Origin and meaning of Lunar New Year
Legend has it that in the Han Dynasty in China, a palace maid intended to visit her parents on the full moon day of January, but was forbidden by her superiors, so she intended to plunge into the well to commit suicide because she was too sad to miss her parents. Touched by the girl’s filial piety, an official came up with a plan to help her. He told the king that, on January 16, heaven would send a fire god to burn down the city. To avoid disaster, people have to hang lanterns in front of their houses and in the street on January 15.
According to the king’s order, on the full moon day of January, every house hangs lanterns. While everyone was busy looking at those lovely lights, the young girl escaped home to visit her parents without anyone knowing.
Another legend has it that the swan that the Jade Emperor loved so much flew down to the earth to play and was shot and killed by a hunter. To avenge it, the Jade Emperor sent a heavenly soldier on January 15 (lunar calendar) to set fire to all humans and animals in the lower world. Fortunately for mankind, some gods did not agree with this harsh decision and risked their lives to come down to earth to offer a plan for sentient beings.
According to the gods’ advice, on January 15 every year, every house hangs red lanterns and sets off fireworks so that when the Jade Emperor looks down, he thinks that the houses and villages below are on fire. Thanks to that, humans and animals were saved from extinction. Since then, on January 15 every year, Chinese people often hang lanterns and cook meals, arrange parties, reunite with family, and celebrate a peaceful and lucky new year.
In Vietnam, the full moon of January means wishing for a good year, a stable family religion, a peaceful nation, and a good wind and rain. This is one of the two most important full moon days (besides the full moon of July, for Buddhists, the most important full moon day is April full moon – Buddha’s birthday). There is a folk saying that “All year is the full moon of the seventh month, all of them have the full moon of January”.
On this day, Buddhists will worship Buddha, other families worship the gods, the earth god, the earth and especially the ancestors, pay respects to their grandparents, parents, and thank their superiors for their blessings. family, children and grandchildren are healthy, business prosper in the year.
