Second Anniversary (Le Dai Tuong), Dam Te & Ancestral Tablet Merging Prayer

Q: Is Le Dai Tuong (Gio Het) observed at the completion of 2 full lunar years or in the 3rd year?

Although classical Confucian texts speak of three-year mourning (tam nien chi tang) , both the Book of Rites and Tho Mai Gia Le specify that it spans three calendar years inclusively and completes in the 24th to 25th month, which is exactly two full lunar years after the date of passing . Thus Le Dai Tuong (Gio Het) is celebrated on the second annual lunar passing date .

Q: How many incense stems should we transfer from the Spirit Altar bowl to the main Ancestral bowl?

With clean hands, gently withdraw 3 straight incense stems (symbolizing the Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity) or 5 incense stems (symbolizing the Five Elements) from the Spirit Altar bowl and plant them upright into the main Ancestral Incense Bowl.

IPersonalize Your Scroll, Select Ritual Date and Read Prayer

Quick-switch Ceremony (55 Rites across 8 Categories):

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

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2. Officiant and Household Details (Live Scroll Personalization)

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Liturgical pronoun

Full name of chief officiant (Petitioner)

Solar birth year Enter solar birth year to auto-calculate Sexagenary stem-branch and lunar age

Paternal ancestral surname

Maternal ancestral surname (optional)

Honorific title of the departed

Full name (or dharma/posthumous name) of the departed

Age at passing (optional)

Annual lunar death anniversary date

Household or ceremony address

Co-attending household members (optional)

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

The primary memorial scroll recited on the morning or midday of the second lunar death anniversary (Le Dai Tuong, or Gio Het), marking the completion of two full years of filial mourning.

HALL OF MYRIAD PATHS · TRADITIONAL RITUAL SCROLL

Second Anniversary (Le Dai Tuong), Mourning Completion (Dam Te) and Ancestral Tablet Merging Prayer

1. Second Death Anniversary Prayer (Le Dai Tuong, Two Full Lunar Years After Passing)

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Three recitations, accompanied by three respectful bows)

Humbly bowing before the Nine Directions of Heaven, the Buddhas of the Ten Directions, Compassionate Father Amitabha Buddha, Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Humbly bowing before Imperial Heaven, Sovereign Earth, the Local Tutelary Guardian Deity, the Sovereign of the Eastern Kitchen and Arbiter of Destiny, the Household Earth and Dragon Vein Deity, and the Righteous Deities of the Five Directions and Five Soils.

Humbly bowing before the Nine Generations and Seven Forebears (Cuu Huyen That To), our Great-Great-Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Grandparents, and all departed ancestral spirits of ………….

Today is …………………….

………… ………………………………, residing at: ………….

Time flows swiftly: two full lunar years have elapsed since our beloved ………… departed this mortal world on the …………. Today marks the Second Death Anniversary, the solemn Dai Tuong (End-of-Mourning Anniversary) Rite. Remembering your boundless nurturing grace as high as heaven and as wide as the sea, ………… have reverently prepared fragrant incense, fresh flowers, illuminated lamps, betel-areca, seasonal fruit, and a pure memorial feast before the spirit seat.

First, ………… respectfully invite the Local Tutelary Guardian Deity, the Household Earth Spirit, and the Kitchen Sovereign to descend in witness and open the domestic threshold. Next, ………… wholeheartedly invite the spirit of …………, accompanied by our Great-Great-Grandparents, Great-Grandparents, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Brothers, and Sisters of …………, to gather before the altar, witness our filial devotion, and partake of these offerings.

Having faithfully observed two years of mourning according to classical Tho Mai Gia Le tradition, on this auspicious Dai Tuong milestone ………… pray that the spirit of ………… dwells in complete peace and luminous liberation among the Forebears of …………, guiding and sheltering all generations of descendants in sound health, family harmony, and prosperous endeavors.

With modest offerings yet wholehearted filial devotion, ………… bow deeply before the sacred seat and pray that you graciously accept our tribute (phuc duy thuong huong).

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Three recitations, concluding with three grateful bows)

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

The combined Second Anniversary (Le Dai Tuong), Mourning Completion (Le Dam Te), and Ancestral Merging (Le Hop Tu) ceremonies mark the grand conclusion of bereavement and the joyful welcome of the departed onto the main Ancestral Altar. Households prepare offerings for both the final service at the Spirit Altar and the enthronement offering at the main Ancestral Altar.

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…

After reciting the Second Anniversary Prayer (Variant 1) and the Mourning Completion Prayer (Variant 2) at the Spirit Altar, the chief officiant removes mourning attire, withdraws 3 (or 5) straight incense stems from the Spirit Altar bowl, inserts them into the main Ancestral incense bowl, places the departed's portrait on the main Ancestral Altar following generational seniority and Male-Left Female-Right order, and recites the Ancestral Merging Prayer (Variant 3).

1

Ancestral Tablet (Cuu Huyen That To) & Newly Merged Portrait on the Main AltarThe portrait is positioned slightly lower or forward of higher ancestral generations, observing Male-Left Female-Right orientation from the altar seat looking outward.

2

Pair of Altar Lamps or Bronze CandlesticksBrightly lit on the main Ancestral Altar to welcome the forebear into the permanent family sanctuary.

3

Central Household Deity Bowl, Right Ancestral Bowl & Left Clan-Aunt BowlTransfer 3 or 5 incense stems from the temporary Spirit Altar bowl directly into the Ancestral Incense Bowl (on the officiant's right); never place them into the central Household Deity bowl.

4

Fresh Flower Vase on the East Side (Viewer Right)Positioned on the officiant's right hand (Dong Binh) on the main Ancestral Altar.

5

Five-Fruit Platter & Betel-Areca on the West Side (Viewer Left)Positioned on the officiant's left hand (Tay Qua) balancing the flower vase.

6

Row of 5 Pure Water Cups, Rice Wine & Warm Steeped TeaSet before the three incense bowls to honor the Household Deities and the reunited Ancestors.

7

Front Offering Table Holding the Dai Tuong & Hop Tu Reunion FeastDisplays the freshly cooked vegetarian or savory feast, crimson gac sticky rice, full rice bowls, and horizontally laid new chopsticks.

Real-world reference photographs of traditional altars and offering trays

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

Traditional Vietnamese death-anniversary meal (Mam Cung Gio). Southern Vietnamese death-anniversary table set with an incense bowl, red candle, three ceremonial wine cups, steamed rice bowls, grilled snakehead fish, boiled pork, herbs and fresh longan fruit. — **Traditional Vietnamese death-anniversary meal (Mam Cung Gio).** Southern Vietnamese death-anniversary table set with an incense bowl, red candle, three ceremonial wine cups, steamed rice bowls, grilled snakehead fish, boiled pork, herbs and fresh longan fruit.
Photograph: Baoothersks · License: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Traditional Vietnamese household altar with bronze trio. Balanced Vietnamese domestic altar displaying a bronze incense urn and candlesticks at the rear, a blue-and-white ceramic incense bowl centered on a wooden stand, red gladiolus vases and fresh fruit. — **Traditional Vietnamese household altar with bronze trio.** Balanced Vietnamese domestic altar displaying a bronze incense urn and candlesticks at the rear, a blue-and-white ceramic incense bowl centered on a wooden stand, red gladiolus vases and fresh fruit.
Photograph: Phuong Huy · License: Public domain · Source: Wikimedia Commons

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

The complete traditional sequence concluding the mourning period on the Second Anniversary unfolds in six dignified steps moving from the temporary Spirit Altar to the permanent Ancestral Altar:

Step 1
Purify the Main Ancestral Altar with warm Five-Herb Water
Prior to the ceremony, wipe the main Ancestral Altar with a new cloth moistened in warm five-herb infusion (cinnamon, star anise, clove, lemongrass, ginger) and prepare the space where the departed's portrait will be enthroned.
Step 2
Perform the Second Death Anniversary Rite (Le Dai Tuong) at the Spirit Altar
Family members (wearing mourning attire one final time if observing classical custom) light incense to notify the main Ancestral Altar first, then present offerings at the Spirit Altar and recite Variant 1 (Second Anniversary Prayer).
Step 3
Recite the Mourning Completion Prayer (Le Dam Te) and remove mourning attire
When two-thirds of the Dai Tuong incense has burned (or at the designated auspicious hour), light a fresh round of incense and read Variant 2 (Mourning Completion Prayer). Afterward, bow in thanksgiving, remove all white mourning headbands and garments, and fold them neatly on a tray for respectful burning.
Step 4
Transfer 3 or 5 incense stems and escort the portrait onto the Main Ancestral Altar
Now dressed in neat everyday formal clothing, the chief officiant washes hands with warm herbal water, gently withdraws 3 (or 5) straight incense stems from the Spirit Altar bowl, inserts them into the main Ancestral Incense Bowl, and places the portrait respectfully onto the main Ancestral Altar.
Step 5
Light incense at the Main Altar and recite the Ancestral Merging Prayer (Variant 3)
Light 3 incense sticks in the central Household Deity bowl and 3 sticks in the Ancestral bowl, then read Variant 3 (Ancestral Tablet Merging Prayer) to ask the Nine Generations of Forebears to welcome the newly enthroned ancestor.
Step 6
Burn mourning attire cleanly, release the temporary bowl and share the reunion feast
Respectfully burn the mourning headbands, temporary paper tablets, and remaining old incense stems to clean ash; wrap the temporary incense bowl and its ash in clean red paper to release into a flowing river (or bury in clean garden soil), and gather for the family reunion meal.

IVThe Three-Stage Closure of Traditional Mourning in Tho Mai Gia Le: Dai Tuong, Dam Te and Hop Tu

In the classical Vietnamese ritual system codified in Tho Mai Gia Le, concluding the mourning period and welcoming a departed parent or grandparent onto the permanent Ancestral Altar is not an abrupt clerical act, but a three-part liturgical passage: Le Dai Tuong, Le Dam Te, and Le Hop Tu (Phu Tu).

First is Le Dai Tuong (Second Anniversary, or Gio Het): Here Dai means great or complete, and Tuong means auspiciousness. Whereas the one-year anniversary is termed Tieu Tuong (the initial settling of grief), the second lunar anniversary marking two full years (24 to 25 lunar months, fulfilling the classical dictum three-year mourning completes in the twenty-fifth month) brings the mourning cycle to full maturity and is called Le Dai Tuong, known affectionately in everyday Vietnamese as Gio Het (the End-of-Mourning Anniversary).

Second is Le Dam Te (Mourning Completion and Garment Removal, or Xa Tang): The Sino-Vietnamese word Dam means serene, composed, and tranquil. Once the Dai Tuong anniversary offering is complete, the family performs Le Dam Te to request permission to lay aside all white mourning headbands and hemp garments (tru phuc), restoring emotional tranquility to both the living household and the departed soul.

Third is Le Hop Tu (also called Le Phu Tu, or Merging into the Ancestral Altar): Here Hop means to unite, Phu means to attach to the lineage of forebears, and Tu means ancestral veneration. Having removed mourning attire, the chief officiant transfers the departed's portrait, tablet, and representative incense stems from the temporary Spirit Altar onto the shared Nine-Generations Ancestral Altar.

According to the historical record

Both the classical Book of Rites (Li Ji) and Ho Si Tan's Tho Mai Gia Le emphasize that these three rites form a sacred bridge transforming the deceased from a newly departed spirit (Tan Vong) mourned in grief at a separate spirit bed into an Enthroned Ancestor (Tien Linh Gia Tien) presiding over the family sanctuary to bless future generations.

VThe Meaning of Le Dam Te (Xa Tang) and How Modern Families Schedule the Three Rites

In ancient court and gentry manuals, after observing Le Dai Tuong on the 24th lunar month, households waited one additional month (until an auspicious day in the 26th or 27th lunar month) to hold a separate Le Dam Te and Le Hop Tu. In contemporary life, when children and grandchildren travel from distant cities or overseas to gather for the Second Anniversary, assembling the extended family twice within a few weeks is often impractical.

Consequently, living Vietnamese tradition across Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam honors two valid scheduling methods:

Two recognized ways to schedule Le Dai Tuong, Le Dam Te (Xa Tang), and Le Hop Tu in Vietnamese households.
Scheduling Approach	Timing	How to Officiate Using the Three Scrolls on This Page
Method 1: Combined Same-Day Observance on the Second Anniversary (Most Common Today)	Performed sequentially during the morning and midday of the Second Lunar Anniversary (Gio Het).	Begin by reciting Variant 1 (Dai Tuong) at the Spirit Altar; after two-thirds of the incense burns, light fresh incense to recite Variant 2 (Dam Te Xa Tang) and remove mourning attire; immediately transfer the incense stems and portrait to the main altar and recite Variant 3 (Hop Tu).
Method 2: Separate Auspicious Day Following Classical Tho Mai Gia Le	Observe Dai Tuong on the exact 2nd lunar passing date; select an Auspicious Day (Hoang Dao) shortly afterward for Dam Te and Hop Tu.	Recite Variant 1 on the Second Anniversary; on the chosen subsequent auspicious day, recite Variant 2 to remove mourning attire and Variant 3 to merge onto the main Ancestral Altar.

VIStep-by-Step Protocol for Transferring Incense Stems, Merging the Portrait and Deconsecrating the Spirit Altar

The practical step that causes families the greatest hesitation during Le Hop Tu (merging the Spirit Altar into the Ancestral Altar) is how to unite the two incense bowls properly. Classical Vietnamese ritual etiquette strictly advises never dumping the entire bowl of ash from the temporary Spirit Altar into the main Ancestral Incense Bowl, which would overflow the vessel and disturb its anchored core. Instead, perform the refined Incense-Stem Transfer (Trich Chuyen Tam Nhang) in four clear steps:

1. Withdraw 3 or 5 Straight Incense Stems into the Ancestral Bowl

After completing Variant 2 (Dam Te) and removing mourning attire, wash both hands in warm ginger or five-herb water, gently draw 3 (or 5) clean, straight incense stems from the departed's Spirit Altar bowl, and plant them upright into the center of the main Ancestral Incense Bowl.

2. Escort the Portrait or Tablet into Generational Order

Wipe the portrait frame with a clean cloth and place it on the main Ancestral Altar slightly lower or forward of higher ancestral generations, observing Male-Left Female-Right placement from the altar seat looking outward (Grandfather on viewer's right, Grandmother on viewer's left).

3. Recite the Ancestral Merging Prayer (Variant 3) at the Main Altar

Light 3 incense sticks in the central Household Deity bowl and 3 sticks in the newly merged Ancestral bowl, then read Variant 3 to petition the Household Deities and Nine Generations of Forebears.

4. Respectfully Burn Mourning Items & Release the Temporary Bowl

Burn all white mourning headbands, mourning garments, paper tablets, and remaining old incense stems to clean ash in a brazier. Wrap the temporary incense bowl and its remaining ash in clean red paper and release them gently into a clean flowing river (or bury them deeply in clean garden soil; never discard in household trash).

VIIFrom the Third Year Onward: Transitioning to Auspicious Annual Memorials (Cat Ky)

According to the tradition

With the completion of Le Dai Tuong, Le Dam Te, and Le Hop Tu, the formal mourning period (Hung Le) is brought to a peaceful close. The departed loved one is no longer addressed as a newly deceased spirit at a separate mourning table, but presides as a revered Ancestral Forebear (Tien Linh Gia Tien) upon the family's main sanctuary.

Beginning from the third anniversary onward and continuing across future generations, the annual passing date is observed as an Auspicious Annual Death Anniversary (Le Cat Ky, or Dam Gio Thuong Nien) using our Annual Ancestral Death Anniversary Prayer (Chinh Ky & Tien Thuong).

VIIIFive Essential Guidelines When Performing Xa Tang and Ancestral Tablet Merging

A common misunderstanding

Five critical guidelines to observe during Le Dai Tuong, Dam Te, and Hop Tu:

First, never insert the transferred incense stems into the central Household Deity bowl by mistake. On a standard three-bowl Vietnamese altar (Household Deities in the elevated center, Ancestors on the officiant's right, and Clan Aunt and Young Departed on the officiant's left), the 3 or 5 stems drawn from a parent's or grandparent's Spirit Altar must be planted into the Ancestral Incense Bowl on the right (or into the left Clan Aunt and Young Departed bowl if the deceased passed away unmarried at a young age), never into the central Deity bowl.

Second, never wear mourning headbands while officiating Le Hop Tu before the main Ancestral Altar. Wear mourning attire only during Variant 1 (Dai Tuong) and Variant 2 (Dam Te) at the Spirit Altar; once Variant 2 concludes, remove all mourning attire completely and dress in neat everyday formal clothing before approaching the main Ancestral Altar for Variant 3 (Hop Tu).

Third, never smash the temporary incense bowl or discard it in impure places. Wrap the retired Spirit Altar incense bowl and its remaining ash respectfully in clean paper and release them into a flowing river or bury them in clean garden earth.

Fourth, never crop a memorial portrait from a photograph shared with a still-living spouse or relative. Always use a solo portrait of the deceased for the main Ancestral Altar.

Fifth, auspicious family events such as weddings and housewarmings may resume freely after Le Dam Te. Completing the Dam Te rite lifts all mourning restrictions on joyous family celebrations.

?Quick Questions

Is Le Dai Tuong (Gio Het) observed at the completion of 2 full lunar years or in the 3rd year?

Although classical Confucian texts speak of three-year mourning (tam nien chi tang), both the Book of Rites and Tho Mai Gia Le specify that it spans three calendar years inclusively and completes in the 24th to 25th month, which is exactly two full lunar years after the date of passing. Thus Le Dai Tuong (Gio Het) is celebrated on the second annual lunar passing date.

May we perform Le Dai Tuong, Le Dam Te (Xa Tang) and Le Hop Tu together on the same morning?

Yes, combining all three in sequential order on the morning of the Second Anniversary is standard practice today. Simply follow the three steps in order: (1) Recite Variant 1 (Dai Tuong) at the Spirit Altar; (2) Recite Variant 2 (Dam Te) and remove all mourning headbands and garments; (3) Transfer 3 or 5 incense stems and the portrait onto the main Ancestral Altar and recite Variant 3 (Hop Tu).

How many incense stems should we transfer from the Spirit Altar bowl to the main Ancestral bowl?

With clean hands, gently withdraw 3 straight incense stems (symbolizing the Three Powers of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity) or 5 incense stems (symbolizing the Five Elements) from the Spirit Altar bowl and plant them upright into the main Ancestral Incense Bowl.

What should we do with the wooden table that held the temporary Spirit Altar after merging?

Paper items, mourning headbands, and temporary paper tablets are burned cleanly to ash. If the Spirit Altar used a temporary bamboo-and-paper frame, burn or dismantle it; if it used a solid household wooden table or cabinet, simply wash the table with warm Five-Herb Water (cinnamon, star anise, lemongrass, ginger) and reuse it normally in the home.

If our small apartment never had space for a separate Spirit Altar, how do we observe the Second Anniversary?

If the departed's portrait was placed on the main altar from the beginning due to limited apartment space, on the Second Anniversary recite Variant 1 (Le Dai Tuong) and Variant 2 (Le Dam Te Xa Tang) to formally conclude the mourning period, burn any kept mourning headbands, and transition to annual Cat Ky memorials.

How is the Second Anniversary date calculated if the second year contains a lunar leap month?

Just like the First Anniversary and annual memorials, Le Dai Tuong is anchored to the exact Lunar Month number and Lunar Day number of passing. If that lunar month is duplicated as a leap month in the second year, observe the rite in the first (regular) month rather than the leap month.

Second Anniversary (Le Dai Tuong), Mourning Completion (Dam Te) and Ancestral Tablet Merging Prayer

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

Second Anniversary (Le Dai Tuong), Mourning Completion (Dam Te) and Ancestral Tablet Merging Prayer

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

Incense, Lamps, Auspicious Flowers & Purification Vessels for Merging

Second-Anniversary Feast, Red Sticky Rice & Votive Brazier for Mourning Attire

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

IVThe Three-Stage Closure of Traditional Mourning in Tho Mai Gia Le: Dai Tuong, Dam Te and Hop Tu

VThe Meaning of Le Dam Te (Xa Tang) and How Modern Families Schedule the Three Rites

VIStep-by-Step Protocol for Transferring Incense Stems, Merging the Portrait and Deconsecrating the Spirit Altar

VIIFrom the Third Year Onward: Transitioning to Auspicious Annual Memorials (Cat Ky)

VIIIFive Essential Guidelines When Performing Xa Tang and Ancestral Tablet Merging

?Quick Questions

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