Erecting the New Year's pole - evoking the spirit of spring from ancient customs.

(GLO) - Erecting a New Year's pole is a long-standing custom in Vietnamese culture. This beautiful tradition had faded away, but in recent years, many localities in Gia Lai province have revived it as a community cultural activity, contributing to the preservation and promotion of traditional values.

Spiritual symbols of Tet (Vietnamese New Year)

According to many folklore studies, the custom of erecting a New Year's pole is associated with the belief of warding off evil spirits and praying for peace in the early days of the new year. The pole is usually erected at the end of the lunar year, commonly from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month until before New Year's Eve. It is made from a tall bamboo pole, with symbolic items such as leaves, wind chimes, and amulets hanging from the top. The sound produced by the wind is believed to ward off bad luck and protect the family during the transition from the old year to the new.

Each New Year's pole erected not only adds to the festive atmosphere of spring but also carries the meaning of preserving the traditional cultural beauty of the nation. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

In the book "Vietnamese Customs ," cultural scholar Phan Kế Bính recorded that: "In many places, bamboo is cut to erect the New Year's pole, bundles of gold or banyan branches are hung, lime powder is sprinkled in the yard, and bows and arrows are drawn... to ward off evil spirits, hoping for a peaceful new year." These records show that the New Year's pole not only marks the time of the traditional Tet holiday but also reflects folk beliefs about protecting land and homes.

Cultural researcher Professor Vu Ngoc Khanh also stated in his book "Complete Vietnamese Customs" that the act of erecting a New Year's pole (neu) symbolizes warding off evil spirits and preventing negative elements from invading the living space. According to descriptions, the New Year's pole is usually a bamboo stalk with all branches and leaves removed, leaving the top part to hang red paper, chicken feathers, or symbolic decorative items. The way the pole is erected varies between regions, but all clearly demonstrate cultural symbolism and are associated with each family's preparations for Tet (Vietnamese New Year).

Decorations symbolizing warding off evil spirits and praying for peace are hung on the top of the New Year's tree, representing a traditional folk cultural feature of the Tet holiday. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Cultural researcher Professor Vu Ngoc Khanh also pointed out that the origin of the custom of erecting the New Year's pole is related to the influence of Taoism, with objects hanging on the pole representing yin-yang elements, symbolizing cosmic order and belief in harmonious balance. The image of a carp flag or a paper horse at the top of the pole evokes the image of the means by which the Kitchen God ascends to heaven. After Tet, the ritual of taking down the pole marks the end of the festive period, bringing life back to its normal rhythm.

However, due to urbanization and changes in living conditions, the custom of erecting the New Year's pole has gradually diminished in community life. Limited living space and the modern pace of life have led to fewer appearances of the New Year's pole, mainly seen in rural areas or in cultural reenactment activities.

Preserving national cultural identity

In recent years, many localities in Gia Lai province have proactively revived the custom of erecting the New Year's pole as a community cultural activity to preserve traditional values. During the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, many places in the province organized the erection of the New Year's pole in conjunction with cultural activities and festivals at the beginning of the year, creating a spring atmosphere rich in cultural identity.

In Tuy Phuoc commune, the local authorities erected three ceremonial poles in the grounds of Go Market (in Phong Thanh village) to decorate for the Go Market Spring Festival in the year of the Horse 2026, which took place over the first two days of the year. Mr. Thai Van Thuan, Vice Chairman of Tuy Phuoc commune, said: “This activity not only recreates the atmosphere of Tet (Vietnamese New Year) of the past but also becomes a common gathering and community connection event. The poles are decorated harmoniously, blending traditional and creative elements, contributing to a vibrant spring scene in the locality.”

A New Year's pole was erected in the grounds of Go Market (Tuy Phuoc commune), contributing to the recreation of the traditional Tet atmosphere during the Go Market Spring Festival in the year of the Horse 2026. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Phong Thanh village (Tuy Phuoc commune) continues to take on the responsibility of erecting the New Year's pole after many years of participating in the competition and achieving good results. Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Head of the Front Committee of Phong Thanh village - shared: "The New Year's pole is erected according to traditional customs, with New Year's couplets hanging on it, expressing wishes for national peace and prosperity, reflecting the people's faith and expectations for the new year as the country rises to enter a new era."

In Nhon Chau island commune, the New Year's pole erection activity involved the participation of the villages of Dong, Tay, and Trung, contributing to a joyful atmosphere for officials, soldiers, and people celebrating the spring and welcoming the New Year. Mr. Duong Hiep Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Nhon Chau commune, said: "Along with the pole erection, the commune organized a series of activities such as a spring market, folk singing, traditional opera, folk games, and sports competitions, enriching cultural life at the beginning of the year."

The island commune of Nhơn Châu erected a New Year's pole, creating a festive atmosphere for the people, officials, and soldiers. Photo: Provided by the People's Committee .

In Quy Nhon Dong ward, the pole-erecting competition attracted 19 teams from various neighborhoods, who erected 19 poles along with a central pole for the ward. After judging and awarding prizes, the poles will be taken down on the 7th day of the first lunar month according to tradition.

Many young people who participated in erecting the New Year's pole said that the practical experience helped them better understand traditional customs, thereby raising their awareness of preserving national cultural identity. Representatives from several neighborhoods in Quy Nhon Dong ward also encouraged residents to erect New Year's poles at their offices and homes, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the residential area.

Mr. Le Cao Hung, head of neighborhood 2 (Quy Nhon Dong ward), said: “Besides participating in the New Year's pole erection competition organized by the ward, we also erected a New Year's pole at the neighborhood headquarters and encouraged residents to erect poles at home, adding to the joyful atmosphere of spring. Through this, we preserve traditional cultural values, strengthen community bonds, and encourage people to participate in collective activities.”

The New Year's pole-erecting competition organized by Quy Nhon Dong ward attracted a large number of participants from various neighborhoods, creating a highlight of community cultural activities at the beginning of spring. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

According to Mr. Bui Duy Ninh, Vice Chairman of the Quy Nhon Dong Ward People's Committee, organizing the New Year's pole erection competition is a practical solution to preserve intangible cultural heritage. Through community activities, people - especially the younger generation - have the opportunity to directly access traditional customs, contributing to enriching their spiritual lives and preserving the beautiful values ​​of the traditional Tet holiday.

The traditional New Year's pole has been restored to reflect ancient customs, but in harmony with modern tastes, featuring LED lights, pennants, and tinsel. Photo: Ngoc Nhuan

Although not as widespread as before, the revival of the tradition of erecting the New Year's pole demonstrates the efforts of localities in Gia Lai province to link economic development with the preservation of cultural identity. These poles, erected every spring, are not only decorative but also symbols of cultural memory, reminding us of the continuation of tradition in contemporary life.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/dung-neu-don-tet-goi-sac-xuan-tu-my-tuc-xua-post580212.html