Offering incense and releasing carp in the ancient river at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

Ms. Vu Thu Ha, Vice Chairwoman of Hanoi People's Committee and delegates attended the fish release and pole erection ceremony at Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

This is the opening activity in the series of programs celebrating the Lunar New Year of Giap Thin at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. The program aims to promote the cultural values of the ancient Thang Long royal court, introducing to the people and tourists the atmosphere of preparing for Tet and the customs during Tet.

According to documents from the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, the ancient Lunar New Year began on the 23rd of the 12th lunar month of the old year and ended on the 7th of the 1st lunar month of the new year. In the royal court, there were many unique New Year rituals, the first of which was the ceremony to worship the Kitchen Gods.

For many years, to recreate royal court rituals, the Center has organized an incense offering ceremony, after which the ritual group and the celebrant take the carp to the ancient river, discovered during archaeological excavations in the Imperial City, to release the carp.

Fish procession to the ancient river area of Thang Long Imperial Citadel.

The ritual of releasing carp into the river has the meaning of sending the Kitchen Gods to heaven, and also the meaning of releasing animals and praying for peace.

This activity has been held for many years and has become a tradition at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. This year, despite the dense fog, the carp release ceremony still took place amidst the joy of delegates and visitors.

One of the most important and anticipated ceremonies is the erection of the pole in front of Doan Mon. During the feudal period, the king himself or a high-ranking official was assigned this task.

Delegates prepare the ceremony before erecting the flagpole.

Foreign tourists join the ceremony before erecting the pole according to Vietnamese cultural traditions.

After a period of research, the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center in collaboration with the Thang Long Cultural Heritage Association successfully recreated this ceremony. Notably, the bamboo chosen to erect the pole was a male bamboo tree, with all branches cut off, leaving only the top and leaves. A long flag was hung on the top of the tree.

On the top there is also a small circle, where earthen bells or mascots are hung, so that when the wind blows, they hit each other and make a jingling sound in the wind with the meaning of warding off evil spirits, wishing for a happy spring, a peaceful year, favorable weather, and good crops.

After the rituals of worshiping heaven and earth, the pole was erected in an excited atmosphere.

Dinh Trung - Thuy Dung

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dang-huong-tha-ca-chep-vang-o-dong-song-co-tai-hoang-thanh-thang-long-post283408.html