Unique Tet street

(NLĐO) - Erecting a New Year's pole during the traditional Tet holiday symbolizes warding off evil spirits and bringing a peaceful new year.

For generations, the Vietnamese have traditionally erected a New Year's pole (cây nêu) during the Lunar New Year. The New Year's pole has become a sacred symbol of the Lunar New Year, serving both as a spiritual anchor and a place to express people's wishes for a peaceful and prosperous new year.

The New Year's pole is erected by the people on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month every year.

Vietnamese people typically erect a New Year's pole on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, after offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God and the Stove God as they ascend to heaven. Folklore holds that when these guardian deities are absent, the New Year's pole is erected to ward off evil spirits, dispel bad luck, and protect the family's peace and safety.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tuan, residing in Hung Dong ward, Vinh City, Nghe An province, shared: "Every year, my family, like many other families in the neighborhood, erects a tall New Year's pole in front of our gate. This is a centuries-old custom that my family has preserved with the wish for a peaceful and lucky new year."

The New Year's pole is usually made from tall, straight bamboo poles with evenly spaced segments.

For Vietnamese people, making a New Year's pole is quite simple. The pole is usually made from a mature, tall, thick, straight bamboo with evenly spaced nodes, and the top is left with a cluster of fresh leaves. A few pandan leaves may also be tied to the top to symbolize the clouds.

The New Year's poles are often decorated with flashing lights and lanterns to make them more eye-catching.

The tree trunk can be decorated with flags, lanterns, couplets, wind chimes, etc. White lime powder is sprinkled at the base to form a circle or an arc, with arrows pointing towards the gate to ward off evil spirits.

A residential area in Nghe An province is illuminated by ceremonial poles and decorative lights.

Depending on the region and specific customs, the New Year's pole will have different items hung on it, such as small bags containing betel nuts, large and small metal pieces, etc. On the 7th day of the first lunar month, the New Year's pole will be taken down; this is called the day of "Khai Ha" (Opening of the New Year).

Besides decorating with New Year's poles, national flags are hung along all the streets in Nghe An during the New Year.

In recent years, the tradition of displaying New Year's poles in Nghe An has been revived and spread throughout the districts, from the lowlands to the highlands. These unique pole-lined roads have made the Tet holiday scene even more beautiful and vibrant.

A street in Nghe An province is brightly illuminated by brightly decorated New Year's poles. Photo: T. Thang

Source: https://nld.com.vn/doc-dao-con-duong-neu-ngay-tet-196250131085554461.htm