Introduction to the Mid-Autumn Offering Tray
The 15th day of the 8th lunar month, known as Tet Trung Thu or Mid-Autumn Festival, is an important traditional holiday in Vietnamese culture. It is a time to give thanks for the harvest and to celebrate family unity, with special attention given to children. Arranging an offering tray is a popular custom to show respect to ancestors and deities.
This guide provides practical steps for preparing and arranging the tray. Please note this is a general reference, as customs vary by region and family.
Preparing the Offerings
Below is a list of common items used for a Mid-Autumn offering tray:
- Mooncakes: 2-4 pieces each of baked and soft mooncakes
- Seasonal fruits: pomelo, bananas, persimmons, pomegranates, apples, grapes, watermelon
- Betel and areca nut: for showing respect
- Tea: a pot of brewed tea or dry tea leaves
- Sticky rice or sweet soup (optional)
- Fresh flowers: chrysanthemums, gladiolus, or marigolds
- Incense sticks: a bundle of fragrant incense
- Candles or oil lamps: two for either side of the tray
- Votive paper: paper clothes and gold paper (if following tradition)
- Five-fruit tray: 5 fruits of different colors symbolizing the five elements
Families with children may add candies, jams, and traditional toys like star lanterns.
Arranging the Offering Tray
Step 1: Clean the worship space
Clean the ancestral altar or the chosen area. If offering outdoors, select a clean, airy spot and place a small table or clean mat.
Step 2: Arrange the five-fruit tray
Place the fruit tray at the front center. Wash and dry the fruits. Arrange them in layers: bananas at the base, the largest fruit in the middle, and smaller fruits around for balance.
Step 3: Place the mooncakes
Put mooncakes on plates on either side or behind the fruit tray. Alternate baked and soft mooncakes for color harmony.
Step 4: Arrange other offerings
- Place the betel tray in front or on one side
- Put the tea set near the mooncakes
- Place sticky rice or sweet soup behind or beside
- Put flowers on one side or behind the tray, not blocking the main offerings
- Set votive paper in a convenient spot for later burning
Step 5: Light candles and incense
Place two candles or lamps on either side and light them before the incense. Light an odd number of incense sticks (1, 3, or 5) and place them in the incense bowl. Always keep incense and candles away from flammable materials.
Conducting the Ceremony and Prayer
Step 6: Recite the prayer
After lighting incense, the head of the family stands before the tray, joins palms, and recites the prayer. The prayer typically includes:
- Naming the person praying and the family address
- Announcing the occasion of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month
- Expressing gratitude and respect
- Asking for peace, luck, and health for the family
- Inviting ancestors to enjoy the offerings
If you don't know the traditional prayer, sincere words in your own style are acceptable. Sincerity matters most.
Step 7: Wait and burn votive paper
Wait until the incense has nearly burned out (about 15-20 minutes), then lower the tray. Burn votive paper in a safe place away from the house, using a metal container. Ensure the fire is completely out before leaving.
Important Notes
- Fire safety: always supervise incense, candles, and votive burning. Keep them away from curtains and paper. Wait for ashes to cool completely.
- Regional differences: Northern trays often include sticky rice and sweet soup; Southern trays may feature tropical fruits; Central regions add local specialties.
- Timing: usually done in the morning or evening of the 15th day of the 8th lunar month when the family is gathered.
- After the ceremony, families enjoy the offerings together under the moonlight, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
The Mid-Autumn offering is not just a spiritual ritual but also an opportunity for family bonding and expressing gratitude to ancestors. Whatever the tray contains, the most important element is the sincere heart and family togetherness.
