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When is Han Thuc Festival 2023?
Han Thuc Festival, also known as Cold Food Festival, signifies a day of eating cold food. In Chinese, '寒' means cold, and '食' means food.
On Han Thuc Festival, Vietnamese families traditionally prepare floating cakes and vegetarian dishes as offerings to their ancestors.
Han Thuc Festival 2023 falls on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month each year. This year, it lands on Saturday, April 22nd, 2023 on the Gregorian calendar.
Han Thuc Festival 2023 is on April 22nd on the Gregorian calendar.
Origin and Significance of Han Thuc Festival
Origin of Han Thuc Festival
Han Thuc Festival, a tradition among the Vietnamese people, involves making floating cakes and vegetarian dishes.
Han Thuc Festival originated from China, based on a fascinating tale passed down through generations. During the Spring and Autumn period (770-221 BC), King Tan Van Cong of the Tan kingdom faced turmoil and had to flee the country, seeking refuge in Te, later settling in So.
At that time, there was a nobleman named Gioi Tu Thoi who offered numerous strategies to the king. One day, amidst their flight, with food running scarce, Gioi Tu Thoi secretly cut a piece of his thigh meat to cook and offer to the king. Only after the king finished eating did he learn of the sacrifice, which deeply moved him.
Gioi Tu Thoi served under King Tan Van Cong for 19 years, enduring much hardship, experiencing bitter trials, and ultimately honing his talents.
In the future, Tan Van Cong reclaimed the throne, returning as the king of Tan country. He generously rewarded those who had served faithfully, but forgot about Gioi Tu Thoi. Gioi Tu Thoi, uninterested in fame and fortune, held no grudge, only believing in serving the king. Thus, he returned to his hometown, taking his mother to seclusion in Dien Son mountain.
Later, the king remembered and sent people to find Tu Thoi, but he adamantly refused to return for rewards, indifferent to wealth and prosperity. To compel Tu Thoi's return, the king ordered the forest to be set ablaze, but to his surprise, Tu Thoi remained resolute, and both mother and son chose to perish in the flames.
After Tu Thoi's death, the king deeply regretted his actions and erected a temple in their honor. Every year, on the 3rd of the 3rd lunar month, the day of Tu Thoi and his mother's death by fire, the use of fire for cooking or any other purpose is prohibited, even preparations for ceremonies must begin the day before. Hence, the 3rd of the 3rd lunar month became known as Cold Food Day.
Cold Food Day originates from China.
Although this festival has its roots in China, upon its introduction to Vietnam, it acquired its own distinct characteristics. Every year on the 3rd of the 3rd lunar month, people consume cold-prepared dishes as a gesture of reverence to their parents, ancestors, and the departed.
On this day, Vietnamese people do not abstain from fire and continue to cook as usual. Additionally, they have innovated dishes like floating cakes and vegetarian cakes symbolizing cold food.
Significance of Cold Food Day
Cold Food Day symbolizes returning to our roots
In Vietnam, Cold Food Day signifies remembering and honoring the deceased. On this day, people specially prepare floating cakes – representing cold food – to offer to their ancestors with deep respect, expressing gratitude and remembrance.
Families often make floating cakes and vegetarian cakes to offer to their ancestors on Cold Food Day
Reflecting Vietnamese culture and identity
Floating cakes and vegetarian cakes have long been popular in Vietnam. The image of floating cakes has been deeply ingrained in the nation's traditional poetry. Moreover, the ingredients used to make these cakes are from fragrant glutinous rice flour, showcasing the enduring rice culture of the Vietnamese people.
Furthermore, the image of round, white floating cakes and vegetarian cakes arranged neatly on a plate also evokes the legend of “Mother Au Co and the hundred eggs”.
Cold Food Day reflects the cultural essence of the Vietnamese people
Desire for favorable weather
Vegetarian cakes with their white outer layer representing yang and the yellow, bright inner mung bean filling representing yin symbolize the harmony between yin and yang. Therefore, making floating cakes and vegetarian cakes on Cold Food Day is also a wish for the summer to be less scorching, and the weather to be more favorable.
Tomb Sweeping Cold Food Day 2023
Below is the tomb-sweeping text for Cold Food Day according to “Traditional Vietnamese Tomb-Sweeping Texts” (Cultural Information Publishing House):
Tomb Sweeping Cold Food Day 2023
I pay homage to the nine heavens, ten directions of Buddha, and all Buddhas in ten directions. I respectfully bow to the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth Goddess, and all revered deities. I offer my respects to the celestial supervisors, ancestors, elders, siblings, relatives, and ancestors of both paternal and maternal lineages.
I honor our ancestors, male and female, elders, older siblings, younger siblings, paternal and maternal relatives.
Our revered deity is… Residing at…
Today, on the day of… (according to the lunar calendar), marking Cold Food Day, we deeply appreciate the blessings of heaven and earth, the revered deities, and remember the merits of our ancestors. With sincere hearts, we prepare offerings, betel leaves and areca nuts, floral incense, and burn incense to present before the altar.
We respectfully invite the Heavenly Emperor, divine guardians of the land, ancestral spirits, directional deities, dragon veins, and divine spirits to witness and accept our offerings.
We respectfully invite our ancestors, both paternal and maternal, to bestow their mercy upon their descendants and witness our sincere offering.
We, the homeowners, respectfully invite the spirits of our ancestors, predecessors, and successors residing in this house, on this land, to bless our entire family with health, peace, prosperity, harmony, and success in all endeavors.
Namo Amitabha Buddha (3 times).
4. Things to Avoid During Cold Food Day Offerings
To avoid unfortunate occurrences on Cold Food Day, it's advised to refrain from the following activities:
- Avoid quarrels or fights on Cold Food Day
- Instead of elaborate feasts, opt for modest offerings with sincere intentions.
- Avoid causing harm or taking lives on this day.
- Refrain from moving houses on Cold Food Day.
The above are details about Cold Food Day 2023, its date, origin, and significance. We hope that the information we've shared will help you understand more about Cold Food Day.
