On the day of the Ancestor Worship, people eagerly head to the Hung Temple to offer incense in remembrance of the roots of the nation. But specifically, who are we commemorating? Many may not know.
The Hung Kings’ Festival, also known as Hung Temple Festival, is a national holiday aimed at honoring and expressing gratitude from the descendants of Dai Viet for the contributions of the Hung Kings in founding the nation. Every year, on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, people flock to the Hung Temple to make offerings, light incense, and show their respect and remembrance for the nation’s roots.
According to legend, our country had 18 generations of Hung Kings. Each king is counted as a dynasty, similar to the Le dynasty, Nguyen dynasty, and so on, and there could be one or even several dozen kings. Therefore, although there are only 18 generations of Hung Kings, history records that during this period our country had up to 108 kings.
So, on this day, whom are we worshipping? Have you ever wondered about this?
Every year, on the 10th day of the 3rd lunar month, people eagerly head to the Hung Temple to make offerings and light incense.
Hung Kings’ Festival: Who Specifically Are We Commemorating?
Clearly, the Hung Kings’ Festival is a single day, so which king are we commemorating? This is a question that many still wonder about.
The Hung Kings’ Festival is also known as the Hung Temple Festival.
First, we must talk about the origins of the Vietnamese nation. Legend has it that King Duong Vương married Long Nu and fathered Lac Long Quan. Lac Long Quan later married Au Co, giving birth to the Hung Kings.
Thus, the Hung Kings are the direct descendants of King Duong Vương, and this title was used for dozens of kings that followed. Therefore, the ancestor worship logically should be dedicated to King Duong Vương, honoring the ancestor who founded the nation.
Statue of King Hung in the monument dedicated to the Hung Kings in Tao Dan Park. (Photo: baolaodong).
In fact, according to some historical documents, the ancestor worship has existed for 2,000 years. During the time of Thuc Phan – An Duong Vuong, a stone pillar of oath was erected on Nghia Linh Mountain, stating: “May the heavens and earth bear witness, let the land of Nam stay forever at the shrine of the Hung Kings, I ask for eternal care of the Hung family’s mausoleum and to preserve the territory that the Hung Kings left behind; if I fail to keep my promise, may the winds scatter and the hammer strike.”
The ancestor worship has existed for 2,000 years.
Subsequent kings also remembered and affirmed the importance of the era of the Hung Kings, who built the nation. That is why each year a day is set aside to honor those who established and built the country – the Hung Kings in general.
Why the 10th of the 3rd Lunar Month?
So, is the 10th of the 3rd lunar month the death date of all the Hung Kings? Of course not.
In the past, people did not have the custom of visiting the temples on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month; they often chose auspicious days according to their own fortune and rushed to pay respects to the Hung Kings throughout the year. The busiest times usually fell in the spring and autumn months, without a specific date set.
Local ancestor worship ceremonies were often held on the 12th of the 3rd lunar month combined with the worship of the local deity.
Typically, when descendants return from afar, they would hold the memorial one day before rather than organizing a large-scale national festival.
This meant that the worship time was often prolonged, causing financial burdens and failing to clearly express respect and unity among the people.
Since then, on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month, people across the country have headed to Phu Tho to honor the contributions of the Hung Kings.
Recognizing this, Phu Tho provincial governor Le Trung Ngoc in 1917 (the first year of the Khai Dinh reign) submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Rituals to officially designate the 10th of the 3rd lunar month each year as a national holiday.
Since then, on the 10th of the 3rd lunar month, people across the country have headed to the land of origins – Hy Cuong commune, Lam Thao, Phu Tho to honor the contributions of the Hung Kings.
This year’s Hung Kings’ Festival (10/03 Lunar calendar) falls on Thursday, April 18, 2024, Gregorian calendar.
Source: Hung Kings and the Hung Temple Festival – Publisher: Writers Association, Lac Hong University
