Teh Khoon Hock, 48 (right), with his mother Ooi Ah Eng, 73 (left), paying homage to the Kitchen God at their home in Ayer Itam, Penang. ( February 03, 2024 ) — LIM BENG TATT/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The sweet, sticky glutinous rice cakes are a must as an offering to Zhao Jun for as the belief goes, to make sure this Kitchen God has only good things about the household to report to the Jade Emperor.
The Chinese community believes that the deity has a “direct line” to the ruler of heaven and on the 24th day of the 12th month of the lunar calendar, Zhao Jun will return from earth to report on everything you and your family have done in the past year.
Construction contractor Teh Khoon Hock, 48, said his family has been observing this ritual days before every Chinese New Year to seek peace and good health.
“We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, following in the footsteps of my father and our ancestors.
“Each year, we offer fruits and rice cakes to the Kitchen God seeking good health, blessings and a prosperous year ahead for our family.
“The only time we skipped this ritual was during the three-year mourning period after my father’s passing,” he said at his home in Ayer Itam yesterday.
Joining Teh to send off the Kitchen God were his mother Ooi Ah Eng, 73, and several close relatives. Besides offering fruits and non-meat food, the family also placed nian gao or thnee kuih (sweet, sticky glutinous rice cakes) on the altar.
“The thnee kuih is a must. This is to sweeten up the Kitchen God so that he will only have nice things to write in his report,” added Teh.
According to Chinese belief, the Kitchen God is in charge of the fire and stove in the kitchen.
He would record the daily activities and behaviours of the family before reporting them to the Jade Emperor (Thnee Kong).
The Chinese community will usually prepare food, fruits, rice cakes and joss paper as offerings during this yearly ritual.
Zhao Jun will stay in heaven for about 10 days before returning on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year.
