Every year, on December 23, Vietnamese people are busy preparing the offerings to send Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao back to heaven. This is one of the beautiful customs and traditions of the nation that has been handed down and preserved for many generations.
So where does Ong Ong Ong Tao Tet originate from? What is the meaning of Tet Ong Cong Ong Tao? Parents can help their children learn more about this unique holiday as well as teach them about national culture, good lessons about love, intimacy, humanity... in the following article.
The origin of Tet Ong Cong Ong Tao, a profound lesson about human love
According to Vietnamese folk beliefs, Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao are collectively called Tao Quan, originating from the three gods Tho Cong, Tho Dia, and Tho Ky. The legend of Tao Quan tells the story of two men and one woman: the Earth God, the House God, and the Kitchen God.
The story goes that, once upon a time, there was a poor couple, the husband's name was Trong Cao, the wife's name was Thi Nhi, although they had been married for a long time, they still had no children. One day, because of a small matter, Trong Cao beat his wife and chased her away. Thi Nhi wandered to another country and met Pham Lang. The two hit it off and got married.
As for Trong Cao, after calming down, he felt regretful so he set out to find his wife. He traveled day after day but still could not find his wife. Out of rice and out of money, Trong Cao became a beggar on the road. Finally, he happened to beg for food right at his wife's house. Thi Nhi recognized her ex-husband and felt sorry for him so she invited him into the house to cook porridge for him to eat. At this moment, Pham Lang returned home. Thi Nhi was afraid of her husband's suspicions, so she hid Trong Cao under a pile of straw in the back garden.
Unfortunately, that night Pham Lang started a fire and burned the pile of straw to use ash to fertilize the fields. Seeing that, Thi Nhi threw herself into the burning fire to save Cao. Pham Lang also jumped in because he felt sorry for his wife. All three passed away tragically.
The Jade Emperor saw that the three people lived a meaningful life, so he appointed them Dinh Phuc Tao Quan. Among them, Pham Lang is Tho Cong in charge of kitchen work, Trong Cao is Tho Dia in charge of housework, and Thi Nhi is Tho Ky in charge of market work.
Customs of worshiping Ong Cong Ong Ong Tao Tet day
The Kitchen Gods monitor and record the good and bad deeds of people. Every year on December 23, these gods will ride carp to Heaven and report all the homeowner's affairs to the Jade Emperor during the past year. Heaven will rely on that to determine the crime.
Therefore, on December 23, Vietnamese people often hold a solemn farewell ceremony with the hope that the Kitchen Gods will bless their families with a warm and happy new year, ward off bad luck and bring good luck.
What do you need to prepare for Tet Ong Cong Ong Tao?
The Tet feast of Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao cannot lack three sets of tokens, two sets for two Mr. Kitchen Gods and one set for Grandma Kitchen Gods. Besides, everyone will prepare incense, flowers, fruits, oan, areca nut, betel along with a tray of sticky rice, chicken, spring rolls, sausage, vermicelli soup... Depending on the customs of each region and locality, the food will be prepared. The products, dishes, and fruits in the Tet tray of Ong Cong Ong Tao are different. After the worshiping ceremony for Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao, people take it to be transformed into a code.
The meaning of the custom of worshiping the Cong Ong Ong Tao Tet and releasing carp
Carp is said to be the only means to send Mr. Tao to heaven. Therefore, people often prepare a pair or three live carp, put them in a water bowl and offer them with other offerings.
After worshiping Mr. Cong and Mr. Tao, the carp will be released into rivers, ponds, and lakes to release animals. This action has the meaning of a carp turning into a dragon, crossing the martial arts gate, symbolizing sublimation, the spirit of overcoming difficulties, and the virtue of perseverance to achieve success.
Furthermore, releasing carp on the New Year of Ong Ong Tao is also a humane action, showing compassion and limiting killing.
Ong Cong Ong Tao Tet is a cultural beauty of Vietnamese people in the last days of the year. Parents, please create conditions for your children to better understand the nation's cultural customs, lessons about love, family affection... through this interesting holiday. Don't forget to follow the articles in Mykingdom's Handbook section for more useful information.
