Wax candles in the spiritual life of Thai people in Nghe An

(Baonghean.vn) – For the Thai people in Western Nghe An, candles made from beeswax are not only a source of light but also play an important role in their spiritual and religious life.

When bringing the beehive back to collect honey, the wax is put into a pot and boiled until the cream floats up, then the fire is turned off, waiting for it to cool down to scoop it out and store it as a candle. The wax will condense into a block over time, and when needed to make a candle, it will be heated over the stove until the wax becomes soft enough to separate easily and the mass, structure and size can be chosen as desired.

After being heated over a fire, the beeswax block becomes flexible and is kneaded into a candle shape, with a wick placed in the middle. Photo: Cong Kien

The soft wax block begins to be kneaded into shape, with a wick placed vertically in the middle. Depending on the needs of the homeowner, the candle is kneaded into large or small, long or short candles. When the outer surface is smooth, the shape is straight, and ensures aesthetics, the candle is completed, waiting for the homeowner to use it for lighting and worshiping.

In important worship rituals of the Thai people, in addition to the prescribed offerings, beeswax candles are almost indispensable. Photo: Cong Kien

According to Mr. Vang Kim Hue - a person who is quite knowledgeable about the customs and practices of the Thai ethnic group, residing in Can village, Tam Thai commune (Tuong Duong), wax candles are mainly used in rituals such as: funerals, soul redemption ceremonies (pang doi), making offerings and opening offerings. Some families also use them to light on the 30th night of Tet, on the full moon of January and August.

Compared to other types of candles, wax is not as bright but usually does not melt, has a characteristic scent of beeswax, when burning you can see through the flame. Perhaps that is why Thai people choose this type of candle to perform spiritual rituals, because they believe that the light, scent and smoke of wax candles are the bridge between the real world and the spiritual world, guiding ancestors to return to their descendants and guiding the souls of the deceased to the other world.

Compared to other types of candles, wax candles are not as bright but have the characteristic scent of beeswax. Photo: Dinh Tuan

In particular, in the Thai people's concept, the wax candle represents the sincerity of descendants to their ancestors, of the living to the deceased. During the ceremony, the smoke from the candle should flow in the direction where the ancestors are and will come from that direction. And this type of candle is also used as a medicine, when injured, you can hold a burning wax candle, inhale the smoke and then blow it on the wound, the air will feel comfortable and the skin will heal quickly.

Wax candles are used in the soul redemption ritual (pang doi) of the Thai people in Tuong Duong district. Photo: Dinh Tuan

Nowadays, there are many types of candles with beautiful designs, colors and scents on the market, but many Thai families still preserve the custom of making and using wax candles for worship and performing spiritual rituals. This shows the beauty of identity, the awareness of preserving cultural values ​​passed down from generations./.

Cong Kien - Dinh Tuan