Unveiling Tet Nguyen Dan: Origins and Beautiful Meanings

As Tet arrives and spring approaches, families gather to wish each other prosperity and abundance. While every year brings Tet, have you ever wondered about what Tet Nguyen Dan is, its origins, and its profound meanings? In today's article, Mytour will help answer these questions for a meaningful and wholesome new year.

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Exploring Tet Nguyen Dan:

Tet Nguyen Dan, also known as Lunar New Year, our Tet, or the Great Tet. While there are many Tet days in a year, this is considered the longest and most meaningful Tet for the people of Vietnam.

Tet is divided into three days:

• Mung 1 – Father's Tet – visiting relatives on the maternal side.
• Mung 2 – Mother's Tet – visiting relatives on the paternal side.
• Mung 3 – Teacher's Tet – Wishing Tet for teachers. During these three days, the ancestral altar should have a tray of offerings for ancestors and deities.

New Year greeting cards, Tet decorations, Tet fruit tray, year-end offerings, Tet poems, Tet captions, Tet day dishes, love Tet wishes

The Origin of Tet Nguyen Dan

There is considerable data on the origin of the Lunar New Year. Some information suggests that this day has its roots in China. Due to Vietnam being under Northern domination for 1000 years, their Tet culture was introduced. However, according to the folklore of Banh Chung Banh Day, Tet has existed since ancient times, even before the Northern regions invaded.

Why is it called Tet Nguyen Dan?

Tet is a derivative of 'Tiet' - meaning the burning of bamboo leaves. Broadly understood, this is a period in the year. Ancients divided the year into two main parts: the busy season and the leisure season.

During the busy season, there is hard work and no time for family gatherings. As for the leisure season, it allows time for family reunions, ancestral worship, and praying to deities for a bountiful harvest in the upcoming season.

In Hán – Việt phonetics, “Nguyên” means the beginning, while “Đán” refers to the early morning. Therefore, accurately pronounced, Tet Nguyen Dan should be “Tiết Nguyên Đán” – signifying the early morning of the new year.

Significance of Tet Nguyen Dan

What does Tet Nguyen Dan mean in present times? Many intriguing aspects have been passed down through generations, reflecting the unique cultural traits of the Vietnamese people.

The moment of convergence between heaven and earth

This marks the intersection of earth and sky, as one agricultural season concludes, making way for the next. With four seasons in a year – spring, summer, autumn, and winter – the transition from winter signals the beginning of a cyclic journey, mirroring the perpetual dance of the celestial bodies, as nature and humanity continue to flourish.

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Expressing gratitude to ancestors during the festive season

Tet Nguyen Dan is the moment when family members gather, expressing their gratitude to ancestors. This is symbolized by a table laden with precious items acquired throughout the year, a tray of five different fruits, and fragrant flowers. It's a time when ancestors are believed to return to celebrate Tet with their descendants, bringing blessings to the family.

Days of luck and hope

Tet marks a new year, a fresh start filled with luck and hope. During these days, people often gather to pick lucky plants and visit temples to ward off bad luck, hoping for a more auspicious year ahead.

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Families gathering together

Throughout the year, everyone is busy with work and responsibilities. Tet Nguyen Dan is the time when all worries are set aside, and the whole family gathers to reflect on the past year, acknowledge achievements, identify shortcomings, and plan for the upcoming year.

Expressing gratitude to the spirits

This is also the time when people can connect with the spiritual world, with deities, and with ancestors. The offering of a table full of food expresses gratitude for a year of abundant harvest. During this time, people rely on the spirits, praying for favorable weather, avoiding disasters, and a successful upcoming crop season.

What do Vietnamese people often do on Tet Nguyen Dan?

What are the customs of the Vietnamese people on Tet Nguyen Dan? There are many things that you and your family need to do on this occasion to have a complete Tet.

Ritual of worshiping Ong Cong, Ong Tao

The day of Ong Cong Ong Tao is the 23rd of the 12th lunar month. On this day, families perform a ceremony to send these deities back to heaven, informing the Jade Emperor about their business and life over the past year. Homes are cleaned and the kitchen is tidied up, while carp is prepared as a means to transport Ong Cong Ong Tao.

Tradition of making Chung cake and Tet cake

In the Northern region of Vietnam, Tet cannot be complete without Chung cakes, while in the South, there are Dày cakes and Tet cakes. These dishes are made from glutinous rice, known as the 'heavenly pearl,' the result of a year of hard work by the people. The cake filling is made from meat and beans, wrapped in green dong leaves.

Dày cakes symbolize the round sky, while Chung cakes symbolize the square earth (according to ancient beliefs). The combination of the two represents the harmonious balance of yin and yang, the intersection of heaven and earth. These cakes are offered on the ancestral altar to express gratitude.

Cleaning and tidying up the house

Cleaning the house to ensure everything is neat and welcoming for Tet is a tradition observed by every family. This not only brings a fresh and organized space but also signifies clearing away unfinished business, rearranging things that are not in order. Every corner is adorned with fresh and positive energy. Apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, and kumquat trees are placed in prominent positions, symbolizing the arrival of spring and prosperity.

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Displaying the tray of five fruits

The tray of five fruits on the ancestral altar is not just an expression of filial piety and gratitude. The colorful array of 5 types of fruits symbolizes wishes for a joyful and fortunate new year, complete with harmony and unity.

Grave visitation tradition

Before the 1st day of Tet, families will go to visit graves, tidy up the ancestral gravesite. After that, they light incense to invite ancestors to the family for the Tet celebration. This gesture expresses gratitude and appreciation for the protection and blessings the ancestors have provided throughout the year.

Year-end offering tray

The year-end offering tray is the final meal of the old year. After paying respects to deities and ancestors, it is set for the descendants to gather, enjoy, and engage in cheerful conversations. At the moment of transitioning from the old year to the new year, precisely at the Rat hour, the family will set up additional offering trays for the ancestors and the outdoor offering tray for Heaven and Earth, right in front of the house.

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Custom of first-footing

What is the custom of 'First-Footing' during Tet Nguyen Dan? According to beliefs, the first person to enter a home on the first day of the new year is considered the 'First-Footer.' If this person brings good fortune and is compatible in age, it is believed to bring luck to the homeowner. Therefore, homeowners often invite individuals of compatible age, known for their kindness and happiness, to be the 'First-Footer' to ensure a smooth year ahead.

New Year's greetings and birthday celebrations

Celebrating birthdays is a long-standing cultural tradition on Vietnamese New Year. Red lucky money envelopes are given to children with the hope that they will be obedient and grow quickly. The elderly also receive lucky money envelopes with wishes for health and longevity.

Dos and Don'ts on Tet Nguyen Dan

So, what are the dos and don'ts during Tet Nguyen Dan? Mytour will provide guidance below to ensure you have a fully lucky year.

Things to do

According to many beliefs, buying salt at the beginning of the year symbolizes a strong and lasting relationship, while buying lime at the end of the year is thought to ward off misfortune. Some also purchase lighters, baskets, and other lucky items based on regional beliefs.

During the Lunar New Year, many people choose to visit temples to cleanse their souls in the first days of the year. It's not only a time for personal reflection but also an opportunity to pray for blessings for family, relatives, and friends.

Things not to do

In addition to the dos, there are some things you should avoid during Tet. For example:

• Avoid giving or asking for fire on Tet day, as it is believed that the red flame symbolizes good luck.
• Avoid giving or asking for water, as water represents the flow of lucky fortunes.
• Avoid sweeping the house for the first 3 days of Tet to prevent sweeping away good fortune. Just tidy up the corners for cleanliness.
• Avoid breaking a broom, as it is feared to lose wealth.
• Avoid certain foods like dog meat, catfish, duck meat, as they are considered inauspicious.
• Avoid visiting to offer Tet wishes to a grieving family.
• Avoid borrowing money at the beginning of the new year.

Guide to calculating the time of Tet Nguyen Dan

Tet Nguyen Dan marks the beginning of the Lunar New Year, falling around January 21st to February 19th in the Gregorian calendar. The Lunar New Year celebration lasts from the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the 7th day of the first lunar month.

Lunar New Year holiday schedule 2023

In 2023, Tet Nguyen Dan, as regulated by the government, will last for 7 days. Specifically, from January 20, 2023, to January 26, 2023, corresponding to the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month in the Year of the Water Tiger to the end of the 5th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Fire Cat.

Mytour has provided you insights into Tet Nguyen Dan, its significance, and the activities during this festive occasion. Remember to visit Mytour to purchase quality Tet-related items at affordable prices with swift delivery.