Perform: February 21, 2024
(To Quoc) - Every year on the evening of the 11th day of the first lunar month, at the An Dinh village communal house (Ha Dong district, Hanoi ), people hold a fire procession ceremony. Votive paper is burned, and people take the fire home, a tradition called "taking the red" for the new year.
Every year on the 11th day of the first lunar month, the people of An Dinh village (Ha Dong district, Hanoi) have a long-standing tradition of asking for fire to bring good luck. Around 8:45 PM, the elders begin beating drums to signal the start of the ritual, preparing to conclude the festival and burn offerings.
When the clock struck exactly 9:00 PM, the sound of gongs and drums echoed from the inner sanctuary, and all the votive offerings from the prayer ceremony were brought out to the temple courtyard to be burned as an offering to the ancestors.
When the fire is brought out from inside the temple, the votive offerings burst into flames, and villagers rush to light incense sticks to "take the red color." For the people of An Dinh, the "taking the red color" ritual has sacred and auspicious meaning.
The villagers of An Dinh consider lighting incense with the flame of votive paper as "taking the red," which symbolizes good fortune and prosperity. Hundreds of people come to ask for the flame, but there is no pushing or shoving. They tend to each other's flames, demonstrating strong community spirit.
After "taking the red cloth," the villagers of An Dinh rush home to offer it to their ancestors. The belief is that whoever returns home the fastest after "taking the red cloth" will receive good fortune and blessings.
Mr. Trung arrived early today with his son and a neighbor's child. Sharing with the reporter, Mr. Trung said: "Every year around this time, I bring my son along so he can learn about the customs and beauty of the place where we live. I do this 'taking the red' ritual every year; it's become an indispensable habit. 'Taking the red' is to bring good luck home for a prosperous new year."
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