Sealing or wrapping up the royal seal was a ritual performed by ancient kings, signifying the cessation of work to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Presenting the calendar was a ceremony of offering the new year's calendar to the king, who then distributed it to the people as a basis for planning crops and other ceremonies.
Erecting the New Year's pole is a traditional Vietnamese custom during the Lunar New Year. It is also an important court ritual. During the monarchical period, the king himself, or a high-ranking official, was assigned this task, usually on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month. After a period of research, the Thang Long- Hanoi Heritage Conservation Center, in collaboration with the Thang Long Cultural Heritage Association, successfully restored this ritual.
The bamboo chosen for the New Year's pole is a male bamboo, with all its branches cut off, leaving only the top and leaves. A long banner is hung from the top. A small circle is also attached to the top, holding clay bells or other symbolic objects. When the wind blows, these bells jingle, symbolizing the warding off of evil spirits and the wish for a joyful spring, a peaceful year, favorable weather, and a bountiful harvest.
After the rituals of offering sacrifices to heaven and earth, the New Year's pole is erected amidst the joyful atmosphere of the people, signaling the arrival of a new year.
Earlier, at the Kính Thiên Palace, part of the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, the Organizing Committee held a ceremony to worship the Kitchen God. After completing the ritual, the ceremonial procession, along with the chief priest, released carp into the ancient river, discovered during archaeological excavations at the Imperial Citadel.
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, Tet celebrations at Thang Long Imperial Citadel this year have been simplified. The main activity is the 2022 Vietnamese Tet program with the theme "Advancing the Calendar to Welcome Spring," held online.
To facilitate the online exhibition, the Organizing Committee combined filming, visual presentations, and staging to allow visitors to experience the event in the most vivid and realistic way possible. This activity helps the public learn more about Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in the past and provides an additional form of sightseeing and entertainment during the Tet holiday. The online exhibition websites are www.hoangthanhthanglong.vn and www.trungbayonline.hoangthanhthanglong.vn.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/dung-cay-neu-don-tet-o-hoang-thanh-thang-long-post683340.html
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