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Throughout thousands of years of history, the Lunar New Year is not only a milestone marking the passage of time but also a spiritual bond that strengthens the emotional connection between generations. As the last pages of the old year close, making way for the vibrant Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026, Vietnamese people once again come together to perform ancient and humane rituals. Among these, the ceremony of burning offerings, also known as the New Year's thanksgiving ceremony, is where descendants offer their reverence to bid farewell to their ancestors and welcome good fortune for a prosperous new year.
According to feng shui principles and folk beliefs, each family's New Year's celebration begins on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month when they bid farewell to the Kitchen God and the Stove God. Then, on the afternoon of the 30th day of the 12th lunar month, a meticulously prepared farewell meal is offered as the most solemn invitation to the spirits of ancestors to return and celebrate with their descendants.
According to the folk belief that "what happens in the earthly world is reflected in the afterlife," the ritual of burning votive paper after the first three days of Tet is seen as a way for descendants to send their ancestors a complete and fulfilling journey to the eternal realm.
Throughout the three days of Tet (Lunar New Year), the ancestral altar is always filled with the fragrant smoke of incense and brightly lit with lanterns and flowers, symbolizing the invisible yet warm presence of our ancestors. The burning of offerings is the ritual that concludes this special period of family reunion, a farewell ceremony that also opens up new hopes for blessings and guidance for the family throughout the next 365 days.
The profound meaning of the ritual of burning votive paper money goes beyond simply burning paper offerings; it also lies in the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source." In the Vietnamese psyche, "what happens in the earthly world is reflected in the spiritual world," meaning the world of the deceased is always intertwined and closely connected to present life. Preparing offerings to send ancestors to the afterlife demonstrates the care and filial piety of descendants towards their origins. At the same time, it is also considered a ceremony to welcome the god of wealth and prosperity. People believe that performing this ritual correctly and sincerely at the beginning of the Year of the Horse will help the family attract wealth and good fortune, leading to smooth and successful business and career endeavors.
The Tet Binh Ngo 2026 (Year of the Horse) burning ceremony is an important transition ritual, concluding the Tet holiday of family reunion and ushering in a new year of work full of energy.
Regarding the timing, while the ritual of burning votive paper money used to be fixed on the 3rd or 7th day of the Lunar New Year, the flexibility of modern life allows families to organize it according to their circumstances. Typically, from the 3rd to the 10th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse (2016), families will choose an auspicious day and time to perform the ceremony. Although the timing may change, meticulous preparation is always prioritized. Besides the five fruits and sweets already prepared from New Year's Eve, the family will also prepare incense, flowers, betel nuts, white wine, candles, and especially a feast of savory or vegetarian dishes, depending on the customs of each region.
The ritual of burning votive paper, also known as the farewell ceremony for ancestors, the burning of votive paper for forefathers, or the New Year's thanksgiving ceremony, is based on the belief in ancestor worship. According to historians, the offerings are often related to daily life, symbolizing the close connection between the living and the afterlife.
In traditional Vietnamese offerings, the image of a castrated rooster holding a rose in its beak remains a symbol of good fortune and purity. However, a noteworthy trend in recent years is a focus on simplicity while maintaining quality. Many families prioritize clean agricultural products, fresh and safe food for offerings. This shift shows that Vietnamese people's spiritual beliefs are gradually becoming more relaxed and civilized, no longer emphasizing the quantity of offerings but focusing on purity and the sincerity of the worshipper's heart.
The ritual of burning votive paper money requires solemnity and a clear order to ensure its spiritual significance. After the incense has burned out, the family begins burning the paper money, with the paper money for household deities being burned first, followed by that of ancestors, and finally, the money for those who have passed away recently. A unique aspect of this custom is the practice of sprinkling wine on the ashes of the burning paper money. The ancients believed that only with a little wine sprinkled on the ashes could the ancestors in the afterlife receive and use the gold. Many families even maintain the tradition of holding two sugarcane stalks over the fire during the burning of the paper money, symbolizing the creation of sturdy "carrying poles" for the ancestors to carry wealth to the next world.
In addition, the ritual of burning votive paper is also a way to welcome the god of wealth and prosperity to the family, hoping for a prosperous and successful year.
After the ritual of burning offerings, family members will gather around a warm and cozy meal. This is a meaningful moment for everyone to share their plans for the new year of the Horse, and recharge with positive energy before officially returning to the hustle and bustle of work and study. The joyful and united atmosphere of this meal is the clearest evidence of the strong bond of Vietnamese families, where traditional values are always preserved and passed down through generations.
Although the passage of time has changed many daily habits, the ritual of burning votive paper remains a cultural pillar in the hearts of every Vietnamese person. It reminds us of our origins, of gratitude, and of our belief in good things. To ensure this custom remains a beautiful and civilized cultural tradition, it is essential to limit excessive burning of votive paper and prevent environmental pollution. A sincere, simple, yet meaningful ritual of burning votive paper will surely bring peace and good fortune to every household in the Spring of the Year of the Horse 2026.
