The origin of the Lunar New Year is still the subject of controversy when many argue that the Lunar New Year originated in China and was introduced during the 1000 years of Northern colonization. However, many examples (such as Banh Chung Banh Day) show that Vietnamese people have been celebrating Lunar New Year since the Hung King Era, which was 1000 years before the Northern colonization. Although there is a lot of controversy about the origin of Lunar New Year, Vietnamese and Chinese people has both similarities and differences when celebrating this special occasion.
1.The name “Tết Nguyên Đán” (Lunar New Year)
Have you ever wondered, where did the name “Tết Nguyên Đán” come from? “Nguyên Đán” is a Vietnamese-Sino word. In particular, the word “Nguyên” means “the first, the beginning” while the word “Đán” means “morning”. It can be inferred that “Tết Nguyên Đán” means “The morning of the beginning of a year, the beginning of spring”. Additionally, “Tết” is a Vietnamese word formed by the deflection of pronunciation when saying the word “tiết” in Chinese language.
2. Lucky money
“Lucky money” on Lunar New Year is a traditional custom with the desire to bring a lot of luck to people. The custom of “Lucky money” is a special ritual for children. In fairy tales, it is said that there was an ogre which often appeared on New Year’s Eve. It often rubs the heads of children who are sleeping, making them sick or less lucid. Therefore, families with young children have to stay up all night to protect their children from the ogre. There was a couple who were very gentle and kind, but it was not until their 50s that they could have a son. On a New Year’s Eve, 08 fairies passed by and saw that the family was about to face a huge danger, so they immediately turned into 08 gold coins next to the boy. The couple found the 08 gold coins and wrapped in red paper, then placed under their son’s pillow. It was those coins that protected the boy from the ogre. Therefore, many people think that red envelopes will bring good luck and good things to the new year.
3.According to legend, Chinese New Year is entitled to a 7-day holiday.
According to Chinese legend, the first day of the Creation created chickens, the second day created dogs, the third day created pigs, the fourth day created goats, the fifth day created buffalos, the sixth day created horses, the seventh day created human, and the eighth day made cereals. Therefore, Lunar New Year is usually from the first day until the end of the seventh day to have fun, rest and return to work on the eighth day.
4. The ritual for Ông Công Ông Táo
People believe that December 23rd (in the Lunar Calendar) of every year is the day when Ông Táo return to heaven. On this day, families often clean their houses and kitchens so that when they go to heaven, Ông Táo will report good things in the old year and pray for a lucky and peaceful new year.
It is also said that Ông Táo always rides a carp to get to heaven. Therefore, this ritual should be arranged in the kitchen and there must be carps during the ritual.
5. The tray of candies for the Lunar New Year days.
During the Lunar New Year days, there are often trays of candies in the living rooms in each family. The purpose of this custom is not only to serve guests. The variety of colors and quantity of candies may stand for fortune and family reunion. Additionally, both Vietnamese and Chinese people enjoy eating nuts on these days with the purpose of getting advantages for their birth.
Trương Anh Khoa
