Hanoians bring fire home for luck in Lunar New Year

Thứ Hai, 18/02/2019, 20:21

PSNews - The traditional ritual of bringing home fire from the temple in the Lunar New Year has been maintained in An Dinh village for many years as people believe that the fire they get from burning votive papers at the village temple would bring luck to their families.

This year's "fire procession" ritual of An Dinh people (Yen Nghia Commune, Ha Dong District, Hanoi City) was held on February 15, or the 11th day of the lunar new year.

According to seniors in the village, the fire festival lasts from the 7th to the 11th of the first lunar month every year, in which the 8th, 9th and 10th day of the first lunar month are considered as the main days of the event.

However, during the last day of the festival, seniors of the village carry votive objects and offerings contributed by local people to the village temple's yard to celebrate a worshipping ritual.

At 9pm, after completing the ritual, elderly people of the village burn all of the votive objects and papers and give fire to people for luck.

People use candle or incense to store the fire at the village temple and quickly bring the fire home. They use the fire to light lamps or candles on every family's altar.

Hundreds of An Dinh villagers are trying to get fire from the pile of burning papers at the temple.

After successfully taking the fire, everyone holds a bundle of incense on fire in their hands and take them to their family altars.

They all wish for a lucky and prosperous year ahead.

By An Nhien