Tet Nguyen Dan is the most important celebration of Vietnamese culture. Translated to mean “the first morning of the first day”, Tet (in short) is the Vietnamese version of the Lunar New Year and can be considered an all in one festival. It features aspects of the western Thanksgiving, New Year’s Day, Halloween and Birthday. Many East Asian countries celebrate the Lunar New Year which originated from China. However, like Vietnam, each of these countries have incorporated characteristic rituals and celebrations that are indigenous to their regions, and are harmonious with their cultural history and geographical climate.
This year Tet begins on February 14th and according to Vietnamese Zodiac, 2010 represents the year of the Tiger. The actual day of Tet is determined by the Lunar Calendar which counts approximately 355 days in a year, hence Tet usually falls between the western calendar months of January or February.
A week before Tet……
According to legend, seven days before Tet every year, the Kitchen God returns to Heaven to report to the Jade Emperor on the activities of each household and these reports will determine the fate of each household for the coming year. In preparation for the Kitchen God's departure, families sometimes place cookies by the fireplace or altar to sweeten the god’s journey in hope of a favorable report that would endow them with fortune and happiness for the coming year.
Upon the departure of the Kitchen God, follows the week long period called “Tet Nien” – (which literally means to extinguish the year). During this time, people celebrate the end of schooling or work activities and many take the opportunity to visit and clean the graves of relatives. Weeds are cleared, incense is burnt and flowers and a fruit tray or Mam Ngu Qua are offered in remembrance and respect for the dead.
The eve of Tet …… The eve of Tet is filled with excitement and anticipation of the New Year. As the clock strikes twelve, the Giao Thua ceremony commences, marking the end of the previous year and the beginning of a new one. At the Buddhist temples, bells ring and prayers are chanted; while at home, families gather to usher in and congratulate each other on the New Year and for turning a year older as Tet also represents a universal birthday to all. Incense sticks are burnt and prayers are said to welcome family ancestors to join in the feasting and celebration of Tet. In the streets, the air is filled with shouts of cheers and previously theexplosive sounds of firecrackers (now banned).
Visiting relatives and friends is one of the key activities during Tet. The order of visitations depends on your blood relation and your status in society. The first morning of Tet is usually celebrated amongst immediate family members including the husband’s parents and with esteemed guests who are of respectable social status and whose presence are believed to bring luck to the household. The second day of Tet is generally dedicated to visiting the wife’s parents and extended relatives. By the third day of Tet, people would visit the homes of friends, bosses or colleagues. This is also the day when the spirits of ancestors return to heaven and families would offer gifts of money and luxury goods such as cars and clothing to their deceased relatives by burning miniature paper versions. Many Buddhists also visit the temples to pray for a safe and happy new year as well as to have their fortunes predicted by the Xin Xam.
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n the past, the celebrations of Tet would last for one month, however with economic development and the practicalities of modern daily living, Tet celebrations now officially last for three days.
Symbolic meanings of Tet plants<!--mstheme-->
Cay Neu (Bamboo)
Cay Neu represents the New Year’s tree. It consists of a bamboo stem that is stripped of its leaves except for ones on the crown and is decorated with red paper or talismanic objects. The crown apex is sometimes adorned with the Yin and Yang -- symbols of the two principal forces of the universe. Sometimes a paper carp flag may be placed instead. In Vietnamese legend, the carp was believed to be the Kitchen God’s vehicle that took him to Heaven. Cay Neu is taken down ceremonially on the seventh day of Tet.
Hoa Dao (Peach Blossoms)
Peach blossom are an essential symbolic and decorative plant of all households during Tet. It is used to ward off evil spirits during the Tet celebrations. The symbol of its power originated because two legendary deities -- Tra and Uat Luy once lived on a large peach tree in a village located East of the Soc Son Mountain, in North Vietnam. They were powerful deities and evil spirits so feared them that even the sight of a peach plant would scare the evil spirits away. At the end of the every lunar year however, the deities have to return to heaven for an annual meeting, leaving the villagers defenseless. To fight against the evil spirits during the deities’ absence, villagers displayed peach plants in their homes and these were sufficient to scare the evil spirits away.
Kumquat
The Kumquat plant symbolically represents the many generations of a household. The fruits are grandparents, the flowers are parents, the buds are children, and the light green leaves are children. It literally is a family tree! Kumquat plants are often carefully selected for their symmetrical leaves, color and shape of fruit.
Banh Chung
Banh Chung are glutinous rice cakes wrapped in bamboo leaves and bound with flexible bamboo fibers. Between rice are mung bean paste, pork fat and meat, pressed between layers of glutinous rice. The square shape symbolizes thankfulness of the Viet people to the great abundance of food on Earth throughout the seasons.
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TET NGUYEN DAN - The Vietnamese New Year
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