Lowering Neu Pole, Opening Seal to Celebrates New Year
Marking the end of the Lunar New Year holiday, on the morning of the 7th day of Lunar New Year (January 28), Hue Monuments Conservation Center held a ceremony to lower the Neu pole and open the seal to greet the new year at The Mieu Temple and Trieu Mieu Temple – Imperial City. According to Director of the Hue Relics Preservation Centre Hoang Viet Trung, under the Nguyen Dynasty, the rituals marked the end of the Lunar New Year holiday and the start of work and normal activities. Photo courtesy of the centre The Neu pole was erected on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, marking the beginning of Tet. It coincides with the day when the Kitchen Gods are believed to ride a carp to Heaven to report on events from the past year. Photo courtesy of the centre During 143 years of its reign (1802 – 1945), the Nguyen Dynasty held an annual ceremony to plant the Neu at the Imperial Citadel. Photo courtesy of the centre The pole carried ritual items on its...