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Every country boasts significant holidays, and in Vietnam, the Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet, stands as a pivotal cultural celebration. Holidays are days free from work, providing an opportunity to relax and commemorate specific events or traditions. Tet, deeply rooted in religious and cultural significance, encompasses a rich tapestry of rituals and festivities that signify the beginning of a new lunar year. In this essay, I will delve into the origins of Tet, explore the traditional rituals associated with its celebration, and examine the ways in which the Vietnamese people joyously welcome the New Year.
Vietnam, nestled in the Eastern Hemisphere, has been profoundly influenced by China over the centuries.
Consequently, the Chinese New Year and the Vietnamese New Year, Tet, share striking similarities. Legend has it that thousands of years ago in a small Chinese village, a monstrous creature ravaged the community during winter. The villagers, facing destruction for the second time, devised a plan to ward off the monster.
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They adorned the entire village with red banners, a color believed to repel evil, and used firecrackers, drums, and gongs to create loud noises, successfully scaring the monster away. This jubilant celebration, characterized by gift exchanges, dancing, and feasting, laid the foundation for the New Year festivities, marking a tradition that endures to this day.
The onset of Tet, usually falling between January 21 and February 19 on the solar calendar, varies based on the phases of the moon.
Weeks before the New Year, Vietnamese families engage in meticulous preparations steeped in tradition. A vital aspect of this preparation involves thorough cleaning of homes, symbolically casting away bad fortune associated with the old year. It is considered inauspicious to commence cleaning on New Year's Day, as it is believed to sweep away good fortunes. Families paint their homes to usher in a fresh aesthetic, pay off debts, and, most significantly, visit the graves of ancestors, burning incense to invite their spirits into the family home. Neglecting this ritual is viewed as a grave omission, inviting the disapproval of ancestors.
The bustling markets during the New Year week witness a surge of activity as families procure essential items such as sugared fruits, earth cake, and vibrant Tet decorations. Representing the spirit of spring, two flowering plants, the golden branches of apricot and the soft rose-colored peach blossoms, adorn homes, symbolizing impending good fortunes.
As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, a pivotal ritual unfolds - the invitation of ancestral souls to spend Tet with the family. Each family member, from the youngest to the oldest, bows before the altar. Following this solemn ceremony, firecrackers are ignited, and gongs are sounded to create loud noises. This serves a dual purpose: bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the New Year, while also warding off malevolent spirits.
Superstitions surrounding New Year's Day are deeply ingrained in Vietnamese culture. Actions on this day are believed to determine one's luck for the entire year. Visiting those in mourning is strictly avoided, as it is associated with death. Children are expected to refrain from crying or fighting, as these actions are believed to bring bad luck. The unspoken rule is to ensure that everything and everyone encountered on New Year's Day symbolizes good fortune.
The New Year unfolds over three days, each marked by unique traditions. On the first day, families display food offerings on altars as the first meal for returning ancestral souls. This day emphasizes family unity, providing an opportunity for extended family members to spend quality time together. Parents and adults gift red envelopes, symbolizing good luck, to children. Visits to temples or churches for prayers are common, and Tet is considered a symbolic birthday for all, marking a new age and a fresh beginning.
The second day sees families visiting relatives and close friends, transforming the streets into lively spaces filled with dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, and communal celebrations. The final day extends connections beyond the family, with visits to teachers, bosses, or helpful individuals to express respect. This day signifies the conclusion of the Tet celebrations, encapsulating a sense of community beyond familial bounds.
In essence, Tet holds immense cultural and spiritual significance for the Vietnamese people. It is a time for family reunions, paying respects to ancestors, and reflecting on the past year. As the three days of celebration draw to a close, Tet serves as a reminder to leave behind the past, embrace the present, and welcome the future with optimism and renewed spirits.
Celebrating Tet: The Rich Traditions of Vietnamese New Year. (2016, Jul 21). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/vietnamese-new-year-essay
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