Twelve Midwife Goddesses Prayer: Full-Month (Day Thang) & First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) Rite

Q: Should the Full-Month (Day Thang) and First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) dates be calculated by the Solar or Lunar Calendar?

In traditional Vietnamese practice, the Midwife Goddesses Rite is always calculated according to the Lunar Calendar because the Twelve Midwife Goddesses correspond to the twelve lunar cycles. While families may host a celebratory banquet for friends on a convenient Solar weekend, the sticky rice and sweet soup offering to the Twelve Midwife Goddesses and Ancestors should be performed on the child's Lunar date.

Q: If our family lives in a compact apartment or abroad and cannot fit 12 separate plates of sticky rice and 12 bowls of sweet soup on the table, can we simplify the layout?

Yes, certainly. When altar space is limited, families can use miniature porcelain tea cups or ramekins to arrange the 12 small portions of sticky rice and 12 small portions of sweet soup compactly on a single large tray. If dividing into 12 portions is truly impractical, you may offer 1 large plate of crimson sticky rice and 1 large bowl of sweet soup at the center accompanied by 12 fresh blossoms representing the Twelve Midwife Goddesses, sincerely stating your circumstances in the prayer.

Q: Should we offer incense at the Household Ancestral Altar or the Midwife Table first?

According to traditional family protocol, you should light incense at the Household Ancestral Altar first to formally introduce the newborn grandchild and register the child's given name with the lineage Ancestors, and immediately afterward proceed to the Midwife Table in the living room.

Q: How does the Postpartum Confinement Rite (Le Day Cu) differ from the Full-Month Rite (Le Day Thang)?

The Postpartum Confinement Rite (Le Day Cu) is held earlier, on the 7th day after birth for a boy (corresponding to his 7 vital spirits) or the 9th day after birth for a girl (corresponding to her 9 vital spirits), when the umbilical cord heals cleanly; it uses a simple offering tray and Variant 3. The Full-Month Rite (Le Day Thang) is held when the baby completes one full lunar month, featuring all 13 portions of sticky rice and sweet soup and the Flower-Blessing of the Lips.

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The complete classical invocation used when a newborn reaches one full lunar month of age: honoring the Supreme Lady of Childbirth, all Twelve Midwife Goddesses (Thap Nhi Tien Nuong) by their individual names and nurturing duties, and the Three Tutelary Masters (Thanh Su, To Su, Tien Su), while formally introducing the child's given name to the Ancestors.

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Twelve Midwife Goddesses Prayer: Traditional Full-Month (Day Thang) and First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) Rites for Infants

1. Traditional Full-Month Prayer (Le Day Thang / Man Nguyet at One Lunar Month of Age)

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times, with 3 bows)

I reverently bow to the First Celestial Elder Great Immortal Sovereign, the Second Celestial Emperor Great Immortal Sovereign, and the Third Celestial Matriarch Great Immortal Sovereign.

I reverently bow to the Immortal Goddesses of the Thirty-Six Celestial Palaces, the Mysterious Lady of the Nine Heavens (Cuu Thien Huyen Nu), and the Golden Flower Holy Mother, Supreme Lady of Childbirth.

I reverently bow to the Twelve Celestial Midwife Goddesses (Thap Nhi Tien Nuong) and the Three Tutelary Masters (Holy Master Thanh Su, Founding Master To Su, and Prior Master Tien Su).

I reverently bow to the Household Kitchen God (Dong Tru Tu Menh Tao Phu Than Quan), the Household Earth Deity of Fortune and Virtue, and all Nine Generations of Ancestors of the paternal and maternal ………… lineage.

Today is ……………………, an auspicious day in the ………… Year.

………… ………………………………, residing at: ………….

By the sheltering grace of Heaven and Earth, the accumulated virtue of the ………… Ancestors, and the boundless compassion of the Celestial Midwife Goddesses, our family has been blessed with the birth of a child (state clearly: a baby boy or a baby girl), formally given the full name (state the child's full name), who today has reached one full lunar month of life.

………… engrave upon our hearts the immense kindness of the Supreme Lady of Childbirth and the Twelve Midwife Goddesses who sculpted our baby's form and guarded every breath through nine months and ten days: We give thanks to Lady Tran Tu Nuong who presided over conception; Lady Van Tu Nuong who sheltered the pregnancy in the womb; Lady Nguyen Tam Nuong who witnessed and protected the hour of delivery so mother and child remained safe and whole; Lady Tang Ngu Nuong who cradled and warmed the newborn; Lady Lam Cuu Nuong who bestowed congenital vitality; Lady Ly Dai Nuong who guided safe delivery; Lady Hua Dai Nuong who blessed mother and baby with nourishing milk; Lady Cao Tu Nuong who guarded the first month of postpartum confinement; Lady Ma Ngu Nuong who rocked the cradle and blessed the baby with peaceful, smiling sleep; Lady Tram Cuu Nuong who sculpted whole limbs and bright features; Lady Lam Nhat Nuong who bathed the infant and bestowed rosy skin; Lady Phung Cuu Nuong who awakened the child's heart to nurse, smile, and recognize loved ones; and the Three Tutelary Masters who kindle future wisdom and noble vocation.

Today ………… sincerely present fragrant incense, flowers, red candles, phoenix-wing betel quids, thirteen symmetrical portions of crimson gac sticky rice and sweet dessert soup, savory offerings for the Three Masters, and green votive slippers and robes before this altar.

We humbly ask the Supreme Lady, the Twelve Midwife Goddesses, the Three Masters, and the ………… Ancestors to descend, witness our devotion, partake of these offerings, and gently stroke the head of our child so the baby nurses well, sleeps soundly, grows sturdy bones, remains free from all infant ailments, and blossoms into an intelligent, filial, and virtuous person.

Following this incense offering, our family humbly asks permission to perform the Flower-Blessing of the Lips (Khai Hoa) to bestow eloquent, auspicious speech upon our child. With humble offerings and wholehearted gratitude, we bow in reverence!

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times, with 3 prostrations or bows)

IIIInteractive 3D Altar, Layout Diagram and Ritual Protocol

Drag to rotate 360° · Click numbered pins 1 to 7 or cards below to inspect each offering

Rendering crimson-and-gold 3D ritual altar…

The Midwife Table is set in the center of a bright, well-ventilated living room. The core layout rule is complete equality among the 12 small portions for the Twelve Midwife Goddesses flanking 1 larger central portion for the Supreme Lady of Childbirth, with a separate section for the savory offerings to the Three Tutelary Masters.

Incense burner, pair of red candles, and vase of fresh auspicious flowersPlaced at the inner center of the Midwife Table, with two lit red candles representing the Sun and Moon.

12 identical small plates and 1 large central plate of crimson gac sticky riceArranged in neat, symmetrical rows for the Twelve Midwife Goddesses with the large plate at the center for the Supreme Lady.

12 small bowls and 1 large bowl of sweet soup (Che Troi Nuoc or Che Dau)Paired alongside the sticky rice: glutinous rice balls for baby girls, or bean sweet soup for baby boys.

Savory boiled rooster and Three-Creature tray for the Three Tutelary MastersPlaced in the section dedicated to the Three Masters (Thanh Su, To Su, Tien Su) with three cups of rice wine.

13 phoenix-wing betel quids alongside 13 cups of fragrant tea and pure waterTwelve small portions and one large portion set neatly in front of the sticky rice and sweet soup rows.

Five-fruit platter and rinsed blossom branch for the Flower-Blessing (Khai Hoa)Five sweet seasonal fruits and a clean, pollen-free rose or lisianthus branch for blessing the baby's lips.

Green votive slippers and robes, fragrant water basin, and Career-Choosing TrayPlaced at the front of the table; for the First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) rite, include the tray of 8 to 12 career emblems.

Real-world reference photographs of traditional altars and offering trays

Open-license documentary photographs via Wikimedia Commons (click any photo for source file)

Red gac sticky rice, lotus-seed mung-bean sweet soup and banh chung. Auspicious sweet offering tray with crimson gac sticky rice, whipped mung-bean sweet soup topped with lotus seeds, a pair of green banh chung cakes, oil lamp and yellow chrysanthemums. — **Red gac sticky rice, lotus-seed mung-bean sweet soup and banh chung.** Auspicious sweet offering tray with crimson gac sticky rice, whipped mung-bean sweet soup topped with lotus seeds, a pair of green banh chung cakes, oil lamp and yellow chrysanthemums.
Photograph: Phuong Huy · License: CC0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Traditional Tet offering table in Hue, Central Vietnam. Household Lunar New Year offering table in Hue arranged with whole boiled chicken, steamed sticky rice, sweet soup bowls, savory dishes, betel leaf, fresh flowers and ceremonial deity caps. — **Traditional Tet offering table in Hue, Central Vietnam.** Household Lunar New Year offering table in Hue arranged with whole boiled chicken, steamed sticky rice, sweet soup bowls, savory dishes, betel leaf, fresh flowers and ceremonial deity caps.
Photograph: Titti Nguyen · License: CC BY 2.0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

Performing the Full-Month or First-Birthday Midwife Rite combines a respectful report to the Household Ancestors with the joyful thanksgiving ceremony at the Midwife Table.

Step 1
Calculate the Lunar Date and bathe and dress the baby in the morning
Determine the Full-Month or First-Birthday date by the Lunar Calendar (or the rule: Girl back two days, Boy back one day). Between 07:00 and 10:30 AM when the baby is well-rested, wipe the baby gently with warm herbal water and dress the child in soft new clothes.
Step 2
Set the Ancestral Altar report tray and arrange the 13-portion Midwife Table
Place an offering tray on the Household Ancestral Altar. In the living room, arrange the 12 identical small portions and 1 large central portion of sticky rice and sweet soup for the Midwives alongside the savory tray for the Three Masters.
Step 3
Light incense at the Ancestral Altar first to introduce the child's formal name
The grandfather or father lights 3 incense sticks at the Ancestral Altar to report that the grandchild has reached one month (or one year) of age and formally registers the child's given name with the lineage Ancestors.
Step 4
Bring the baby before the Midwife Table and recite the Midwife Goddesses Prayer
Light the red candles and 1 to 3 low-smoke herbal incense sticks at the Midwife Table. While one parent cradles the baby behind the officiant, recite Variant 1 (Full Month), Variant 2 (First Birthday), or Variant 3 (Postpartum Day Cu) and gently guide the baby's hands in three bows.
Step 5
Perform the Flower-Blessing (Full Month) or Career-Choosing Tray (First Birthday)
When two-thirds of the incense has burned: for Day Thang, gently wave the clean blossom branch before the baby's lips while chanting the Flower-Blessing verse; for Thoi Noi, place the toddler before the Career-Choosing Tray to pick the first object of interest.
Step 6
Bow in thanksgiving, burn the green votive slippers, and bless the baby's forehead
Bow three times to conclude the rite, burn the votive slippers, robes, and prayer scroll in a clean brazier, and lightly dab warm pomelo-blossom water onto the baby's forehead.
Step 7
Share portions of blessed sticky rice and sweet soup with relatives and neighbors
Pack the sticky rice and sweet soup into neat boxes to gift to grandparents, relatives, and neighbors, spreading the family's joy and receiving warm wishes for the baby's rapid growth.

IVNames and Sacred Duties of the Twelve Midwife Goddesses (Thap Nhi Tien Nuong) and Three Masters

In classical Vietnamese folk belief and temple records such as the Bac Bo Thuc Luc, gestation and infancy are revered as a sacred work of art overseen by a celestial assembly. Presiding at the summit is the Supreme Lady of Childbirth (Ba Chua Thai Sinh, identified with Cuu Thien Huyen Nu or Kim Hoa Thanh Mau), assisted by the Twelve Midwife Goddesses (Thap Nhi Tien Nuong) and the Three Tutelary Masters (Ba Duc Ong: Thanh Su, To Su, Tien Su).

Classical roster and specialized duties of the Twelve Midwife Goddesses and Three Tutelary Masters.
Order	Title of Midwife Goddess / Master	Specialized Duty Toward the Fetus & Newborn	Blessing Invoked During the Ceremony
First	Lady Tran Tu Nuong	Presides over conception and the opening of childbirth.	Harmonious vital Qi between mother and child; smooth opening of labor.
Second	Lady Van Tu Nuong	Presides over fetal protection and morning-sickness stabilization.	A steady, tranquil nine-month pregnancy free from miscarriage risk.
Third	Lady Nguyen Tam Nuong	Presides over witnessing and coordinating the hour of birth.	Delivery at an auspicious hour with both mother and baby safe and whole.
Fourth	Lady Tang Ngu Nuong	Presides over receiving and warming the newborn after birth.	Smooth neonatal adaptation and warm, protected postpartum days.
Fifth	Lady Lam Cuu Nuong	Presides over infusing congenital vitality into the embryo.	Abundant Pre-Heaven Qi and resilient internal organs.
Sixth	Lady Ly Dai Nuong	Presides over turning the fetus into proper position and aiding labor.	Safe, gentle delivery and rapid recovery of maternal strength.
Seventh	Lady Hua Dai Nuong	Presides over safe obstetrics and abundant maternal lactation.	Smooth blood circulation for the mother and nourishing breast milk.
Eighth	Lady Cao Tu Nuong	Presides over postpartum confinement care for mother and child.	Protection from wind and cold during the first month; freedom from colic.
Ninth	Lady Ma Ngu Nuong	Presides over rocking the cradle and soothing infant sleep.	Deep, unstartled sleep graced by gentle smiles (taught by the Midwives).
Tenth	Lady Tram Cuu Nuong	Presides over sculpting the four limbs, bones, and five sensory organs.	Whole, sturdy limbs and bright, auspicious facial features.
Eleventh	Lady Lam Nhat Nuong	Presides over bathing the infant and protecting the fontanelle.	Clear, rosy skin free from rashes and rapid closing of the fontanelle.
Twelfth	Lady Phung Cuu Nuong	Presides over awakening intelligence, nursing, smiling, and speech.	Early responsiveness, joyful smiles, and bright cognitive growth.
Three Masters	Ba Duc Ong (Thanh Su, To Su, Tien Su)	Impart life skills, future vocation, scholarship, and moral character.	Steadfast character and an honorable, prosperous career in adulthood.

VThe Lunar Date Rule (Girl Back Two Days, Boy Back One Day) and Gender-Specific Sweet Soups

When scheduling the Full-Month (Day Thang) or First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) ceremony, Vietnamese families follow the Lunar Calendar and use either the exact lunar birth date or the time-honored folk adage: Girl back two days, Boy back one day (Gai lui hai, Trai lui mot).

Calculating by the adage: Girl back two days, Boy back one day

If a baby boy is born on the 12th day of the 9th lunar month, his Full-Month rite is held on the 11th day of the 10th lunar month (1 day earlier); if a baby girl is born on the 12th day of the 9th lunar month, her Full-Month rite is held on the 10th day of the 10th lunar month (2 days earlier). Boys embody Yang Qi (odd numbers, initiative), whereas girls embody Yin Qi (even numbers, graceful modesty).

Celebrating on the exact Lunar Birth Date

Many contemporary families choose to hold the ceremony on the exact corresponding lunar day of the following month (for Day Thang) or the following year (for Thoi Noi). If an intercalary (leap) lunar month occurs during the baby's first year, the First-Birthday rite is counted upon completing a full 12 lunar months from birth.

Why Glutinous Rice Balls are offered for Girls and Bean Sweet Soup for Boys

For a baby girl, families prepare Glutinous Rice Balls in Ginger Syrup (Che Troi Nuoc), wishing that her future character, marriage, and life journey will be round, sweet, and smoothly supported. For a baby boy, families prepare White Cowpea Sweet Soup (Che Dau Trang) or Mung Bean and Lotus Seed Sweet Soup, playing on the Vietnamese homonym Dau (both bean and passing examinations) to wish for academic triumph and resolute integrity.

VIThe Flower-Blessing of the Lips (Khai Hoa) and the First-Birthday Career-Choosing Tray (Boc Do)

Beyond the formal invocation, the emotional heart of the Midwife Goddesses Rite lies in two joyful interactive ceremonies performed directly with the child right after the incense prayer:

According to the tradition

1. The Flower-Blessing of the Lips (Khai Hoa / Bat Mieng) at the Full-Month Rite: After the prayer, the officiant cradles the baby before the Midwife Table, pours fresh tea, holds a clean, dewy blossom branch (such as a pink rose, lisianthus, or gerbera daisy rinsed of loose pollen), and gently waves it a few centimeters in front of the baby's lips while reciting the traditional blessing verse: Open your lips to blossom with flowers / Open your lips to win affection and fond remembrance / Open your lips to welcome silver and gold / Open your lips to earn the love of neighbors and friends. This poetic gesture blesses the child with eloquent, gracious speech throughout life.

According to the historical record

2. The Career-Choosing Tray (Boc Do Thoi Noi) at the First-Birthday Rite: At twelve lunar months, parents arrange 8 to 12 symbolic objects on a red-cloth tray before the altar and observe which item the toddler naturally picks up first. Grasping a pen or notebook points toward scholarship, literature, or research. Grasping a calculator, bank card, or gold ingot points toward finance, banking, or entrepreneurship. Grasping a stethoscope points toward medicine or healthcare. Grasping an official seal points toward public administration or leadership. Grasping a microphone, musical instrument, or paintbrush points toward the arts. Grasping a mirror, comb, or scissors points toward fashion or aesthetics. Grasping a sticky rice ball or spoon points toward abundant Eating God (Thuc Than) blessing and a carefree, well-provisioned life.

VIIFive Essential Guidelines to Protect Newborn Health and Vital Spirits During the Celebration

A common misunderstanding

Five practical principles harmonizing traditional ritual reverence with modern pediatric care:

First, avoid heavy incense smoke in enclosed rooms. An infant's lungs are highly sensitive. Burn only 1 to 3 sticks of natural, low-smoke herbal incense, keep windows open for ventilation, and bring the baby near the altar only for the brief minutes of the prayer and Flower-Blessing before returning the infant to a quiet, airy room.

Second, never use flowers with loose pollen or thorns for the Flower-Blessing. Rinse the blossom thoroughly with clean water, choose soft petals without heavy stamen pollen, and wave the flower gently a few centimeters in front of the baby's lips rather than touching the mouth directly.

Third, protect the baby from excessive handling and direct kissing by guests. Both traditional belief in guarding an infant's delicate vital spirits and modern pediatric hygiene advise parents to politely ask guests to wash their hands and refrain from kissing the baby's face, lips, or hands.

Fourth, maintain exact symmetry among the 12 small portions for the Twelve Midwife Goddesses. When portioning the 12 small plates of sticky rice and 12 small bowls of sweet soup, measure them equally to honor the contributions of all Twelve Celestial Midwives fairly.

Fifth, maintain joyous, harmonious speech and share the blessed sticky rice and sweet soup with neighbors. Because the Full-Month and First-Birthday rites mark the opening chapters of a child's destiny, family members avoid arguments or negative words, surrounding the child with warmth and generous community blessings.

?Quick Questions

Should the Full-Month (Day Thang) and First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) dates be calculated by the Solar or Lunar Calendar?

In traditional Vietnamese practice, the Midwife Goddesses Rite is always calculated according to the Lunar Calendar because the Twelve Midwife Goddesses correspond to the twelve lunar cycles. While families may host a celebratory banquet for friends on a convenient Solar weekend, the sticky rice and sweet soup offering to the Twelve Midwife Goddesses and Ancestors should be performed on the child's Lunar date.

If our family lives in a compact apartment or abroad and cannot fit 12 separate plates of sticky rice and 12 bowls of sweet soup on the table, can we simplify the layout?

Yes, certainly. When altar space is limited, families can use miniature porcelain tea cups or ramekins to arrange the 12 small portions of sticky rice and 12 small portions of sweet soup compactly on a single large tray. If dividing into 12 portions is truly impractical, you may offer 1 large plate of crimson sticky rice and 1 large bowl of sweet soup at the center accompanied by 12 fresh blossoms representing the Twelve Midwife Goddesses, sincerely stating your circumstances in the prayer.

During the First-Birthday Career-Choosing ceremony, what does it mean if the toddler grabs two objects at once or reaches straight for the sticky rice?

If a child grasps two emblems simultaneously (for example, a pen in one hand and a gold ingot in the other), tradition celebrates this as a sign of versatile talent capable of combining scholarship with financial acumen. If the child reaches straight for the sticky rice ball or spoon, elders smile warmly and interpret it as abundant Eating God (Thuc Than) blessing, foretelling a healthy, grounded life free from material want.

Should we offer incense at the Household Ancestral Altar or the Midwife Table first?

According to traditional family protocol, you should light incense at the Household Ancestral Altar first to formally introduce the newborn grandchild and register the child's given name with the lineage Ancestors, and immediately afterward proceed to the Midwife Table in the living room.

How does the Postpartum Confinement Rite (Le Day Cu) differ from the Full-Month Rite (Le Day Thang)?

The Postpartum Confinement Rite (Le Day Cu) is held earlier, on the 7th day after birth for a boy (corresponding to his 7 vital spirits) or the 9th day after birth for a girl (corresponding to her 9 vital spirits), when the umbilical cord heals cleanly; it uses a simple offering tray and Variant 3. The Full-Month Rite (Le Day Thang) is held when the baby completes one full lunar month, featuring all 13 portions of sticky rice and sweet soup and the Flower-Blessing of the Lips.

Compiled, textually collated and diagrammed by Master Ưng Khiêm and UK MASTER ACADEMY. Last updated: 31 October 2026. Sources: Collated from Classical Vietnamese Liturgical Manuals, Bac Bo Thuc Luc (historical records on the Twelve Celestial Midwives), Viet Nam Phong Tuc, Tho Mai Gia Le, and UK Master Academy household liturgy standards.

Twelve Midwife Goddesses Prayer: Traditional Full-Month (Day Thang) and First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) Rites for Infants

IPersonalize Your Scroll, Select Ritual Date and Read Prayer

1. Select Solar Date (Auto-converts to Lunar Date, Sexagenary Cycle & Auspicious Hours)

2. Officiant and Household Details (Live Scroll Personalization)

3. Choose Prayer Variant, Enter Altar Mode or Print A4 Scroll

Twelve Midwife Goddesses Prayer: Traditional Full-Month (Day Thang) and First-Birthday (Thoi Noi) Rites for Infants

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

Group 1: 12 Small Portions + 1 Large Portion of Crimson Gac Sticky Rice, Sweet Soup & Betel Quids

Group 2: Boiled Rooster, Three-Creature Savory Set & Tea/Wine for the Three Masters and Ancestors

Group 3: Fresh Flower-Blessing Blossom, Five-Fruit Platter, Mild Incense & Red Candles

IIIInteractive 3D Altar, Layout Diagram and Ritual Protocol

Real-world reference photographs of traditional altars and offering trays

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

IVNames and Sacred Duties of the Twelve Midwife Goddesses (Thap Nhi Tien Nuong) and Three Masters

VThe Lunar Date Rule (Girl Back Two Days, Boy Back One Day) and Gender-Specific Sweet Soups

VIThe Flower-Blessing of the Lips (Khai Hoa) and the First-Birthday Career-Choosing Tray (Boc Do)

VIIFive Essential Guidelines to Protect Newborn Health and Vital Spirits During the Celebration

?Quick Questions

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