Asian holiday with live fish?
I work at a pet store and I have had alot of people coming in the past couple of day wanting live goldfish, the amount of them for how old they are. When it seemed odd after it happened a couple times thruout the day I was trying to ask the significance and everyone just got all quiet and weird about it and all I could get was one lady to say that “back home in vietnam” and then that was it. This so far has happened yesterday December 5. Do you have any idea what it is? I am really intrigued and just curious about the significance and what they are celebrating and noone will tell me. Thanks!
Tags: Holiday, live, fish, Asian, asian holidayRelated posts:
The paper carps, horses and clothing (hats, robes and boots) will be burned by the family and thus transformed into a spiritual essence usable by Ong Tao in the world beyond. Like Santa Claus, the Kitchen God is loved and respected. Both have the capacity to bring fortune and happiness into the home depending on the previous year’s behavior. Although beliefs about the Kitchen God have changed over the years, he remains an important figure in the rich texture of Vietnamese New Year. The Kitchen God travels on the back of a brightly colored and powerful paper horse or sometimes a grand bird with great wings, such as a crane. Or he might ride on a carp with golden scales. Paper images of these vehicles are purchased at Tet or a living specimen of fish is bought and later set free. The day of his departure is marked by the calls of fishmongers from the countryside carrying baskets of fish hanging from their shoulder poles and calling “Fish for sale, fine mounts for the Household Gods to make their ride!” Live fish held in tanks of water and plastic bags are released into ponds, lakes, rivers and streams to impress the god with the kindness of the household. In Hanoi, the Sword Lake is a favorite spot for releasing Ong Tao’s fish-vehicle. In some cases, three fish are released to account for the possibility that one must please all three Hearth Gods.
that is all i could find maybe this is why
here is the link i found the info on
http://www.thingsasian.com/stories-photos/1253