New Car Blessing Ceremony in Vietnam: A Guide

The Vietnamese saying “Marry a wife, look at her family; buy a car, look at the date” emphasizes the importance of choosing an auspicious day for major purchases. For Vietnamese people, a new car blessing ceremony isn’t just a simple ritual, but a cultural tradition expressing hopes for safety and good fortune on every journey. So, what’s needed for a new car blessing ceremony that honors tradition while fitting into modern life? This guide from Xe Tải Hà Nội will provide detailed answers.

What’s Needed for a New Car Blessing Ceremony?

A new car blessing ceremony is usually simple, consisting of two main parts: the offering tray and the prayer.

1. What’s Included in the Offering Tray?

The offering tray typically includes:

• Fresh Flowers: Usually chrysanthemums, marigolds, or lilies, symbolizing luck and prosperity.
• Fruits: Five types of brightly colored fruits representing the five elements, signifying abundance and prosperity. Choose round fruits and avoid those with thorns.
• Sweet Rice and Dessert: Often red sticky rice or mung bean sticky rice, and sweet soups.
• Boiled Chicken: Preferably a young rooster, boiled whole and beautifully arranged on a plate.
• “Tam Sên” Offering: Consisting of boiled pork, boiled egg, and boiled shrimp, representing heaven, earth, and water, praying for protection and blessings.
• Wine, Water, and Tea: Usually three cups of each, offered to deities and ancestors.
• Rice and Salt: Sprinkled around the car after the ceremony to ward off evil spirits.
• Votive Offerings: Including paper money, clothes, and hats to be burned after the ceremony.

2. The New Car Blessing Prayer

The prayer can be composed personally or sourced from reputable sources. It generally includes:

• Informing the deities and ancestors about the new car purchase.
• Specifying car details: license plate number, color, owner…
• Praying for protection, luck, and smooth travels for the owner and passengers.

3. Important Considerations for the Ceremony

• Choose an auspicious date and time for the ceremony, consulting a feng shui expert if needed.
• Prepare the offerings meticulously and cleanly, demonstrating sincerity.
• Recite the prayer clearly and distinctly, expressing your wishes.
• After the ceremony, drive the car a short distance for good luck.

A table set up for a car blessing ceremony in Vietnam. On the table there are offerings of fruits, flowers, incense, a whole cooked chicken, and three cups of wine.

Frequently Asked Questions about New Car Blessing Ceremonies

Is Boiled Chicken Essential for the Ceremony?

According to folklore, the rooster symbolizes luck and prosperity. Therefore, offering boiled chicken signifies wishes for prosperity and success. However, if unavailable, it can be replaced with other offerings like sweet rice, desserts, or fruits.

Should Rice and Salt Be Sprinkled After the Ceremony?

Sprinkling rice and salt after the ceremony is a folk custom meant to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. However, sprinkle moderately to avoid littering the car and streets.

When Should the New Car Blessing Ceremony Be Held?

Choose an even-numbered day and an auspicious time. Consult a feng shui expert or refer to websites and apps for auspicious date selection.

A calendar with highlighted auspicious dates for a new car blessing ceremony.

Xe Tải Hà Nội – Your Trusted Source for Quality Trucks

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