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The Ancient Art of Lunar New Year Couplets: Unveiling the Origins and Significance

The tradition of displaying couplets during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is a long-standing and beautiful aspect of Vietnamese culture. Unravel the origins and significance of this age-old practice by delving into the following article, which explores the question: "Where did the tradition of Tet couplets originate, and why are they so important?"

Administrator

6 August, 2024

As Tet approaches, Vietnamese families start cleaning their houses, hanging decorations, and buying kumquat or peach blossom trees. However, the most important tradition is hanging Cau Doi, or Spring Couplets, which are believed to bring good luck and prosperity for the new year.

1What are Tet Couplets?

What are Tet Couplets?

Tet Couplets, also known as Spring Couplets or Xuan lien, are a form of literary art that consists of two corresponding clauses expressing the author’s intentions, perspectives, and emotions during the Tet holiday.

These couplets are an indispensable part of the Lunar New Year celebrations in Vietnam and other Asian countries. They are typically written on pink or red paper using ink or gold powder, and some are even written on red paper with gold leaf. The content conveys best wishes for a happy, prosperous, and fortunate new year.

See also: Best Tet Greetings to Send to Your Loved Ones

2Origin of Tet Couplets

Origin of Tet Couplets

The tradition of Tet Couplets originated in China during the Zhou Dynasty: “On the first day of the new year, each household would hang two wooden charms made from peach wood, called “dao fu”, on their doors. These charms were believed to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck, and they had the names of two gods, Shen Tu and Yu Lei, written on them.”

During the Five Dynasties period, in the Western Han Dynasty palace, the content written on these peach wood charms evolved into couplets. Specifically, according to the “Song Shi – Shu Shi Jia”, Emperor Meng Chang of the Later Shu Dynasty ordered the scholar Zhang Zun to write the following couplet:

“Xin nian nao yu jing – Jia jie hao chang chun” (May the new year be filled with blessings – May your home always be filled with spring)

This was the first Tet couplet in the history of Asian countries. From the Song Dynasty onwards, writing Tet couplets became a popular custom.

During the Ming Dynasty, the name dao fu was officially changed to Spring Couplets or Chun Lian. This custom spread widely to other Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.

In Vietnam, the tradition of Tet couplets became popular during the Tran Dynasty, and it not only carried the meaning of good luck but also showcased the intelligence of the writer.

3Significance of Hanging Tet Couplets

Significance of Hanging Tet Couplets

Tet couplets are usually written on pink or red paper, as these colors are believed to bring joy and vibrancy, according to traditional Vietnamese beliefs. Each word and sentence is carefully chosen to convey wishes for a fortunate and happy year.

Hanging Tet couplets also directs people towards the “truth-goodness-beauty” ideal. This tradition has long been a part of Vietnamese cultural beliefs. The red couplets, written in the Latin alphabet, showcase the writer’s intellect and artistic skills.

Tet couplets often express respect and sincerity towards elders and bestow wishes of prosperity and success upon loved ones during the holiday season.

4Modern Trends in Writing Tet Couplets

Modern Trends in Writing Tet Couplets

Here are some modern trends in writing Tet couplets:

Using Chinese or Nom Characters: Some families choose to buy couplets written in Chinese or Nom characters, even if they don’t fully understand their meanings. They believe that all Tet couplets convey general wishes for a lucky and prosperous new year.

Vietnamese Calligraphy: Besides Chinese and Nom characters, Tet couplets written in Vietnamese calligraphy are also popular. This is because Vietnamese calligraphy is easier to understand and has a high artistic value, with elegant and beautiful lettering.

Emphasizing Meaning Over Length: Instead of focusing on the length of the couplet, people now prioritize the meaning and sentiment conveyed in wishing for a lucky, peaceful, and prosperous year.

In addition to couplets, traditional Tet celebrations include banh chung (square sticky rice cakes), banh tet (cylindrical sticky rice cakes), various types of dried candied fruits, and the essential mam ngu qua (five-fruit tray), all of which symbolize wishes for a plentiful and fortunate new year. Join us in preparing a beautiful five-fruit tray to welcome a meaningful new year!

See also: Traditional Vietnamese Foods for Tet Holiday

Frequently asked questions

The ancient art of Lunar New Year couplets is a traditional custom that dates back to the Shang Dynasty in China. It involves writing poetic couplets, often in calligraphy, and posting them on both sides of a door during the Lunar New Year celebrations. This custom is believed to bring good luck, ward off evil spirits, and invite positive energy into the home.

The couplets are written in pairs to represent balance and harmony. Each pair consists of two lines of poetry that complement each other, with the first line stating a wish or blessing, and the second line completing the thought or providing a response.

The content and themes of the couplets are carefully chosen to reflect the values and aspirations of the family. Common themes include good fortune, health, longevity, family harmony, and success. The couplets may also feature references to nature, seasonal changes, and traditional symbols associated with the Lunar New Year, such as plum blossoms, oranges, and lucky characters.

The couplets are typically displayed on either side of the front door or main entrance of a home. They can also be hung on the gates or walls of temples, businesses, and public spaces. It is believed that the poetic verses, often written in elegant calligraphy, not only bring aesthetic beauty but also create a festive atmosphere and convey blessings to all who pass through.

Yes, there are certain traditions and rules associated with the practice. For example, the couplets are usually written vertically, with the first line on the right and the second line on the left, following the direction of reading in Chinese culture. The act of writing the couplets is often seen as a form of art, with some families hiring professional calligraphers or engaging in the practice themselves as a way to showcase their artistic skills.