We all know the hassles involved when moving into a new home. The moving of furniture, the interior and exterior decoration, the settling of the house itself; it can be quite a stressful time. But once you’re settled in, all the effort is worth it. Well, in Thailand, there is one more agenda to tick off the checklist before moving into home sweet home. The home must be blessed, and yes it is a big deal. A flawless ceremony ensures that life in the new house starts off on the right track.

As with anything, careful planning is involved. It first starts with some consultation with monks for the time and date. Saturdays are considered bad luck. Sundays however, are good days and most people move in on this day (times may vary but it can be as awkward as two in the morning).  All the heavy furniture is moved into the house before the auspicious date.

Before the house blessing ceremony, the family will also move in some Buddha images and money. The statues will be permanently place in the home as luck and the money that is brought in is to ensure future prosperity. The housewife will then prepare a meal, which symbolizes the family moving and settling in.

The actual house blessing ceremony is usually held several days later, giving the home owners time to prepare. They will make sure that more than enough food is served for guests and the monks. The spirit house is also catered to as well, with more than enough food and offerings placed inside the shrine for luck.

Finally, the day has arrived. The family has thoroughly prepared for this very important day. But first, a white string must be ready. This is integral to the ceremony because it keeps out evil spirits and while the monks are chanting and blessing the house, the string will be passed along to everyone, so they receive the blessing as well.

Afterwards, one of the monks will step outside and paint religious symbols and stick gold leaves above the door. This is again to ensure happiness, health and prosperity, with the divine powers coming from the chanting ceremony earlier. These icons will stay there permanently.  The procession then continues inside the living room where the monks throw jasmine blossoms and seeds onto the floor. Guests will also have flowers (provided by the home owner) and meditate with them. The procession then concludes into a more casual atmosphere.

Almost all Thai homes go through this procession. Even the one in our Thai House Experience. Your stay here will be one you’ll long remember and on this trip you’ll shop at local markets, visit a folk museum and take a long-tail boat ride through a maze of klongs towards Bangkok’s China Town district for more shopping. Once you get back home, learn about Thai cooking and feast on the delicious meals.

See our Thailand tours for more options in the country.

www.exotravel.com/