The Lunar New Year, or Tet, is not just a moment of transition between the old and new year, but also an occasion for descendants to turn towards their roots, to remember and express reverence for their ancestors. In that sacred atmosphere, the ritual of ancestor veneration and the Tet ancestral prayers for the family lineage play a crucial role, acting as a spiritual thread connecting generations. This is a beautiful cultural trait that has been preserved and passed down through many eras, reflecting the Vietnamese moral principle of "When drinking water, remember the source." This article will serve as a comprehensive guide to help you better understand the meaning and practice of this solemn ceremony.

Why is Ancestor Veneration During Tet So Important?

The practice of worshipping ancestors during Tet holds profound significance, both spiritually and culturally. It is not a superstitious act but an expression of deep filial piety and gratitude.

• Expressing Gratitude: This is how descendants commemorate the contributions of past generations, those who have passed away and built the foundations of the family and lineage.
• Praying for Blessings: The family presents offerings to their ancestors with the hope of receiving their protection and blessings for a new year filled with peace, prosperity, and fulfilled wishes.
• Reunion and Bonding: The worship ritual is an occasion for the entire family to gather, prepare together, and sincerely turn their thoughts to their ancestors, thereby strengthening family bonds.
• Educating the Younger Generation: Through ancestor veneration, elders teach their children about their origins, the tradition of filial piety, and the value of family.

What Should Be Prepared for the Tet Ancestral Altar?

An ancestral offering tray for Tet need not be overly elaborate or extravagant, but it must include basic items and, most importantly, be prepared with a sincere heart. A typical offering tray includes:

• Five-Fruit Tray (Mâm Ngũ Quả): An arrangement of five different types of fruit with various colors, symbolizing the Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth), expressing a wish for abundance and prosperity.
• Incense, Flowers, Lamps (Candles): Fresh flowers (usually chrysanthemums, gladioli, apricot or peach blossoms), and lit lamps or candles to make the worship space more solemn and warm. Fragrant incense serves as a medium for spiritual connection.
• Betel Nuts, Areca Leaves, Wine, Tea: These are indispensable offerings in traditional Vietnamese worship rituals, showing respect.
• Savory Food Tray: Depending on regional customs and family circumstances, the food tray may vary. Traditional dishes often include boiled chicken, square or cylindrical sticky rice cakes (Banh Chung/Banh Tet), pork sausage, fried spring rolls, bamboo shoot soup, and red sticky rice...
• Votive Paper: This includes paper clothes, money, etc., offered to ancestors in the afterlife, based on the belief that the afterlife mirrors the world of the living.

How to Recite the New Year's Eve Ancestral Prayer?

New Year's Eve (Giao Thừa) is the most sacred moment, when heaven and earth converge and all things awaken to welcome the new year. The prayer at this time is meant to bid farewell to the old year, welcome the new one, and invite ancestors to celebrate Tet with their descendants. Below is a formal and complete sample prayer:

(The head of the household lights incense, bows three times, then recites clearly and respectfully)

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

We respectfully pray! Today is the 30th day of the 12th lunar month of the year...

I, your devotee: [Full Name], age: […], residing at: [Home Address]

In this sacred moment of New Year's Eve, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, we, our entire family, sincerely prepare offerings, incense, flowers, tea, fruits, and votive paper, presenting them before the ancestral altar.

We respectfully invite: Great-Great-Grandfathers, Great-Great-Grandmothers, Great-Grandfathers, Great-Grandmothers, Granduncles, Grandaunts, and all departed souls of our paternal lineage [Paternal Family Name] and maternal lineage [Maternal Family Name].

We humbly ask all venerable spirits to descend upon this altar, accept these offerings, and witness the sincerity of your descendants.

An old year has passed. We bow our heads in sincere repentance for any mistakes and shortcomings. We pray for our Ancestors' forgiveness and protection.

As we enter the new year [Name of New Year], we respectfully ask our Ancestors to bless our entire family with good health, peace, prosperity, success in all endeavors, and abundant fortune. We pray for our children's academic progress and bright careers.

With our humble offerings and sincere hearts, we bow before you and pray for your guidance and protection.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

(Bow three times)

Is the Prayer on Tet's First Day Different from New Year's Eve?

Essentially, the prayer on the first day of Tet is quite similar to the New Year's Eve prayer but its main purpose is to formally invite the ancestors to enjoy the start of the new year with the family. The ritual is usually performed early in the morning on the first day. The wording can be slightly adjusted to fit the occasion.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

We respectfully pray! Today is the 1st day of the 1st lunar month of the year [Name of New Year].

I, your devotee: [Full Name], age: […], residing at: [Home Address]

Today, on the first day of the new spring, we, our entire family, sincerely offer these gifts, incense, flowers, tea, and fruits, lighting these incense sticks before the ancestral altar.

We respectfully invite: The Nine Generations of Ancestors, all ancestral spirits from both paternal and maternal lines, and the guardian spirits of this land to gather here and celebrate the Lunar New Year.

We sincerely invite our Forefathers, Foremothers, Uncles, Brothers, Aunts, Sisters, and all departed souls of our lineage to come and partake in these offerings.

On this first day of spring, we reverently present our humble offerings to show our respect, praying for our Ancestors' blessing for a new year of peace and prosperity. We pray for a new year full of hope, overcoming all difficulties of the past year, and looking forward to good things in the future, from the year of the Fire Horse 2026 to even more distant celebrations like Tet 2041.

May our family live in harmony, may our children be filial and dutiful, may our endeavors be prosperous, and may we be safe from all harm.

With our humble offerings and sincere hearts, we bow before you, asking for your witness and protection.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

(Bow three times)

What Are the Key Etiquettes for Ancestor Veneration During Tet?

To ensure the ancestor veneration ceremony is complete and truly expresses sincerity, families should note the following:

• Sincerity Above All: A lavish feast is not as important as a sincere heart. Even simple offerings, if prepared carefully, cleanly, and presented with genuine feeling, will be witnessed by the ancestors.
• Clean the Altar: Before the ceremony, the altar must be cleaned and tidied. This act shows respect for the spiritual world.
• Formal Attire: When performing the ritual, the practitioner should wear clean, respectful clothing, avoiding overly short or sloppy attire.
• Recite the Prayer Clearly: The prayer should be read at a moderate pace, in a solemn and clear voice, to show concentration and sincerity.
• Maintain a Solemn Atmosphere: During the ceremony, the family should maintain a quiet atmosphere, avoiding laughter, jokes, or loud arguments in front of the altar.

In conclusion, Tet ancestral prayers are not just a ritual but also a precious spiritual and cultural heritage. Performing this ceremony with solemnity and sincerity is how we maintain our roots, connect the past with the present, and pray for a bright future. We wish our readers and their families a new year of peace, prosperity, and abundant blessings from their ancestors.