SOC TRANG -Full January, the temple to worship Nam Ong is decorated with hundreds of incense sticks with the name of the pilgrim.
Nam Ong communal house on Vo Dinh Sam street, P8, is the place of worship of the Chinese community, revered and worshiped by many people. Built in 1760, the temple was originally a small temple, made from raw materials such as trees and leaves, to worship Quan Thanh De (Quan Cong). Today the temple is embellished more spaciously, including three rooms, two wings (with the main hall, the middle and the rear) with the architectural harmony between the two cultures of China – Vietnam.
In the temple worshiping 5 men from left to right, including: Linh Quan Thien Ton, Mr. Chau Xuong, Quan Thanh De Quan (ie Quan Cong, in the middle), Mr. Quan Binh and Truong Tien Dai De.
Through historical ups and downs, with many restoration works, the statues worshiping the 5 men still maintain their durability, showing the talents of the ancient artisans when crafting statues, with armor made of lime and wood.
Outside the communal door is a statue of horse and quartet apricot tree, placed symmetrically on both sides. In the pilgrim’s belief, the horse symbolizes intelligence, strength, and agility, so many people burn incense or touch the horse statue to wish a favorable new year.
On February 21 (January 10), the housekeepers gather from morning to hang incense sticks (or incense sticks) and hang names for the people, visitors to pilgrimage on the full moon day of January.
The helpers were arranging the arrows to be inserted into the incense when hung from the ceiling. In the turret are Chinese characters, which mean blessings, peace, and health for the pilgrims.
“During the Covid-19 translation, those who hesitate to come to the house to light incense in the full moon in January, the house assistant will light it up,” said Ut, the house manager.
“Hanging incense is a local tradition. So from New Year’s Eve, many people come to write their names on the red pavilion, wishing for a prosperous new year, good health, “said Mrs. Chin, aide at the house.
Nam Ong communal house hangs incense sticks with two colors: dark red and dark yellow. Each patch of incense can burn in 15 days so it is also known as half-month incense.
Visitors to hang incense sticks on the occasion of the Lunar New Year, the full moon of January … also contribute funds to maintain operations and embellish the communal house.
Full moon in January this year, the communal house hangs up to the ceiling with 600 incense sticks, creating an impressive background when viewed from below.
The back room of the temple is worshiping the mystical. This is the ancestor worship of the Vietnamese people, with the meaning of commemorating and respecting the ancestors of their deceased ancestors.
After the South was completely liberated (April 30, 1975), Nam Ong communal house remained intact and the people continued to worship and contribute to embellish the temple. Over the years, the communal house is a place to store spiritual values, beliefs, contribute to diversifying spiritual and cultural tourism in Soc Trang.
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