Why is there a ceremony involving firing 21 cannon shots?

On the morning of September 2nd, a military parade will be held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day. Simultaneously with the parade, a 21-gun salute will be fired at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. This ritual has existed for quite some time in Vietnam and around the world, but not many people know its origin and significance.

Over 400 years ago, some European countries had the custom of firing cannons to welcome distinguished guests. However, at that time, this ritual was only common on warships.

When a warship from one country enters the port of another, the cannons on the warship must fire all their ammunition to show that they have no hostile intentions.

The ceremony involved firing 21 cannon shots.

In the past, warships were light in weight, and the number of cannons mounted on them could not exceed 7, all of which were muzzle-loading. Therefore, firing the cannons was very strenuous, and they could only be fired one at a time until all 7 were fired.

Meanwhile, on the fortifications of the harbor, the hosts positioned many cannons, and they fired three shots in response and as a welcome.

The product of 3 x 7 is 21, which is the origin of 21 cannon shots.

Later, this custom gradually became an international practice. It was not limited to cases where the navy had to enter another country's port. This ritual was also applied on holidays and when receiving distinguished guests.

Originating from England?

Another explanation suggests that this ritual originated in England. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the United Kingdom was very powerful and had many colonies around the world.

Whenever British warships passed by or entered the fort or harbor of a colony, they demanded that the enemy fire 21 cannon shots as a sign of respect and submission, while the British warships responded with only 7 shots.

Later, this ritual spread to other countries around the world, becoming common practice during holidays or when welcoming heads of state.

In fact, there are many interpretations of the origin of the number 21. Some believe that Western navies often considered the number 3 to be a powerful number and the number 7 to be a mystical number. Their product equals 21, so the number 21 should be reserved for distinguished guests.

Another opinion suggests that, at that time, the largest warships only had 21 cannons, so when all 21 cannons on the warship fired 21 shots into the air, it was the most sincere greeting ritual.

In 1772, England stipulated that a 21-gun salute was a major ceremony to welcome the king and queen. In 1837, the United States stipulated that a gun salute was an important ceremony, but fired 26 shots.

In 1875, the U.S. State Department and the British Resident in the United States agreed to adopt the naval practice of firing 21 cannon shots for the most important ceremonies and 19 for other ceremonies.

Welcoming the Head of State

Currently, countries around the world typically conduct a 21-gun salute when welcoming a head of state, and a 19-gun salute when welcoming a prime minister. The number of gun salutes and other ceremonial details vary from country to country.

For example, Britain mandates a 62-gun salute on the Queen's birthday, while the United States fires a 50-gun salute on Independence Day (representing the 50 states).

When the People's Republic of China was established on October 1, 1949, it used 54 cannons to fire 28 volleys to symbolize the first session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, attended by representatives from 54 provinces, and to mark 28 years of the Chinese Communist Party's leadership of the people's arduous struggle leading to the ultimate victory and the birth of the new China.

Today, this ceremony is only performed for countries with special relations when welcoming heads of state or on major national holidays.

During President Truong Tan Sang's visit to China a few years ago, a grand welcoming ceremony was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, according to the protocol for heads of state. Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the ceremony, and the national anthems of both countries were played solemnly by the military band, accompanied by a 21-gun salute.

Upon arriving in Indonesia, President Truong Tan Sang was also welcomed at the Presidential Palace of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono with the highest protocol reserved for heads of state, including a 21-gun salute.

According to Petro Times