What Are Couplets?
In literary terms, couplets are a form of parallel poetry that originated from Tao Fu, consisting of two opposing verses that express the thoughts, feelings, and intentions of the author. Couplets originated in China about 3,000 years ago and were initially written in Chinese characters by the Vietnamese.
The use of couplets is not arbitrary and must follow rules regarding tone, rhyme, and word count, as well as meaning. For poetic couplets, in the five- or seven-word verse form, authors must adhere to the rules of tone for the second and sixth lines. In Vietnam, couplets are categorized based on their purpose, such as congratulatory couplets, funerary couplets, worship couplets, and satirical couplets. This article will focus on exploring the tradition of New Year couplets.
Origin and Significance of New Year Couplets
New Year couplets originated during the Zhou Dynasty, when each household would hang two “Tao Fu” (peach wood charms) on their doors. According to the “Book of Later Han – Rituals and Ceremonies,” these charms were “six feet long (about 20 centimeters) and three feet wide (about 10 centimeters). The names of the two gods, Shen Tu and Yu Lei, who subdued evil spirits, were written on the peach wood charms. On the first day of the New Year, hanging these charms on the door was believed to ward off hundreds of evil spirits and bring good luck.”
Peach wood charms were thought to drive away evil spirits, suppress demons, and bring good fortune while dispelling bad luck.
During the Five Dynasties period, the royal court of the Western Han Dynasty began writing couplets on peach wood charms. According to the “History of the Song Dynasty – Shu Ke Jia,” it is written that the Later Shu emperor Meng Chang ordered the scholar Zhang Zun to write the following couplet on peach wood charms:
Xin nian na fu jing
Jia jie hao chang chun.
Translation:
A fortunate new year
A long-lasting festive spring.
This couplet is considered the first New Year couplet in the history of Asian countries. From the Song Dynasty onwards, New Year couplets became popular among the common people, and during the Ming Dynasty, the name “Tao Fu” was officially changed to “New Year Couplets” (Spring Couplets).
This custom gradually spread throughout East Asian countries, including Vietnam, Japan, and Korea. Currently, there is no precise research on when New Year couplets originated in Vietnam, but they were already popular during the Tran Dynasty. Besides bringing good luck, they also showcased the intelligence and wit of those who played with couplets.
Significance of New Year Couplets
Each New Year couplet carries profound and meaningful messages. New Year couplets are lines or verses through which poets convey their aspirations, intentions, and wishes for others to have a fortunate, peaceful, and joyful year.
Hanging New Year couplets in the house creates a solemn and warm atmosphere, bringing a sense of freshness and excitement. Sending New Year couplets to loved ones and friends strengthens relationships and brings joy and closeness.
Meaningful and aspirational New Year couplets also reflect people’s desires and motivations to start a new year with renewed energy and improvement. Additionally, according to ancient beliefs, hanging couplets helps ward off evil spirits and brings good fortune, dispelling misfortune and calamity for the coming year. Moreover, the tradition of playing with couplets showcases the wisdom, knowledge, morality, and traditions of the Vietnamese people.
Popular New Year Couplets
There are numerous well-known New Year couplets that have been passed down orally or documented in various texts. One of the most familiar couplets is:
Meat, pickled onions, red couplets
Tree, firecrackers, and green sticky rice cakes
This couplet is often recited during the New Year and New Year’s Eve celebrations. Red couplets and green sticky rice cakes are indispensable symbols when families gather for their year-end meals. Without these, the festive atmosphere of the New Year would be diminished.
In addition, we have many New Year couplets that echo the sentiments of East Asian countries, wishing for a prosperous and fortunate new year:
Spring brings health, virtue, and prosperity
The year brings boundless blessings and longevity
A fortunate new year
A long-lasting festive spring
Plum blossoms bloom to celebrate the new year
Peach blossoms welcome the arrival of spring
This spring surpasses all previous springs
Fortune and prosperity come to every household
Here’s a New Year’s greeting
Wishing you health, peace, and happiness
Green bamboo and golden apricot blossoms bring happiness and prosperity
Life is full of joy and health during the spring
Spring is everywhere, from homes to streets
Fortune descends from the heavens to the people
Plum blossoms bloom to celebrate the new year
Peach blossoms welcome the arrival of spring
Young and old, men and women rejoice in the new year
The arrival of spring brings happiness to the young and old
With each passing year, life brings new vitality
Spring spreads joy throughout the land and blessings to every home
These couplets evoke the joyful and festive atmosphere of the New Year and the arrival of spring. They express the excitement and happiness that the new year brings to every household. Spring follows us onto the streets, brightening every corner with its vibrant energy. These couplets also convey the common wishes of most people at the start of a new year. They hope for a year filled with wealth, career advancements, and achievements. The word “fortune” here symbolizes new growth, representing freshness, vibrancy, and a prosperous year ahead.
Best New Year Couplets for Different Occasions
During the New Year, it is customary to offer well-wishes to loved ones, strengthening relationships and fostering harmony. Here are some of the best New Year couplets for different occasions:
Couplets for Grandparents and Parents
Green bamboo and golden apricot blossoms bring happiness and prosperity
Life is full of joy and health during the spring
Couplets for Bosses and Businesses
A fortunate new year brings joy and prosperity
The year of the Tiger brings wealth and vibrant colors
Couplets for Customers
Health, peace, and prosperity
May your endeavors be as successful as a horse galloping towards its goal
Couplets for Teachers
There is no higher honor than being an educator
There is no greater glory than nurturing future generations
Couplets for Catholics
All creation welcomes spring, but it is finite
The faithful celebrate the eternal life of Christ
Couplets to Celebrate the New Year and the Communist Party
A prosperous country brings New Year’s greetings
A harmonious family exchanges spring greetings
Beautiful Couplets Celebrating Spring in Vietnam
Each happy individual contributes to the overall happiness of the country, making Vietnam “more spring-like” every day. If you appreciate beautiful couplets celebrating spring in Vietnam, you will surely appreciate the following:
Strong roots and vibrant branches bring spring to life across the land
Clear skies and calm seas bring spring to every corner of the country
Remember the nation in your heart: The people are the foundation
Live with integrity: Virtue is the root
May your home be filled with rituals and blessings
May your family be blessed with honor and wealth
May your home be filled with blessings and prosperity
May your days be filled with glory and honor
Concise and Meaningful New Year Couplets
If you’re looking for concise New Year couplets that still convey profound meanings, here are some options for you:
Green bamboo and golden apricot blossoms bring happiness and prosperity
Life is full of joy and health during the spring
A prosperous country brings New Year’s greetings
A harmonious family exchanges spring greetings
May your wishes come true, and may spring bring you joy
May your home be filled with blessings and prosperity
A fortunate new year
A long-lasting festive spring
Plum blossoms bloom to celebrate the new year
Peach blossoms welcome the arrival of spring
Best New Year Couplets for the Year of the Buffalo 2021
As the Year of the Buffalo approaches, why not consider these unique and exceptional couplets to decorate your beloved home?
Spring in a foreign land brings sadness and longing for the motherland
The new year away from home brings melancholy and nostalgia for the fatherland
May your year be filled with radiant joy and boundless blessings
May you be blessed with abundance and warmth throughout the year
May all directions bring good fortune
May you be blessed with longevity and good health
Bid farewell to the rat and welcome the buffalo, wishing for a happy spring
Greet the buffalo and celebrate a successful new year
Cheers to the passing year, filled with blessings and fortune
A toast to the new year, bringing wealth and prosperity
On the 30th evening, debts pile up, so kick poverty out the door
On the first morning, drunk with happiness, invite prosperity into your home
Best Couplets in Chinese Characters
Couplets written in Chinese characters hold a nostalgic and cherished value, reminding us of our childhood New Year celebrations. Here are some couplets that you won’t want to miss:
Spring is like a beautiful tapestry, and people are like jewels
Guests fill the house, and wine fills the cups
Translation:
Spring is like a silk brocade, and people are like jade
The house is filled with guests, and the cups overflow with wine.
May your home be filled with blessings and prosperity
May your days be filled with glory and honor
Translation:
May your home be filled with blessings and your years be prosperous
May your days be filled with honor and glory.
“May your life be as long as the heavens, and your years be as long as the mountains
May spring bring you happiness and blessings
Translation:
May your life be as long as the heavens, and your years be as long as the mountains
May spring bring happiness and blessings to your home.
Best Four-Word New Year Couplets
- May all your wishes come true – Health, peace, and prosperity
- May all seasons bring good fortune – May the new year bring health and peace
- May you achieve success and wealth – May your career and endeavors be fulfilled
- May your home be filled with blessings – Wishing you a happy new year
- May your home be filled with the fragrance of flowers – May your life be blessed with honor and wealth
- Wishing you a happy new year – May you have boundless health
- May your life be as long as the heavens – May spring bring harmony and good health
- May all directions bring good fortune – May you be blessed with longevity and good health
- Welcoming the arrival of spring – May swallows bring good news
- May your love be as strong as glue – May your happiness be everlasting
- May bamboo and apricot blossoms bring peace – May bamboo bring good news
- Wishing you a happy new year – May you have boundless health
- May the spring breeze bring you joy – May harmony bring you good fortune
- Welcoming the new year – May all directions bring good fortune
- Scholars and talented individuals – A family of virtue and integrity
- May your endeavors be successful – May your happiness be everlasting
- May your pockets be filled with money – May your life be as blissful as an immortal’s
- May your love be as strong as glue – May your happiness be everlasting
- May spring bring fortune to the seas – May apricot blossoms bring blessings to the five continents
- May all seasons bring good fortune – May the new year bring health and peace
- May the hundred clans be blessed – May spring bring harmony to all
- May spring bring blessings – May good fortune enter your home
- May your endeavors be successful – May your wealth and honor increase
- Wishing you a happy new year – May you have boundless health, success, and happiness – May your pockets be filled with money – May your life be as blissful as an immortal’s
- A thousand times, your wishes come true – A million times, your dreams come true – A billion times, you are surprised – A trillion times, you are happy
- May you eat well and gain weight – May your wealth be as abundant as candy – May your love be as strong as glue – May your happiness be everlasting
Best Five-Word New Year Couplets
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Beautiful Images of Traditional Vietnamese New Year Couplets
People often use Tết greetings or hang red couplets in front of their homes to wish each other happiness and good luck. The following article will compile beautiful images of Tết couplets that you can refer to.
