Tet Nguyen Dan is the Lunar New Year Festival and is the most important Vietnamese holiday. Tet is the celebration of the beginning of spring as well as a new year. It is the time , for colorful decorations, joyous celebrations, and cherished traditions. One of the most iconic symbols of Tet is the Vietnamese New Year Tree, locally known as “Cay Neu.” This magnificent tree holds deep cultural and spiritual significance, serving as a focal point for festive activities and symbolizing good luck and prosperity. Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of the Vietnamese New Year Tree and explore its traditions and symbolism.
On the days before Tet, Vietnamese families plant a “Cay Neu”, which is an extremely tall bamboo tree in front of their homes. The bamboo pole is stripped of its leaves except for a tuft on top so that it can be wrapped or ornamented with various objects. Some of the common objects that are hung on the Neu tree are:
- A piece of red cloth with amulet words, which is believed to ward off the bad luck and bring the good luck.
- A bunch of green leaves, which represents the vitality and freshness of the new year.
- An eight-sign amulet, which is a symbol of Buddhism and the eight directions of the universe.
- Bows, arrows, bells, and gongs, which are used to scare away the evil spirits and to announce the arrival and departure of the god of the year.
Neu tree is usually planted a few days before Tet and removed a few days after Tet. The process of planting and removing the Neu tree is often accompanied by rituals, ceremonies, and folk games, which vary from place to place.
The Origins of the Vietnamese New Year Tree
Legends have it that long long ago, humans and devils co-inhabited the earth. The devils overwhelmed the former and invaded their land. Buddha told the devils: “I will hang my cassock on top of the bamboo, and wherever the shadow falls is Buddha’s land, and you devils must give it to men.” The devils agreed. So after planting the bamboo, Buddha flung his robe to the top and made the bamboo higher by means of magic;
As a result, the cassock overshadowed the whole land and the devils were chased to the East Sea. Then the devils prayed to Buddha for permission to return to the mainland for a three day visit to their ancestors’ tombs on the occasion of Tet. For this reason, Neu is often planted on this occasion with green leaves, an eight sign amulet and earthen bells hung from its top. Lime powder is scattered round its base to allow the painting of cross-bows and arrows to chase away the devils or keep them at bay. The shadow of Neu symbolizes the land acquired by the men in the legend. The sounds of small bells and gongs on Neu remind us of man’s right to own the land and the bows and arrows tell us that they were once the weapons used to fight off the devil.
The meanings and functions of “Cây Nêu"
- Mark the boundary between the human world and the spiritual world, and to prevent the evil spirits from entering the house during Tet, when the Kitchen Gods are absent.
- Welcome the new god of the year, who arrives on the first day of Tet, and to replace the old god of the previous year, who leaves on the last day of the lunar year.
- Present the axis of the universe, connecting the heaven, the earth, and the underworld, and to symbolize the harmony and balance of nature and life.
- Express the gratitude and respect of the people to their ancestors, the Buddha, and the gods, and to pray for good luck, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
- Reflect the culture and identity of the Vietnamese people, especially the ethnic minorities, such as the Khmer, the Muong, and the Tay, who have their own customs and traditions of planting and decorating the Neu tree
Neu tree is a unique and meaningful feature of the Vietnamese New Year, which has been preserved and passed down for generations. It is not only a decoration, but also a manifestation of the spirit and the culture of the Vietnamese people.
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