian. Nowadays, families continue to offer with the same sincerity as in the past, but the altar is often simplified, typically set up in the yard or at the front of the house.
Why Offer Outdoors on New Year’s Eve?
Every culture regards the moment of New Year’s Eve as sacred. Our ancestors believed that each year, the heavenly court replaces all the officials overseeing earthly affairs, led by a wise chief. If the chief is capable, wise, and virtuous, the earthly realm benefits with good harvests, fewer disasters, and peace. Conversely, if the chief is lazy, incompetent, or greedy, the earthly realm suffers.
Due to the urgency of the handover, the deities cannot linger indoors to enjoy the meals but can only take a quick bite or merely witness the sincerity of the host…
Every culture regards the moment of New Year’s Eve as sacred.
Outdoor New Year’s Eve Prayer for the Year of the Dragon 2024
Namo Amitabha Buddha (Three times). I bow to the nine directions of Heaven, to the ten directions of all Buddhas. We respectfully bow to: – The future Buddha Maitreya. – The Emperor of Heaven and Earth, and all esteemed deities. – The previous deity overseeing the past year, the god of the Stone Star. – The current deity overseeing the new year, the god of the Fire Star. – The local guardian spirit and all esteemed lords. – The land deities and the Kitchen Gods. All gods presiding over this area. Now is the moment of New Year’s Eve in the year …………. We are:……………… Residing at:…………………. As the sacred New Year’s moment arrives, the old year passes, and we welcome the new year, may the celestial beings oversee the prosperity of all. The old officials return to the celestial realm, leaving behind blessings and grace. The new officials descend, embodying benevolence and bestowing wealth. On this new Spring occasion, we sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, and rituals to present at the altar. We dedicate them to the Buddhas and deities, lighting incense with utmost sincerity. We respectfully invite: The Former Year’s Official of the Zhou Dynasty, the God of War Tianwen, Judge Li Cao, the Current Year’s Official of the Zhao Dynasty, the God of War San Shi Liu, Judge Qu Cao. The local gods and the great kings of the Land God. The local deities of the Earth. The God of Wealth, the God of Blessings. The Five Directions, the Five Earths, the Divine God of the Dragon Veins. The Local Household God. The deities of the Dragon Veins and all the gods governing this area. We humbly request your presence before this altar to accept our offerings. May we wish for: A year of peace and prosperity, auspicious nights. Grant us favorable conditions, smooth work. May everyone attain peace, and may each month bring benefits. May the spirits assist us, may our wishes come true. Throughout the four seasons, may no calamities arise, and may auspicious omens accompany the eight festivals. With sincere hearts, we humbly ask for your witness. Respectfully Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times, 3 bows) |
Is the New Year’s Eve Offering Done Outdoors or Indoors First?
According to folk artist Anh Tuyet, at the moment of transition between the old year and the new, the offering should be made outdoors first and then indoors, in order to “welcome the new and bid farewell to the old,” meaning to welcome the new officials and send off the old ones: “The New Year’s Eve offering has been a traditional ritual from ancient times to the present. Everyone considers the moment when the old year passes and the new year arrives to be sacred, and thus families everywhere pray for peace. The indoor offering is for ancestors and grandparents, while the outdoor offering is for Heaven and Buddha.
It is always necessary to pray outdoors first, addressing Buddha and the officials, asking Heaven and Buddha for protection, praying for the safety of the people and the state, and for family health and peace before holding the indoor ceremony. If the indoor ceremony is held first, it is not quite the correct belief because the highest authority is Heaven and Buddha, then followed by our ancestors and grandparents,” shared artist Anh Tuyet.
The Best Time to Offer on New Year’s Eve in the Year of the Dragon 2024 for Prosperity Throughout the Year
According to feng shui experts, the New Year’s Eve offering in the year of the Dragon 2024 should be performed at the hour of Zi (around 11 PM) or the best time is at the midnight hour (12 AM) and should be completed before 1 AM on the first day of Tet.
In folk belief, the New Year’s Eve offering, also known as the “offering to dismiss the old and welcome the new,” is meant to send off the deities of the old year and welcome the deities of the new year. Therefore, the New Year’s Eve ceremony holds a particularly important significance in the beliefs of the Vietnamese people, with the idea of welcoming the God of Wealth and praying for a year of peace and good fortune.
At the moment of transition, families will prepare an offering tray symbolizing the removal of all misfortunes from the old year to welcome in better fortunes for the new year.
According to feng shui experts, the New Year’s Eve offering in the year of the Cat 2023 should also be performed at the hour of Zi (around 11 PM) or at the best time of midnight (12 AM), and should conclude before 1 AM on the first day of Tet.
Before 1 AM is the time when the old deities hand over their duties to the new deities. Therefore, you should perform the New Year’s Eve offering during the period from 11 PM to 1 AM so that the deities will witness the sincerity of the host.
Do Apartments Need to Offer Outdoors on New Year’s Eve?
In apartments, due to limited space below ground level, the offerings can be focused indoors without the necessity to perform them outdoors. If families wish to offer outdoors, they should go down to the communal area of the apartment building rather than doing it on the upper floors.
Outdoor offerings need an open space with access to the sky and the ground; thus, the offerings should be placed close to the ground. Therefore, if offerings are made on the balcony of an apartment, the space is too far apart to truly be considered outdoor offerings.
The Offering to the Land God
After completing the New Year’s Eve offerings, householders should also pray to the Land God, the deity that governs the household. The offerings are similar to those made for New Year’s Eve.
Important Notes When Offering on New Year’s Eve
- The offering tray should be well-prepared: Traditionally, making the offering tray has primarily been about sincerity rather than strict requirements for completeness. However, this does not mean it can be done carelessly.
Depending on the customs of each region, there will be different offerings, but generally, you need to have incense, candles, tea, rice wine, salt, rice, fruits, sticky rice, and Banh Chung, among others.
- According to Chinese customs, on New Year’s Eve, all children and grandchildren should be present to welcome their ancestors back home for the Tet celebration. If the family is not complete, it signifies an incomplete year of happiness.
- On New Year’s Eve, family members should maintain harmony and avoid quarrels or loud arguments.
- Avoid creating loud noises or breaking things.
- Do not look in mirrors on New Year’s Eve, as it is believed that doing so may reveal spirits, leading to misfortunes throughout the year.
New Year’s Eve is a sacred moment for the nation, marking the passage of the old year and welcoming the new year with more prosperity and joy. Therefore, the New Year’s Eve offerings are always meticulously prepared by the Vietnamese people, including the offering tray, rituals, prayers, and things to avoid on this night.
Customs on New Year’s Eve
After performing the New Year’s Eve ceremony, our ancestors had their own customs, which many people still respect and practice today, from rural areas to urban centers.
- Buying Salt on New Year’s Eve: There is an old saying, “buy salt at the beginning of the year, buy lime at the end of the year,” which is a traditional custom that has been maintained over the years. Salt not only symbolizes the expulsion of evil spirits and misfortunes but also represents the bond of family relationships, ensuring health and harmony among children. Therefore, after New Year’s Eve, people often buy small bags of salt wrapped in red or yellow paper from local markets.
- Visiting Temples and Shrines: After completing the home offerings, people often go to visit temples, shrines, and pagodas to pray for blessings and good fortune, often seeking auspicious omens for the new year.
- Selecting the Direction for Outbound Travel: When going to visit, people choose the right time and direction for their journey to ensure good luck throughout the year.
- Picking Luck: After visiting temples and shrines, people have the custom of picking a branch from the temple gate, known as the “luck branch,” to bring home, symbolizing “taking the luck” bestowed by Heaven and Earth. This luck branch is displayed on the altar until it dries out.
- Incense Luck: Many people, instead of picking a luck branch, ask for luck at temples by burning a handful of incense, standing and praying at the altar, then bringing the incense back to their home altar. The flame symbolizes prosperity brought from the sacred place, thus asking for blessings for a prosperous year.
- Welcoming the New Year: Usually, a family member who is considered “lucky” is chosen to leave home just before the New Year’s Eve ceremony begins, and after the ceremony, they will bring back luck or a luck branch from the temple. Upon returning, they signify the new year for the family and bring good fortune for the year. If no “lucky” person is available, they may ask someone else with good fortune to arrive before guests come to visit during Tet, so that this person can bring good luck easily.
- Giving Lucky Money: Naturally, we cannot forget the traditional custom of giving lucky money. According to tradition, adults give lucky money to children in new coins or red envelopes. The amount of lucky money is not important; what matters is the meaning of the wishes shared among everyone. Children wish their grandparents and parents health, peace, and longevity. Grandparents wish their grandchildren health, success in studies, and prosperity in their business endeavors.
