Lowering Neu pole to mark the end of Tet holiday
In the past, the Neu pole lowering ceremony at the royal palace of the Nguyen Dynasty was performed to mark the end of the New Year holiday and prepare to enter a new working year.
In accordance with the old rites, the Neu pole lowering ceremony is solemnly re-created by Hue Monuments Conservation Center, including the Neu offering rite, ceremonial music and lowering the Neu pole that was erected before the Lunar New Year in The Mieu Temple and Trieu Mieu Temple.
After the Neu pole lowering ceremony, the seal opening ceremony was conducted to greet the new year. This ceremony is the opening rite for a working year of the ancient central administrative government with the hope that the whole year will be smooth and successful, and the country will be peaceful and prosperous.
Kim an (the restored golden seal) was taken down from the top of the Neu pole with four words “Phu - Tho - Khang - Ninh”, which symbolized Prosperity, Longevity, Good health, and Peace. Ancient people perceived that these words were wishes for the peace, auspicious start and longevity for the country, and luck and prosperity for the people.
At the seal opening ceremony, Mr. Hoang Viet Trung - Director of Hue Monuments Conservation Center, used the seal to stamp on the sheets on which the calligraphic words were carved, such as Phuc (Happiness), Loc (Prosperity), Tho (Longevity), Cat tuong (Good fortune), Binh an (Peace)… These calligraphic letters were given to visitors as wishes for good things and luck in the new year.
Following are some photos taken by Thua Thien Hue Online at the ceremony to lower the Neu pole and open the seal:
The ceremony to lower the Neu pole is performed in accordance with the old rites of the Nguyen Dynasty
Ceremony to worship the Neu pole before it is lowered
The Neu pole worshiping ceremony is conducted in the solemn ceremony music consisting of a small music team
and grand music team
The Rite of lowering the Neu pole
Openning the seal
Although it was raining and cold, a lot of tourists came to The Mieu temple to attend the ceremony to lower the Neu pole and open the seal
After the ceremony to lower the Neu pole, Hue Monuments Conservation Center opened the seal to greet the new year
Calligraphy sheets are good wishes to visitors in the new year
Kim an is sealed inscribed with four words "Phu - Tho - Khang - Ninh"
Excited with meaningful gifts at the beginning of the year
By Minh Hien