What is the origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam? What is the meaning of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnamese culture? This is considered a very special time, the image of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam stands out with shimmering lanterns with candlelight shining everywhere, loved by children and adults alike. Besides, moon cakes are also widely sold, a unique dish indispensable for every family reunion and reunion!
The origin of cultural customs of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam
To date, there has been no document verifying the exact origin of the Mid-Autumn Festival. But according to the ancient tradition, they originate from the wet rice civilization or can also be learned and received from the culture of millions of people - China.
Wet rice civilization
According to archaeologists, images of the Mid-Autumn Festival were once engraved on Ngoc Lu bronze drums. In addition, according to the inscription of Doi Pagoda in 1121, since the Ly Dynasty, Mid-Autumn Festival has become an official holiday, held in Thang Long citadel with many activities such as boat racing, lantern procession, water puppet show. During the Le - Trinh dynasties, the Mid-Autumn Festival was very focused and organized extremely lavishly. The time held in August every year, when the harvest and planting have been completed, is the time for farmers to rest and have fun after a long crop.
Chinese Culture
According to ancient legend, Mid-Autumn Festival from the reign of King Due Ton (Tang Dynasty). On the night of the full moon of August, the full moon was beautiful, while walking outside the city, the king met a fairy who came to earth, magically created a rainbow, one end bordering the moon, the other end touching the moon. ground. The family has climbed this special bridge to the moon, walking in the palace of Quang. After visiting this place, the king of Tang returned to the earthly place. However, because he was still attached to the magical scenery, he went out for the people to organize a banquet and procession of lights on the full moon day of August every year. Since then, the presentation of the party and the procession of lights gradually became a folk custom, handed down intact to this day.
What will the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam include?
According to the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam from ancient times to the present, all family members will gather and gather together. Together, they display the offerings of offerings on the altar and the trays of offerings to heaven and earth (also known as offerings to the moon). Then enjoy moon cake, drink tea and watch the moon. Children participate in the procession of lanterns, singing and dancing, playing dragons and snakes on the clouds, or going out with lion and dragon dance troupes.
A complete Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam will include images of the following dishes and activities:
Mane
The usual Mid-Autumn Festival tray will display baked goods, fruits, vegetarian cakes, and flexible cakes with the image of a mother pig and a herd of fat piglets. Or you can replace it with carp shaped cake. Grapefruit seeds are usually peeled, skewered on steel wires, dried for 2-3 weeks before the full moon day. The ropes made of grapefruit seeds are brought out to light. There are also typical fruits and foods of this occasion such as apricots, bananas, nuggets, red persimmons and blue pickled persimmons, a few custards. And certainly indispensable grapefruit.
Moon cake
From traditional to modern, despite having many baking ingredients. Or the presentation is more beautiful and diverse, the cakes in the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam are still divided into two main types as follows: baked cakes, flexible cakes.
+ Cake: The crust is made entirely from flour. To sweeten the cake, people often mix malt with the crust to create amber color. The filling of the pies is mixed, salted egg, lotus seeds, green beans, taro, etc.
+ Sticky rice cake: The traditional type of sticky rice cake will be made with a crust from finely ground roasted glutinous rice. Boiled white diameter water (to cool completely) and grapefruit juice. To keep the white color of the flexible cake crust intact. One would not use malt sugar like a scone. The filling is made from cooked foods and ingredients. The cake will be molded and pressed. Completely ready to use without baking.
Light procession: Picture Meaningful and familiar photos in Vietnam's Mid-Autumn Festival
The star lights, made of red glass paper, burning candles inside are still very special symbols, leaving an unforgettable impression in the hearts of the people of our country; especially in the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam. Up to now, most lanterns are made into many different styles such as butterfly lights, carp lights, etc. Using glass paper in yellow, blue, .... Or plastic lanterns, using batteries, including music, varied from style to size.
Light procession is one of the favorite activities of rural and urban children. On the night of the full moon, children from every family will process lights together on the streets of villages and streets. Sing along to the colorful songs of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lion dance - An indispensable custom during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam
It must be said that the lion dance is an indispensable image when it comes to the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the streets are bustling with children singing and drums of lion dance troupes. Lion dance is one of the most unique activities. The Chinese dance the lion on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, while the Vietnamese do Lion dance on the occasion of the Mid-Autumn Festival. Usually the Lion dance will be held on the 14th and 15th night.
The lion dance team will include a person wearing a lion's head, directing the whole team to dance the movements of this animal to the beat of the drum. The Lion symbolizes auspicious omens, so the Mid-Autumn Festival Lion dance is a wish for peace and joy to every home. The bustling drums, mixed with cheers and cheers, the outstanding colorful unicorn shirts will bring the children the most interesting and memorable cultural experiences.
Summary: Meaning of Mid-Autumn Festival customs in Vietnam
Vietnam is one of the countries with a long-standing culture. The custom of the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam carries with it the imprints of old traditions that are preserved by grandparents and parents to this day. Even though our country has developed across five continents, the Mid-Autumn Festival custom in Vietnam will still be a precious occasion to remember our grandparents, for the whole family to gather together.