Vietnamese Year-End Ancestral Reunion Prayer (Tat Nien) & A4 Scroll

IPersonalize Your Scroll, Select Ritual Date and Read Prayer

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

Pick the actual solar date on which your household performs the rite

Ceremony Date (Solar Calendar)

Quick presets for Year-End and Lunar New Year 2027

Select an Auspicious Hour to insert into the prayer (optional)

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)

Household or ceremony address

Co-attending household members (optional)

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

The complete and most dignified traditional liturgy read at midday or afternoon on the final day of the lunar year, honoring the Tutelary Deities first and welcoming all nine generations of paternal and maternal ancestors home for Tet.

HALL OF MYRIAD PATHS · TRADITIONAL RITUAL SCROLL

Year-End Ancestral Reunion Prayer (Tat Nien): Welcoming Forebears Home, Altar Diagram and A4 Scroll

Classical Full Invocation to Household Deities & Ancestors (Standard Tat Nien Scroll)

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Recite 3 times, with 3 bows)

Reverently bowing to the Nine Directions of Heaven, the Ten Directions of all Buddhas, and all Buddhas throughout the Ten Directions.

Reverently bowing to Sovereign Heaven, Mother Earth, the Ruling Year Star Deity (Thai Tue Chi Duc Ton Than), the Local Tutelary Guardian (Ban Canh Thanh Hoang), the Household Earth Deity (Tho Dia), the Hearth Deities (Dinh Phuc Tao Quan), and all Righteous Spirits of the Five Directions, Dragon Veins and Wealth governing this land.

Reverently bowing to the Nine Generations and Seven Ancestors (Cuu Huyen That To), all departed forebears, High and Great-Grandparents, beloved departed parents, uncles, aunts and kindred spirits of ………….

………… ………………………………, residing at: ………….

Today, on ……………………, the Twelfth Lunar Month reaches its close; the departing ………… Year draws to an end and the radiant ………… Spring stands at the threshold.

Remembering the boundless grace of our Ancestors who gave us life and the steadfast protection of the Tutelary Deities through all four seasons, ………… have swept our home clean, purified this sanctuary, and wholeheartedly prepared fragrant incense, fresh blossoms, five-colored fruits, New Year rice cakes and this Year-End Reunion feast before the altar.

With utmost reverence, ………… invite the Venerable Tutelary Deities to descend before this sanctuary, witness our gratitude, accept these pure offerings and bless our household throughout the coming ………… Year with peace, health and auspicious prosperity.

Bowing in filial devotion, ………… earnestly welcome all departed forebears, High and Great-Grandparents, uncles, aunts, Lineage Maiden Aunts (Ba To Co) and Young Uncles (Ong Manh) of ………… to return home to this family hall, partake of this warm reunion meal, and dwell joyfully beside Your descendants throughout the days of Lunar New Year.

………… also respectfully invite the Former and Latter Landholders (Tien Chu, Hau Chu) who once dwelt upon this soil to share in these offerings in peace and goodwill.

With modest gifts yet wholehearted sincerity, ………… bow before the altar and pray for the enduring blessing of the Venerable Deities and Ancestors of ………….

Nam mo A Di Da Phat! (Recite 3 times, with 3 bows to conclude)

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

The Tat Nien offering is the most cherished family meal of the entire year, presented warm and untouched to the Ancestors before living generations sit down together around the reunion table. Whether preparing a classic regional savory feast or a tranquil vegetarian spread, prioritize freshness, neat presentation and heartfelt harmony.

IIIAltar Arrangement Diagram and Step-by-Step Protocol

Classical Vietnamese altar geometry follows Azure Dragon on the Left, White Tiger on the Right (Ta Thanh Long, Huu Bach Ho) and East-Vase West-Fruit (Dong Binh Tay Qua), all oriented from the Ancestral Seat looking outward toward the front door. Standing before the altar looking in, place the Flower Vase on your right, the Five-Fruit Tray on your left, the elevated Tutelary Deity incense bowl at center, Clan Ancestors (Gia Tien) on your right, and Lineage Maiden Aunt and Young Uncle (Ba To Co, Ong Manh) on your left.

1

Ancestral Sanctuary, Cuu Huyen That To Tablet & PortraitsPositioned at the highest rear tier against a solid wall; portraits follow Male-Left Female-Right from the seat looking out (Grandfather on viewer's right, Grandmother on viewer's left).

2

Pair of Taiji Altar Lamps or Bronze Candlesticks (Sun & Moon)Set symmetrically at both sides of the upper altar and lit prior to offering incense.

3

Three-Level Incense Bowls (or Single Central Bowl in Compact Homes)Viewed from outside facing the altar: Tutelary Deities at center and slightly elevated, Clan Ancestors (Gia Tien) on the viewer's right, and Lineage Maiden Aunt and Young Uncle (Ba To Co, Ong Manh) on the viewer's left.

4

Fresh Spring Flower Vase on the East Side (Viewer's Right)Peach, apricot, gladiolus or chrysanthemum blossoms placed on the right-hand side so eastern breezes carry fragrance across the shrine.

5

Tet Five-Fruit Tray on the West Side (Viewer's Left)Five vibrant fruits arranged securely on the left-hand side alongside a pair of wrapped New Year rice cakes.

6

Row of 3 or 5 Pure Water Cups, Ceremonial Wine & Betel-ArecaAligned neatly in front of the central incense bowl and replenished with fresh water whenever incense is offered.

7

Warm Tat Nien Reunion Meal on the Lower Front Offering TableSet savory or vegetarian dishes, gently mounded rice bowls and horizontally laid new chopsticks on a dedicated lower table in front rather than crowding the incense bowls.

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

The heart of Tat Nien is multi-generational togetherness: before lighting incense, set aside work, dress neatly, and gather the whole household in warm, cheerful harmony.

Step 1
Complete house cleaning and arrange the Five-Fruit Tray on the upper altar
Finish sweeping the home and arrange the Five-Fruit Tray, pair of banh chung or banh tet, and fresh spring flowers on the upper altar during the morning.
Step 2
Set the steaming Reunion Meal on the front offering table
Ladle hot soup, fill 3 or 5 bowls of freshly cooked rice without pressing them flat, lay new chopsticks horizontally beside the bowls, and pour clear tea and wine.
Step 3
Gather all household generations before the sanctuary
The chief officiant stands centered before the mat while spouses, children and grandchildren stand neatly behind in shared filial reverence.
Step 4
Light the altar lamps and offer incense in proper order
Kindle both lamps, light 3 or 5 fragrant incense sticks, bow three times, and place incense into the central Deity bowl first, followed by the Clan Ancestors bowl on your right and the Lineage Aunt bowl on your left.
Step 5
Recite the Year-End Ancestral Reunion Prayer (Tat Nien)
Read the personalized scroll clearly with joined palms; once the officiant bows three times, each family member steps forward in turn to bow three times welcoming the Ancestors home.
Step 6
Pour warm tea and maintain peaceful company while incense burns
Replenish warm tea mid-incense while family members converse gently, letting the warmth of living kinship fill the room.
Step 7
Offer closing bows and share the Reunion Feast (keep Tet cakes & votives on altar)
Once over two-thirds of the incense has burned, bow three times in thanksgiving and lower the cooked meal for the family reunion dinner; leave the Five-Fruit Tray, rice cakes and any symbolic votive paper on the altar until the Hoa Vang farewell rite.

IVFilial Reunion Between Worlds and the Astronomical 29-Day Twelfth Month of Binh Ngo

According to the tradition

In Sino-Vietnamese liturgical usage, Tat means bringing to full completion and Nien means the cycle of the four seasons: Tat Nien marks the solemn completion of the departing year. Within Vietnamese Ancestor Veneration, Tet is never celebrated by the living alone. Just as sons and daughters travel hundreds of miles home on the final afternoon of winter, departed grandparents and forebears are lovingly welcomed back to the family hearth to share the warmth of New Year.

Whereas monthly Full Moon and New Moon offerings invite ancestors for the duration of a single stick of incense, the afternoon Tat Nien rite inaugurates three sacred days of shared dwelling between Yin and Yang: from the final afternoon of the old year through midnight New Year's Eve and across the opening days of Spring until the Ancestral Farewell Rite (Le Hoa Vang), ancestors are honored as living guests beneath the family roof.

According to the historical record

In his 1915 ethnography Viet Nam Phong Tuc (Vietnamese Customs), scholar Phan Ke Binh recorded how every village lane erected New Year bamboo poles, hung crimson parallel couplets and prepared the afternoon Welcoming of Grandparents (le ruoc Ong Ba). Likewise, Ho Si Tan's classical manual Tho Mai Gia Le ranks the Year-End Ancestral Sacrifice among the foremost clan rites of the year, in which the head of house reports the family's endeavors and calls upon every generation from High Great-Grandparents down to departed uncles, aunts and cousins.

Notably compassionate is the Vietnamese inclusion of Ba To Co and Ong Manh (unmarried maidens and youths of the clan who passed away early and are revered as protective guardians of children) alongside Tien Chu and Hau Chu (former landholders who once lived upon the same homestead in earlier eras). No spirit connected to the home or lineage is left forgotten outside the gate on the final afternoon of the year.

Crucial Astronomical Calendar Notice for Year-End Binh Ngo (Early 2027): Under the astronomical lunisolar calculation for Vietnam Standard Time (UTC+7), the astronomical New Moon (Soc) inaugurating the First Lunar Month of the Dinh Mui Year occurs on Saturday, February 6, 2027. Counting from the 1st of the Twelfth Month of Binh Ngo (January 8, 2027) up to that New Moon yields exactly 29 lunar days. Consequently, the Twelfth Lunar Month of Binh Ngo is a short month with no 30th day of Tet.

Therefore, Friday afternoon, February 5, 2027 (the 29th day of the Twelfth Lunar Month, At Mao Day, Full Officer Man, Joy Spirit Northwest, Wealth Spirit Southeast) is the true final afternoon of the lunar year for performing the Tat Nien Reunion Prayer, followed that very night (23:59 to 00:00 entering Saturday, February 6, 2027) by the midnight Giao Thua transition. On Friday, February 5, 2027 (At Mao Day), the three finest Auspicious Hours from midday through evening for the Tat Nien feast are the Hour of Ngo (11:00 to 13:00), the Hour of Mui (13:00 to 15:00) and the Hour of Dau (17:00 to 19:00). Households celebrating one day earlier on Thursday, February 4, 2027 (28th of the 12th Month, Giap Dan Day, Remove Officer Tru) may choose the auspicious Hour of Ti (09:00 to 11:00) or Hour of Mui (13:00 to 15:00).

VGlossary of Kinship Titles and Liturgical Terms in the Tat Nien Scroll

Ten classical Sino-Vietnamese kinship titles and ritual terms explained clearly for contemporary and diaspora readers
Liturgical Term in Scroll	Genealogical & Ritual Meaning
Tat Nien (Completion of the Year)	The year-closing household ceremony held on the final afternoon of the Twelfth Lunar Month (the 29th in a short month or 30th in a full month), inaugurating the family Tet reunion.
Cuu Huyen That To	Literally Nine Generations and Seven Ancestors, encompassing the entire unbroken chain of paternal and maternal forebears across time.
Cao Tang To Khao & Cao Tang To Ty	Reverent honorifics for departed Great-Great-Grandfathers and Great-Grandfathers (Khao) alongside Great-Great-Grandmothers and Great-Grandmothers (Ty).
Hien Khao & Hien Ty	Solemn titles for a departed Father (Hien Khao) and departed Mother (Hien Ty); if both parents are living, petitioners simply omit these two words when reading.
Ba Thuc Huynh De, Co Di Ty Muoi	Departed paternal and maternal uncles, brothers, cousins, aunts and sisters across the extended clan.
Ba To Co & Ong Manh	Ancestral maidens (Ba To Co) and youths (Ong Manh) of the lineage who passed away young before marriage and are cherished as watchful protectors of descendants.
Tien Chu & Hau Chu	Former and previous residents or stewards of the land plot, invited out of humane gratitude so harmony prevails throughout the property.
Quang lam hac gia	Poetic classical invitation welcoming ancestral spirits to descend upon luminous crane carriages to the family hall.
Nam Ta Nu Huu (Male-Left, Female-Right)	Portrait alignment viewed from the ancestral seat looking outward: Grandfather sits on the altar's left (viewer's right), Grandmother on the altar's right (viewer's left).
Dong lai ham huong	Warm invitation asking all invoked spirits to gather in harmony and partake of the essence of the household's sincere offerings.

VIThree-Region Tat Nien Feast Traditions and Common Misunderstandings

Northern Vietnam: Four Bowls, Six Plates & Green Banana Five-Fruit Tray

Classic Northern Tat Nien tables follow the balanced symmetry of four soup bowls (dried bamboo shoots with pork trotter, pork-rind soup, glass noodles, shiitake meatballs) and six platters (boiled chicken with lime leaf, crystal jellied meat, pork roll, cinnamon sausage, fried spring rolls, pickled scallions), paired with a hand of green bananas cradling a golden pomelo.

Central Vietnam: Cylindrical Banh Tet, Pickled Vegetables & Clan Reverence

Central Vietnamese tables feature savory delicacies crafted to endure winter rains: banana-leaf banh tet sliced cleanly with bamboo twine, peppery Hue beef roll, pork belly cured in clear anchovy fish sauce alongside crisp pickled radish and carrots (dua mon), and fermented shrimp.

Southern Vietnam: Welcoming Grandparents with Coconut Pork & Bitter Melon Soup

Known warmly across the South as Le Ruoc Ong Ba (Welcoming Grandparents), the table centers on tender pork belly and whole duck eggs braised in fresh coconut water (thit kho hot vit), stuffed bitter-melon soup (canh kho qua, wishing that past hardships pass), pickled shallots and the tropical Cau, Dua, Du, Xoai, Sung fruit tray.

A common misunderstanding

Misunderstanding 1: Confusing year-end office banquets with the sacred Tat Nien altar rite. Social year-end dinners held with colleagues throughout the Twelfth Month borrow the name Tat Nien casually, whereas the household Tat Nien ceremony is a solemn ancestral invitation performed before the purified family altar prior to sharing the reunion meal.

Misunderstanding 2: Burning votive paper immediately after the Tat Nien meal or tasting food from the cooking pot. Unlike ordinary monthly offerings, Tat Nien welcomes Ancestors home to stay for all three days of Tet; symbolic votive paper therefore remains on the altar until the Post-New-Year Farewell Rite (Le Hoa Vang on the 3rd or 4th day). Cooks likewise season dishes attentively without tasting directly from pots destined for the altar.

Misunderstanding 3: Sticking chopsticks vertically upright into offered rice bowls. Standing chopsticks upright in rice belongs strictly to funeral rites for the newly deceased. For the joyous Tat Nien reunion, fill rice bowls gently without flattening the top and lay brand-new chopsticks horizontally and neatly beside the bowls or upon porcelain rests, just as when welcoming honored living elders to dine.

?Quick Questions

Since the Binh Ngo Year has no 30th day of the Twelfth Month, when should we perform Tat Nien in 2027?

Because the Twelfth Lunar Month of Binh Ngo is a 29-day short month, Friday, February 5, 2027 (the 29th of the Twelfth Lunar Month, At Mao Day) is the final day of the year. Families should perform the Tat Nien prayer at midday or afternoon on Friday, February 5, 2027 during one of three excellent Auspicious Hours: Ngo (11:00 to 13:00), Mui (13:00 to 15:00) or Dau (17:00 to 19:00).

May we hold our household Tat Nien prayer a day or two early on the 27th or 28th?

Yes. Urban families traveling back to ancestral hometowns or working holiday shifts frequently hold their apartment Tat Nien prayer early on Wednesday, February 3, 2027 (27th of the 12th Month) or Thursday, February 4, 2027 (28th of the 12th Month, ideally during Ti 09:00 to 11:00 or Mui 13:00 to 15:00) before locking up to join grandparents in the countryside.

How does the afternoon Tat Nien prayer differ from the midnight Giao Thua prayer?

They serve two distinct moments in the Tet cycle: Tat Nien takes place at midday or afternoon on the final day indoors before the family altar, closing the old year and welcoming Ancestors home for the reunion dinner. Giao Thua takes place squarely at midnight (23:45 to 00:15 entering the 1st of Tet), beginning outdoors to honor the rotating Celestial Year Commissioners (Quan Hanh Khien) and continuing indoors to greet the newborn year.

How should we read the words Hien Khao and Hien Ty if our parents are still living?

In classical Sino-Vietnamese usage, Hien Khao refers to a departed father and Hien Ty to a departed mother. When both parents are living in good health, simply read Cao Tang To Khao, Cao Tang To Ty (Great-Grandparents and Grandparents) along with departed uncles and aunts, omitting Hien Khao and Hien Ty.

Should a family in recent mourning still offer a Tat Nien meal?

Yes. Offering a warm year-end meal to Ancestors and to the newly departed loved one honors filial continuity; families in mourning simply refrain from hanging festive red banners or playing loud celebratory music, keeping the home serene and warm before both the ancestral altar and the memorial tablet.

Is it necessary to burn spiral coil incense continuously unattended for three days and nights?

While keeping the altar warm throughout Tet is a cherished sentiment, fire safety in modern townhouses and apartments comes first. Rather than leaving large spiral incense coils smoldering overnight while everyone sleeps or visits relatives, keep the pair of electric warm altar lamps glowing continuously and light fresh incense sticks morning and evening while someone is home.

Year-End Ancestral Reunion Prayer (Tat Nien): Welcoming Forebears Home, Altar Diagram and A4 Scroll

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

Year-End Ancestral Reunion Prayer (Tat Nien): Welcoming Forebears Home, Altar Diagram and A4 Scroll

IICeremonial Offerings and Preparation Checklist

Group 1: Sacred Tet Offerings Remaining on the Upper Altar

Group 2: The Year-End Reunion Meal (Savory Regional Classics or Pure Vegetarian)

Group 3: Grave-Tending Invitation & Symbolic Votive Protocol

IIIAltar Arrangement Diagram and Step-by-Step Protocol

Step-by-step ceremonial sequence before the altar

IVFilial Reunion Between Worlds and the Astronomical 29-Day Twelfth Month of Binh Ngo

VGlossary of Kinship Titles and Liturgical Terms in the Tat Nien Scroll

VIThree-Region Tat Nien Feast Traditions and Common Misunderstandings

?Quick Questions

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