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1. What is Han Thuc Festival?
Han Thuc Festival falls on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, Vietnamese families typically prepare rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes to offer during Han Thuc Festival.
In Korean, “Han” means “cold” and “Thuc” means “to eat.” Han Thuc Festival means a festival of eating cold food.
According to legend, in ancient times, the king of Tan, Tan Van Cong, faced turmoil and had to flee into exile, sometimes in the country of Te, sometimes in the country of So. The virtuous scholar Gioi Tu Thoi always stayed by the king's side to assist, devise strategies, and plan.
One day, while fleeing, Gioi Tu Thoi ran out of food. He cut off a piece of his own thigh to feed the king. Only after the king had finished eating did he realize Gioi Tu Thoi's sacrifice, and he was deeply moved.
Gioi Tu Thoi served the king faithfully for nineteen years, enduring hardships to hone his skills. When Tan Van Cong reclaimed the throne of Tan, he bestowed titles and rewards upon those who had served the king, but he forgot about Gioi Tu Thoi.
Gioi Tu Thoi believed that it was his duty to serve the king and did not harbor any resentment. He returned to his hometown and took his mother to live in seclusion in Dien Son mountain, leading a peaceful life.
King Tan Van Cong remembered him and sent someone to find Tu Thoi. However, Tu Thoi, indifferent to fame and fortune, did not return to claim his reward. The king then ordered the forest to be set on fire to force him out, but Tu Thoi and his mother chose to perish in the flames rather than leave.
At this point, the king regretted his actions. He built a shrine for Tu Thoi on the mountain and renamed it Gioi Mountain. The king decreed that people should not light fires for three days from the 3rd to the 5th day of the 3rd lunar month and only eat cold food.
2. Han Thuc Festival in Vietnam
Han Thuc Festival originated from Chinese mythology, but when it comes to Vietnam, this day holds a different spiritual significance, with certain adaptations made to fit Vietnamese culture.
Han Thuc Festival has been combined with the Rice Dumpling and Vegetarian Cake Festival, reflecting the characteristic lifestyle of Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people on this day do not abstain from fire and continue cooking as usual. Unlike China, Han Thuc Festival in Vietnam is not used to commemorate the virtuous scholar Gioi Tu Thoi; instead, it is a time for Vietnamese people to reflect on their roots and remember the contributions of their ancestors.
3. Significance of eating rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes during Han Thuc Festival
On the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, many families offer rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes as offerings to Buddha and their ancestors. In some places, people also worship the gods to express their gratitude and remember their origins.
Rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes of Vietnamese people carry the distinctive flavor of our national cuisine. We call it the rice dumpling and vegetarian cake festival more commonly than Han Thuc Festival.
Using rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes for offerings brings many good meanings, symbolizing the soul and cultural identity of Vietnam.
Both rice dumplings and vegetarian cakes use sticky rice flour as the main ingredient, reflecting the agricultural civilization of our nation. This image also symbolizes Lac Long Quan and Au Co with a hundred children.
Here's the explanation for what Han Thuc Festival is, as well as its significance and origins. Don't forget to follow Media Mart to quickly update useful information.
