"Golden" Calendar for Worshipping the Kitchen God and Cleaning the Altar to Welcome the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse)

The Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 marks a significant overlap between the beginning of spring and the Kitchen God worship ceremony, requiring families to choose the right time to avoid taboos. The worship of the Kitchen God should be performed during the "golden" hour to ensure auspiciousness.

The Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026 marks a significant overlap between the beginning of spring and the Kitchen God worship ceremony, requiring homeowners to choose the right time to avoid taboos. The worship of the Kitchen God and the cleaning of the altar should be performed in the correct order of priority and within the "golden" time frame after the 20th day of the 12th lunar month to ensure auspiciousness.

According to folk beliefs, the ritual of cleaning the altar and removing incense sticks is an important step to "purify the air," preparing to welcome good fortune in the new year. However, the year of the Horse (2026) has a special point that homeowners need to pay attention to: the beginning of spring falls on the 17th day of the 12th lunar month (February 4th, 2026). Feng shui expert Nguyen Song Ha emphasizes that to avoid "disturbing the energy" during the first three days of the beginning of spring (from February 4th to 6th), if the altar cannot be cleaned before the 17th day of the 12th lunar month, homeowners should wait until after the 20th day of the 12th lunar month to proceed. The correct procedure is to perform the offering to the Kitchen God and the Stove God first, then begin the ritual of cleaning and removing incense sticks to ensure solemnity and peace for the family.

Based on auspicious schedules, the 20th day of the 12th lunar month is the ideal starting point; homeowners should offer sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God from 5:10 AM to 6:50 AM, then clean the house between 7:10 AM and 8:50 AM or 3:10 PM and 4:50 PM, especially suitable for those born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat. On the 21st day of the 12th lunar month, those born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, and Rooster can also join in the cleaning between 9:10 AM and 10:50 AM or 3:10 PM and 4:50 PM after completing the early morning ceremony.

For the 22nd day of the 12th lunar month, the time for the ritual offering is moved down to 7:10 AM - 8:50 AM, allowing those born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat to perform the cleaning ritual between 9:10 AM - 10:50 AM or in the early afternoon from 1:10 PM - 2:50 PM. On the main day of the 23rd lunar month, the "golden" time for the ritual offering is 5:10 AM - 6:50 AM, while the removal of incense sticks should take place between 7:10 AM - 8:50 AM or 1:10 PM - 2:50 PM for those born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, and the conflicting zodiac signs of the Dragon.

If busy schedules prevent the cleaning on the 23rd, homeowners can flexibly choose days from the 24th to the 28th of the lunar calendar. The 24th is suitable for those born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Tiger, Monkey, Snake, and Pig, with cleaning sessions spread throughout the morning and afternoon. The 25th and 28th of the lunar calendar offer opportunities for those born in the years of the Rat, Horse, Rabbit, Rooster, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat to perform the cleaning during the morning (7:10 AM – 8:50 AM) or afternoon (1:10 PM – 2:50 PM).

For the 26th day of the lunar month, those born in the years of the Tiger, Monkey, Snake, Pig, Dragon, Dog, Ox, and Goat can perform rituals as early as 5:10 AM or as late as 3:10 PM. A crucial feng shui rule this year is to absolutely avoid the 27th day of the 12th lunar month (the day of the Earth Goat). This is a day of conflict in the 12th lunar month of the year of the Snake, extremely inauspicious for performing spiritual rituals. Understanding the rules regarding auspicious times and compatible zodiac signs will not only ensure smooth and successful rituals but also bring absolute peace of mind, helping the family welcome a fulfilling and prosperous Lunar New Year of the Horse.

Rarely known secret about Ong Cong Ong Tao, December 23rd is a folk belief Thanh Phúc11:05:48 21/01/2025Every year, after the full moon of the twelfth lunar month, families start preparing for the ceremony to worship the Kitchen Gods a week later. In addition to buying votive paper and clothes for the Kitchen Gods, housewives also plan the menu for the feast, ask where to buy carp...