Tết starts as people release carps for Kitchen Gods

January 20, 2017 - 14:00

People in Hà Nội release carps to give Ông Công-Ông Táo (Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods) a ride to Heaven to deliver an annual report on the household's activities to the God of Heaven today.

 

A men releases carps to a lake in the city's Thống Nhất Park. — VNS Photo Trương Vị
Viet Nam News

People in Hà Nội release carps to give Ông Công-Ông Táo (Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods) a ride to Heaven to deliver an annual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven today. This is one of the most sacred and meaningful annual events that officially starts the traditional Tết (Lunar News Year). 

People buy carps in the Yên Sở Fish Market. — VNS Photo Trương Vị
Golden carp is popular during the Ông Công - Ông Táo (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) ceremony on the 23rd day of the last month of the Lunar New Year, which falls on Friday this year. — VNA/VNS Photo
Carps are normally sold by pairs at the prices of VNĐ20,000-40,000 per pair for small size, VNĐ50,000-80,000 for medium size and even VNĐ100,000 per for big size. — VNA/VNS Photo
According to legend, the Land Genie and the Kitchen Gods will ride carps to Heaven on the 23 rd to deliver an annual report on the household’s activities to the God of Heaven. — VNA/VNS Photo
A woman buys golden carps for release on her way to work. — VNA/VNS Photo
A young girl carries a board saying "Thả cá đừng thả túi nilon!" (Release the fish, don’t release the bags!) to call on people to protect the environment. — VNA/VNS Photo
Carps are brought to public watery areas like rivers, lakes and ponds for release. — VNA/VNS Photo

 

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