First time holding the seal opening ceremony at Thang Long Imperial Citadel

To ensure the sacredness, the seal opening ceremony is conducted by the celebrant and dignitaries separately in Kinh Thien Palace.

On the morning of February 16, at Kinh Thien Palace in the Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic site (Hanoi), an incense offering ceremony was held to commemorate the kings and talented people who have contributed to the country.

The celebrant reads a blessing at the incense offering ceremony praying for a new year of national peace and prosperity, favorable weather and favorable winds. Photo: Giang Huy.

The incense offering ceremony recreated many ancient royal traditional rituals such as sacrifices and palanquin processions with the participation of sacrificial teams from Trieu Khuc village (Thanh Xuan), Yen Hoa village (Cau Giay), So Thuong village (Yen So), Van Canh village (Hoai Duc)... From early morning, the king's palanquin was carried by a procession of more than 400 people from Doan Mon yard - where the king often passed through - to the dragon yard in front of Kinh Thien palace according to traditional rituals.

For the first time, the seal opening ceremony was held on a pilot basis in Hanoi. To ensure the sacredness, the rituals were conducted by the celebrant and dignitaries separately in Kinh Thien Palace. The significance of the seal opening ceremony originated from the Tran Dynasty, after defeating the Yuan-Mongol invaders, at Thien Truong Palace, King Tran Thai Tong held a celebration party, conferring titles on officers and soldiers who had contributed to fighting the invaders and keeping the country peaceful. Later, in early spring, the Tran kings held the seal opening ceremony with the purpose of worshiping heaven, earth, and ancestors, opening a favorable working year for the government apparatus.

The royal palanquin procession from Doan Mon gate to Kinh Thien palace yard. Photo: Giang Huy.

Dr. Luu Minh Tri, Chairman of the Thang Long - Hanoi Cultural Heritage Association, said that the seal used today is made of red silk, imitating a Tran Dynasty seal found during an archaeological dig. "It is expected that every year the center will organize a spring opening ceremony to recreate cultural activities on the first day of the year of the royal court or among the people in different forms," ​​Dr. Tri said.

The Imperial Citadel is the place where many cultural activities take place, but this is the first time a large-scale incense offering ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of spring. The purpose is to let people know about the traditional cultural features that exist in the Thang Long citadel - the capital of the country, where 52 kings reigned through the dynasties.

According to vnexpress