Celebrating Longevity at the Beginning of Spring
(Baonghean)For generations, the custom of celebrating longevity at the beginning of the year has become a beautiful and meaningful cultural tradition of our people. Those being celebrated are elderly people, usually 60 years old or older. In folk beliefs, these are people who have enjoyed "heavenly longevity."
"Longevity" is one of the greatest things people desire: "Wealth - Nobility - Longevity - Health - Peace." Vietnamese people often consider elderly people and families with elderly members to be greatly blessed, believing that their long lives and numerous descendants are due to this great fortune. Celebrating longevity is a way to celebrate this blessing. There's an anecdote that goes like this: In the early 20th century, Tam Nguyen Yen Do, who had risen to the rank of Governor-General and reached the age of "ancient rarity," still bowed deeply before an 80-year-old farmer upon returning to his village. According to the farmer, titles and positions can be bestowed by kings and emperors, but age is a gift from heaven.
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Therefore, the custom of celebrating longevity has existed in every era and every place. This solemn ceremony is usually held in the early days of spring (Lunar New Year). Compared to the past, the custom of celebrating longevity today, although it has added many new rituals, is usually organized in two forms: by the government or local senior citizens' associations at the village communal house (or cultural center) and by the children and grandchildren privately at home.
At the village temple's longevity celebration, the elderly are congratulated by the authorities and their contributions to social work and the education of their descendants are recognized. Meanwhile, the longevity celebration at home is an opportunity for children and grandchildren to express their gratitude to their parents and grandparents. Through this ceremony, everyone has the chance to demonstrate the principle of "drinking water, remembering the source."
Celebrating a birthday is entirely voluntary, conducted with a sacred and solemn spirit, and not for any personal gain. Whether large or small, the celebration should reflect the family's joy at having an elderly member. Birthday celebrations are about longevity, not about showing off titles or wealth. Those celebrating their birthdays receive respect from the government, their children, and their neighbors; they gain no additional privileges.
To this day, the "Elderly Celebration" custom has added rich rituals such as composing poems and couplets to wish longevity, performing arts, children and grandchildren giving flowers, and taking commemorative photos… But generally, this celebration still retains the meaning of honoring longevity – a blessing bestowed by heaven. And the longevity celebration ceremonies, the wishes, the red silk robes, the headscarves, the celebratory wine… will forever be an invaluable source of spiritual encouragement for the elderly as they enter the autumnal years of their lives.
Text and photos: Phan Tú
