Water is an important element for all living things to reproduce and grow. The Vietnamese people’s long-standing cult concept of “Tran star is so negative” has been deeply ingrained in the subconscious. Offering a cup of water to the ancestral altar shows the gratitude and reverence of the descendants to their ancestors, and to the gods who keep the house.
The water bowl on the altar is usually filled with water or wine and placed on the altar. The cups of water are placed neatly on the throne, symbolizing solidity and durability. I pray for enlightenment, ancestors to bless all family members.
The meaning of the number of cups of water on the water era
Water period is a set of worshiping water bowls, a basic but indispensable item in any altar. Unlike the “Water – Salt – Rice” jar, the water bowl is usually in sets of 3 or 5 cups. Depending on the large or narrow space of the house and the meaning that the homeowner wants to choose, choose 3 or 5 cups.
3 cups on the temple water
Expressing the sincere heart of the negative people to the gods and ancestors. In the order of the ancestors with the aunt and uncle on both sides, the middle cup offered to the gods. 3 glasses of water also holds a special meaning, commemorating the religion of childhood, when parents lose their children and grandchildren in mourning for 3 years. And corresponding to the profound proverbs, the old people left “three sinking seven floating”, “three generations seven families”, grateful for three generations of ancestors.
5 cups on the water era of worship
Representing ancestors, strong aunts and uncles are placed on both sides, 3 cups in the middle are the sincerity of the owner compared to the gods. Heaven and Earth have 5 elements “Kim – Wood – Water – Fire – Earth”, the number of 5 in worship is the same, so it adds meaning.
In worship, the five offerings are expressed through “Perfume – Dang – Tea – Flower – Fruit”, revealing the wholeness of offering to the ancestors. Having the same spiritual meaning, why do some people choose to worship 3 cups of water while others have 5 cups of water? This also depends on the area of the altar for each family home. The altar has a large area, so a 5-cup water table should be used, if the area is modest, the 3-cup altar set is also very harmonious and reasonable.
In addition, choosing the number 3 and number 5 in worship has a good meaning.
– The odd number represents the Yin part of the earth
– Even numbers represent the Yang part representing heaven
For a long time, our grandparents had the idea of ”yang offering for yin”. On the altar, the offerings will also be selected for odd items, so is the worship of the water era on the ancestors’ altar.
at Blogtuan.info – Source: Eva.vn – Read the original article here
