Complete and traditional prayer for the first day of each month at home.

Prayer for the first day of the lunar month – This is an important part of the monthly worship ceremony, expressing reverence to deities and ancestors, and praying for peace and good fortune for the family.This article compiles a complete list of ancestral prayers on the first day of the lunar month, prayers to the God of Wealth on the first day of the lunar month, and other offerings. Earth God guide provides instructions on how to properly light incense on the first day of the lunar month according to traditional rituals, helping you perform the offering ceremony solemnly and correctly custom.

Prayer to the ancestors on the 1st of each month

During the first-of-the-month ancestral worship ceremony, after preparing the offerings and lighting incense, the homeowner will recite the ancestral prayer for the first day of the month to express their reverence and invite the deities and ancestors to witness and partake of the offerings. Below is the most commonly passed down ancestral prayer for the first day of the month.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

I bow down to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of the Buddhas, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions.

I respectfully bow before Heaven, Earth, and all the Venerable Deities.

I respectfully bow before the local tutelary deity, the local earth deity, the household kitchen god, and all other revered deities.

I respectfully bow before my ancestors, my deceased father and mother, and all departed spirits (if my parents are still alive, replace them with my paternal and maternal ancestors).

The head of the community, whose name is: …, lives in: … commune, … district, … province.

Today is the first day of the month of the year of the Snake (2025). I, your humble devotee, with the grace of Heaven and Earth, the Venerable Deities, and my ancestors, sincerely prepare offerings of incense, flowers, tea, and fruit, and light a stick of incense before the altar.

We respectfully invite: the local tutelary deity, the local earth god, the household kitchen god, the five directions, the dragon vein, and the god of wealth. We humbly request that you descend before the altar, witness our sincerity, and accept our offerings.

We respectfully invite our ancestors, both paternal and maternal, and all the spirits of our family lineage… to mercifully return, witness our sincerity, and partake of our offerings.

We, your humble devotees, respectfully invite the former and current owners residing in this house to come before the altar, partake in the offerings, and bless our family with good health, peace, prosperity, success in business, and family harmony.

With humble hearts and sincere devotion, we respectfully bow before the altar and humbly ask for your protection and blessings.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times).

Prayer to the Earth God and other deities on the 1st of each month.

Besides ancestral worship, many families also perform a ritual to worship the Earth God on the first day of the lunar month to express their devotion to the deities who govern the land and their homes, and to pray for a peaceful and prosperous new month. After offering the gifts and lighting incense, the homeowner can recite the following prayer for lighting incense on the first day of the lunar month.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

I bow down to the nine directions of heaven and the ten directions of all Buddhas.

We respectfully bow before the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth Goddess, and all the revered deities.

I respectfully bow before the Kitchen God, the God of the Five Directions, the Five Lands, and the Righteous God of Fortune and Virtue.

I respectfully bow before the divine spirits who govern this land.

Great-great-grandfathers and great-great-grandmothers.

Uncles, brothers, sisters, and all the spirits of my paternal and maternal families.

Today is the … day of … month of … year in the Lunar calendar, which is the … day of … month of … year in the Gregorian calendar.

Your humble servant is…

Residing at (state the exact address where the homeowner lives) with their entire family.

With sincere hearts, they prepare incense, flowers, offerings, tea, fruits, and other items for worship, and place them before the altar.

We respectfully invite the revered deities who govern this area, and the spirits of our ancestors, both paternal and maternal.

We humbly beseech you, O deities, to have mercy on your devotees, to descend before this altar, to witness our sincerity, and to accept our offerings. Grant your protection and blessings, and guide our hearts and minds so that our entire family may enjoy peace and well-being, health and prosperity throughout the three summer months and nine winter months. May we obtain wealth and fortune, and may all our wishes be fulfilled.

We offer this humble gift with sincere hearts, and wholeheartedly pay our respects.

Respectfully submitted!

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times – bow 3 times).

Prayer to the God of Wealth and the Earth God on the 1st of each month.

For families involved in business or those with an altar dedicated to the God of Wealth and the Earth God, performing the prayer on the first day of the month to the God of Wealth is a familiar ritual to express sincerity and pray for wealth, smooth business, and successful sales. After preparing the offerings and lighting incense, the homeowner can recite the following prayer for the first day of the month.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

I bow down to the nine directions of Heaven, the ten directions of Buddha, and all the Buddhas of the ten directions.

We respectfully bow before Heaven, Earth, and all revered deities.

I respectfully bow before the Kitchen God, the Lord of the Hearth.

I respectfully bow before the God of Wealth.

I respectfully bow before the deities and spirits who govern this land.

Your humble devotee is… residing at…

Today is the 1st of… month… year…

Devoted devotees sincerely prepare incense, flowers, offerings, gold and silver, tea, fruits, and other items to present before the altar, respectfully inviting the God of Wealth to take his place.

We humbly beseech the God of Wealth to have mercy on us, your devotees, to descend before this altar, witness our sincerity, accept our offerings, and bless us with peace, health, and prosperity in all things, a flourishing and prosperous family life, increasing wealth and fortune, spiritual enlightenment, and the fulfillment of all our requests and desires.

With humble hearts and sincere devotion, we bow before the altar and humbly pray for your blessings and protection.

Namo Amitabha Buddha! (3 times)

What should be prepared for the offering tray on the first day of the lunar month?

The offering tray for the first day of the lunar month doesn’t need to be overly elaborate, but it should be prepared meticulously, cleanly, and show reverence to the deities and ancestors. Depending on regional customs and family circumstances, you can prepare a vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering tray.

For a vegetarian offering on the first day of the lunar month, the offerings usually include:

• Incense
• Fresh flowers
• A platter of five kinds of fruit or fresh fruit
• Clean water
• Tea
• Betel nut
• Sweets or sticky rice/desserts (depending on the family)

If offering meat dishes on the first day of the lunar month, the homeowner can prepare additional items:

• Boiled chicken or boiled meat
• Sticky rice
• Alcohol
• Traditional dishes that suit family customs.

Whether preparing a simple or elaborate offering, the most important thing is sincerity when offering prayers and reciting the incantation on the first day of the lunar month. The homeowner should choose fresh offerings, arrange them neatly and cleanly, and perform the ritual with a solemn attitude to express gratitude and pray for a peaceful, lucky, and prosperous new month.

How to arrange offerings on the altar on the first day of the lunar month.

After preparing the offerings, the homeowner should arrange the altar neatly, symmetrically, and solemnly before lighting the incense. According to traditional customs, the arrangement doesn’t need to be overly elaborate, but it must be in the correct position to show respect for the deities and ancestors.

Typically, offerings are arranged in the following order:

• incense burner: Place it in the center of the altar and do not move it when offerings are being made.
• Flower vase and fruit platter: They are usually arranged according to the principle of “East vase, West fruit,” meaning the vase is on the left and the fruit platter is on the right, as viewed from inside the altar. Some families may arrange them symmetrically, as long as they maintain balance and solemnity.
• A cup of water, a cup of tea, or a cup of wine: Place them in front of the incense burner, arranging them neatly in a row.
• A vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering tray: Place it in front of the incense burner or on a separate altar, avoiding obscuring the incense burner and other fixed religious objects.
• Betel nuts and leaves, sweets, votive paper (if any): They should be neatly arranged on either side or behind the offering tray, not placed haphazardly on the altar.

Before reciting the prayers on the first day of the lunar month, the home owner should clean the altar, change the water and flowers, and check that the offerings are neatly arranged. Throughout the ceremony, maintain a quiet atmosphere, dress respectfully, and perform the ritual with sincerity. According to folk beliefs, the meticulousness in preparing and arranging the offerings is just as important as the value of the offering itself.

Things to keep in mind when offering prayers on the first day of the month to avoid losing good fortune.

To ensure the ritual of praying on the first day of the lunar month is solemn and in accordance with tradition, the homeowner needs to pay attention to everything from preparing the offerings to the timing, the way of lighting the incense, and reciting the prayer. Below are some important points to note:

• Keep the altar clean and tidy: Before offering incense on the first day of the lunar month, the altar should be cleaned, and the water and flowers replaced with fresh ones to show respect to the deities and ancestors.
• Do not wear revealing clothing when making offerings: Those performing the ceremony should wear polite, modest, and neat clothing. This shows sincerity when reciting prayers to ancestors on the first day of the lunar month or to deities.
• Avoid using foul language or arguing on the first day of the Lunar New Year: According to folk beliefs, words spoken at the beginning of the month can affect one’s luck for the entire month. Therefore, it’s advisable to maintain a gentle attitude, avoid conflict, and refrain from negative speech.
• Do not light an even number of incense sticks: Many families typically light 1, 3, or 5 incense sticks when performing the ritual on the first day of the lunar month, as odd numbers symbolize fertility and growth in traditional beliefs.
• Don’t let the incense go out halfway through: When lighting incense, one should carefully light it so that it burns continuously. According to folk beliefs, the incense going out midway through a ritual should be avoided.
• The offering should be made in the morning: The time before noon, especially in the morning, is chosen by many families to perform the ritual and recite prayers on the first day of the month, hoping for peace and good fortune in the coming month.
• Read the correct prayer for each altar: If offering prayers at the ancestral altar, use the ancestral prayer for the first day of the lunar month; for the altar of the God of Wealth, use the prayer for the God of Wealth on the first day of the lunar month; and for the altar of the local deities, use the prayer for the local deity to be appropriate for the ritual.

What should we avoid doing on the first day of the month?

According to folk beliefs, the first day of the lunar month marks the beginning of a new month, so many people believe that “a good start leads to a good finish.” Besides performing rituals…Prayer for the first day of the lunar monthWith reverence, our ancestors also passed down some taboos with the hope of having good luck and success throughout the month. These are folk beliefs, not mandatory regulations.

• Avoid borrowing or lending money: Many believe that spending or borrowing money on the first day of the month can lead to financial losses and hinder smooth financial progress throughout the month.
• Avoid breaking things: Broken bowls, plates, cups, or mirrors on the first day of the month are considered symbols of separation, discord, or misfortune in the new month.
• Avoid negative comments and arguments: On the first day of the month, one should maintain a cheerful and amiable attitude and avoid saying anything unlucky, as folk belief holds that words spoken at the beginning of the month can affect one’s mood and fortune for the following period.
• Avoid cutting your hair and nails: Some people avoid cutting their hair or nails on the first day of the lunar month because they believe it depletes good luck and fortune. This is a folk custom with no scientific basis.
• Certain foods should be avoided according to folk beliefs: In many localities, people often avoid eating dog meat, duck meat, squid, carp, or shrimp paste on the first day of the month because they believe these foods do not bring good luck. This belief varies between regions.
• Avoid asking for or giving away fire or water: According to traditional beliefs, fire symbolizes good fortune while water symbolizes wealth. Therefore, some families refrain from using fire or water on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year to avoid “losing good fortune.”

Note:These taboos mainly stem from Vietnamese folk beliefs and customs, and are not mandatory regulations. The most important thing when offering prayers on the first day of the lunar month is sincerity and gratitude towards the deities and ancestors, while also maintaining a clean and solemn worship space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should we prepare a vegetarian or non-vegetarian offering on the first day of the lunar month?

Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings are suitable. Depending on regional customs, family circumstances, and the deity being worshipped, the home owner can choose the offerings accordingly. The most important thing when performing the prayer on the first day of the lunar month is sincerity, clean offerings, and careful preparation.

Is it necessary to use votive paper money for offerings on the first day of the lunar month?

It’s not mandatory. Many families only prepare incense, flowers, water, fruit, and recite prayers on the first day of the lunar month. If using votive paper, it should be done according to local customs and avoid burning too much to prevent waste.

Should we offer prayers on the first day of the lunar month in the morning or evening?

Morning, especially before noon, is generally considered the most suitable time to offer prayers on the first day of the lunar month. However, if busy with work, the home owner can still offer prayers on the first day of the lunar month, as long as it is done with sincerity.

How many incense sticks should be lit on the first day of the lunar month?

According to traditional customs, home owners usually light one or three incense sticks during daily offerings and on the first day of the lunar month. In some places, five incense sticks may be lit on special occasions, depending on local customs and the beliefs of each family.

Which fruits should not be placed on the altar for offerings on the first day of the lunar month?

It is advisable to avoid using bruised, damaged, or unripe fruit. Some families also avoid fruits with sharp thorns or strong smells according to folk beliefs. When offering fruit, prioritize fresh, clean, and intact fruit.

Is it acceptable to use artificial flowers and fruits as offerings on the first day of the lunar month?

According to traditional beliefs, fresh flowers and fresh fruit should be used to show respect. Artificial flowers and artificial fruit are not recommended for placement on the altar during the monthly worship ceremony.

Is it a problem if I forget to offer prayers on the first day of the lunar month?

There is no rule stating that forgetting to offer prayers on the first day of the lunar month will bring bad luck. If you happen to forget, you can light incense at a convenient time during the day or perform the ceremony on the nearest occasion. The important thing is sincerity and respect for the deities and ancestors.

Should we worship our ancestors or the God of Wealth first?

Normally, Therefore, one should offer sacrifices to the ancestors first, and then to the God of Wealth and the Earth God.Offering incense to ancestors first shows filial piety towards grandparents and ancestors, after which the home owner performs the ritual of worshipping the God of Wealth and the Earth God to pray for wealth, good fortune, and success in work. The important thing is to perform the rituals with sincerity and according to the family’s traditional worship practices.

On the first day of the lunar month, only incense is lit; nothing else is offered. Is it okay to bring offerings?

Yes. In cases where preparing an offering tray is not feasible, the home owner can still light incense, offer clean water, and recite the prayer on the first day of the lunar month with sincerity. According to traditional beliefs, sincerity is always more important than an elaborate offering tray.

Summary

Prayer for the first day of the lunar month – This traditional ritual expresses reverence for deities and ancestors, while also conveying wishes for a peaceful, lucky, and prosperous new month. Hopefully, the prayers and instructions in this article will help you perform the ceremony correctly and solemnly. Don’t forget to follow this section to update yourself with more useful knowledge about Vietnamese culture, customs, and traditional rituals.