The Yin and Yang Market, a unique gathering, takes place in O Village, Vo Cuong Commune, Bac Ninh City. What sets this market apart is that it occurs only once a year, on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of the Lunar New Year, which falls on the 4th and 5th of January in the lunar calendar. Locals and visitors from afar flock to this market not just for trading but also for a spiritual experience – a connection between the two worlds of the living and the dead.
**The Legendary Origin of the Yin and Yang Market**
According to folklore, the Yin and Yang Market emerged after a significant historical event in the year 43 AD, the year of the Tiger in the Chinese zodiac. This was when the Han dynasty army, led by General Ma Yuan, marched to fight the Trưng Sisters, who were leading a rebellion against Chinese rule. A fierce battle took place in Vu Ninh, Tien Du District, Bac Ninh, where the Trưng Sisters had their headquarters, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
Following the battle, relatives of the fallen soldiers returned to the battlefield after the Lunar New Year to search for their loved ones’ bodies and perform rituals, including offering incense and burning votive paper money for the deceased. Thus, a folk belief took root, holding that the gates of the underworld would open only once a year, on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of the first lunar month, allowing the deceased to return to meet their earthly relatives.
The Yin and Yang Market is thus considered a sacred place where the two worlds intersect. It is not merely a religious activity but also a way for the living to pray for the souls of their departed loved ones and to find spiritual solace and peace of mind.
**Distinctive Features of the Market**
Unlike any other market, the Yin and Yang Market has a serene, solemn, and mystical atmosphere. Shoppers are quiet and refrain from using lights, haggling, or bargaining. They believe that noise and light might frighten the spirits and disrupt the solemnity of the spiritual realm. Instead of everyday goods, people bring offerings like carefully reared black chickens for sacrificial rituals, along with votive paper goods, incense, candles, and betel and areca nuts for worship and remembrance of the dead.
Another unique aspect is that this market is not about making profits or seeking material fortune, as is usually the case with traditional markets.
At the entrance of the market, there is often a basin of water used for a ritual to distinguish between money from the underworld and that of the living. Shoppers drop a coin into the water, and if it floats, it is believed to be money from the dead; if it sinks, it is considered money from the living. It is not uncommon for people to find only shells, palm leaves, or even pieces of traditional breastcloth in their wallets after shopping at the market. This does not cause surprise or worry, as it is seen as a symbolic and sacred part of the ritual.
People come to the market with a calm and cheerful mindset, not seeking material gain. They are there to worship and connect with the underworld and find peace for their souls. The “trading” at the market is not about amassing wealth but is a solemn part of the ritual. Sellers do not quote prices, and buyers do not haggle, allowing everything to unfold naturally, based on trust and respect.
**Spirituality, Faith, and the Bond between Two Worlds**
The Yin and Yang Market is not just a cultural and religious event but also holds profound spiritual significance for the people of Kinh Bac. In today’s modern society, where traditional values are fading, this market retains its sacred nature, serving as a strong spiritual anchor for those seeking peace within their souls.
It is an opportunity for them to remember their ancestors and departed loved ones and to wish for peace and happiness for themselves and their families in the new year.
As the market disperses, with the sky still dark, locals and visitors often gather to drink water, chew betel nuts, and listen to the melodies of Bac Ninh folk songs, adding a touch of local culture to the atmosphere. These sweet tunes serve as an invisible thread connecting the past and the present, the living and the dead, and blending spiritual values with daily life.
**A Unique Cultural and Religious Symbol of the Kinh Bac Region**
The Yin and Yang Market, with its religious values, customs, and harmonious blend of spiritual and folk elements, is a precious cultural heritage of the Kinh Bac region. It is not just a meeting place for the deceased and the living but also a symbol of the connection between the past and the present and between the underworld and the living world.
The market’s continued existence and development over generations testify to its importance in the cultural and spiritual life of the people of Bac Ninh.
For those who have the opportunity to attend this market, it is not just an exciting experience but also a chance to delve into the profound spiritual beliefs, the reverence for ancestors, and the desire to bridge the two worlds of the living and the dead.
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