Folk woodcut paintings – Beloved Tet Holiday Art in Vietnam

During Tet, in addition to hanging red parallel sentences, people always decorate their houses with Dong Ho woodcut paintings, a genre of Vietnamese folk painting originating in Dong Ho village of Bac Ninh province. However, not everyone understands the meaning behind these artworks.

The images depicted in these paintings are very familiar in everyday life, such as pigs and chickens. By hanging these paintings, people express their wishes for the new year, such as well-behaved children, many grandchildren, or abundant blessings.

Lion dance: The lion dance is often performed on special occasions such as the Lunar New Year or Mid-Autumn Festival, as the lion symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.

“Vinh Quy Bái Tổ” is a ceremonial reward to honor those who passed exams in the past. It is a time for new graduates to express their gratitude to their parents and teachers.

Tiến Tài – Tiến Lộc: Each picture represents a deity, with one hand holding a scroll symbolizing education, and the other hand holding a scroll symbolizing divine power. The couplet represents the ancient farmers’ hope for the support of the God of Wealth.

Eminence – Prosperity: The couplet expresses people’s wishes for wealth, many children and grandchildren, and perfect happiness.

Yin-Yang Pigs: According to ancient beliefs, the pig is considered the most beautiful animal, symbolizing prosperity and well-being. The image of the yin and yang vortex on the pig’s body represents fertility. People hang this painting in the belief that the new year will bring them good fortune and many children.

Chicken: People hang this painting in the belief that they will have a happy family with many healthy children and grandchildren.

Lễ Trí – Nhân Nghĩa: This couplet is a famous Dong Ho folk painting preferred by many people. It is also known as “Beautiful girls carry green turtles” and “Talented boys hold purple toads.” In the Lễ Trí painting, people expect their children to be polite in social behavior and intelligent in the future. Meanwhile, in the Nhân Nghĩa painting, people hope that their children will excel in their studies.

Peacock dance: This painting expresses people’s desire for a peaceful life. It also symbolizes repelling demons and praying for prosperity and peace in life.

Lý Ngự Vọng Nguyệt: This painting is often specially hung during Tet in houses where people have to take exams that year. The painting implies that students will study hard and successfully pass their exams. It is as if the carp can swim well and pass through heaven’s gate to become a dragon.

Phúc Lộc – Song Toàn: This painting represents the great happiness that people wish to have in life. It also conveys the desire for peace, success, luck, happiness, and fulfillment in life.

Blind Man’s Bluff: This painting vividly depicts a folk game that reflects the true life of Vietnamese people in rural areas.

Wrestling: Wrestling is a sport game that is held in Vietnamese villages during the spring. This game demonstrates human strength, as well as the martial spirit of the nation.

Swinging: This painting symbolizes the harmony between heaven and earth and represents farmers’ wishes for favorable weather and abundant crops in the new year. The game also illustrates the pure love and aspirations of young couples to soar high in the future.

Quan Họ Folk Songs: Quan Họ singing is a common practice in northern Vietnam, performed at rituals, festivals, competitions, and informal gatherings. Guests will sing various verses to their hosts before bidding farewell. These songs convey the spirit, philosophy, and local identity of the communities in this region, fostering social bonds within and between villages that share this cherished cultural tradition.

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