Kitchen God Day - Tet Tao Quan

Renowned for its long history and rich culture, Vietnam is a land vibrant with festivities and celebrations. The month of December in the Lunar Calendar (typically aligning with January in the Gregorian Calendar) is often the busiest as families hastily prepare for some of the most significant festivals of the year. Besides the Tet Festival, Tet Tao Quan, which falls on the 23rd of December, is recognized as one of the most important observances in Vietnamese religious traditions.

The story behind a tradition

The celebration of Tet Tao Quan stems from a well-known fairy tale featuring “two men and a woman,” who later became the trio of Deities, referred to as “Tao Quan.”

Photo @lichngaytot.com

The tale revolves around a couple, Trong Cao and Thi Nhi, who had been married for many years without having children, leading to frequent quarrels and sadness. One day, in a fit of anger, Trong Cao cast Thi Nhi out of their home. Thi Nhi eventually found a new life with Pham Lang.

As time passed, Trong Cao recognized his mistakes and set out to find Thi Nhi, spending all his money and turning into a beggar. By chance, he encountered her at her new home. Their heartfelt conversation allowed them to reminisce about their past, but when Pham Lang returned, Thi Nhi asked Trong Cao to hide in a straw stack. Unfortunately, Pham Lang unknowingly burned the straw for ash, leading to a tragic ending: Thi Nhi chose to join Trong Cao in death, and Pham Lang took his own life upon witnessing this. However, upon their souls ascending to Heaven, Ngoc Hoang (the Jade Emperor) honored them with the title of ‘Tao Quan’: Pham Lang became the Deity of the Kitchen, Trong Cao the Deity of the Land and House, and Thi Nhi the Deity of the Market. Together, they oversee the wellbeing of homes and properties. Each year, on the 23rd day of the Lunar Calendar, they ascend to Heaven to deliver their annual report and to pray for blessings in the upcoming year. They return to Earth on New Year’s Eve to fulfill their duties until the next cycle.

Current practices

Tet Tao Quan symbolizes the grand farewell given to the three Deities embarking on their journey to Heaven, with ceremonies observed in every Vietnamese household. On the 23rd of December, the grandmothers and mothers in the family prepare a variety of traditional delicacies, such as steamed sticky rice from the new harvest or plain porridge. They clean and adorn the ancestral altar with fresh flowers and fruits. On the altar, three votive paper caps are displayed: a yellow one in the center for Mrs. Tao and two black ones for the two male Tao.

Photo @vietnamnet.vn

In addition to these preparations, a large bowl of water containing either one large golden carp or three smaller carps is set aside. These carps, kept alive, will be released into a pond, lake, or river following the worship ceremonies. The Tao Quan can only ascend to Heaven with the assistance of the golden carp, which is traditionally considered the animal of the heavens and a skilled swimmer.

Releasing the carp serves as a gesture of respect and gratitude towards the animal world, accompanied by wishes for good fortune in the coming year. In recent years, the image of Tao Quan has become so familiar that they are often featured in various performances, films, and television shows during the Tet Festival, enriching the cultural tapestry of this cherished season.