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In the fabric of life, especially concerning the little ones, many people use the term 'stealing the railway,' but the true meaning of this word is not universally known.
The term “stealing the railway” is often used when things go smoothly: “Stealing the railway today, meeting customers went like a breeze.” Especially with young children, compliments are abundant: “Stealing the railway, the baby is so chubby,” “Stealing the railway, the little one is adorable”…
According to researcher Nguyễn Hùng Vĩ, “People in the North often say 'stealing the railway'” because ancient beliefs held that men have three souls and seven railways, while women have three souls and nine railways. 'Railways' here represent spiritual energy, and thanks to that energy, people can live a healthy life.
What does the term 'stealing the railway' mean according to expert explanation?
For example: “When a person is weak or in pain, it is believed that a certain railway is affected. This can happen in various ways, but Vietnamese people believe that external impacts on the eyes, nose, and mouth can disturb the railway and lead to illness.
In the perspective of the elderly, the railways of young children are considered fragile and in need of protection. Before praising a young child, permission must be sought from the railways. For instance, saying: “Stealing the railway, the little one is cute and obedient,” considers the phrase 'stealing the railway' as a form of seeking permission. This request is, in terms of beliefs, a plea to the divine, and people perceive it as a request to the household deity.
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Reaching this point, you might wonder, why not use 'soul theft' for a more accurate term, but instead, opt for 'stealing the railway'? Simply put, this naming convention is rooted in the ancient interpretation of the two words 'hồn phách.' Specifically, 'hồn' is the sacred spiritual essence of a person, and 'phách' is the vital energy within, often referred to as 'vía' in Vietnamese. Therefore, to sum it up, 'soul theft' is reserved for the departed, while 'stealing the railway' is more fitting for the living, especially for children, symbolizing positive attributes.
Posted by: Thúy Ngọc Trương
Keywords: What is 'Stealing the Railway'? Why do people say it when praising children?
