Unique Yin-Yang market in Kinh Bac region

Trading activities at the Yin Yang market

According to preserved documents, in the year of Nham Dan (43 AD), the Han Dynasty ordered Ma Vien to lead troops to attack the Trung Sisters. The enemy troops attacked Vu Ninh town, Tien Du district (Bac Ninh province) and met the Trung Sisters' troops, and a fierce battle broke out, many soldiers were sacrificed.

After the battle, the relatives of those soldiers returned to look for their loved ones after the Lunar New Year. They went to the battlefield to burn incense and votive papers for their loved ones. Gradually, people believed that the gates of hell only opened once a year on the night of the 4th and early morning of the 5th of January every year for people from the underworld to come and meet their loved ones on earth, and from there the yin-yang market was born. The market was held on the land that used to be the battlefield. Until now, the yin-yang market is no longer maintained, but the memory of this market still exists in the minds of the people here.

Going to the Yin-Yang market in O village in early spring is a way to pray for luck.

The market is considered a meeting of the yin and yang, helping the living to release their spiritual energy and have a peaceful soul. Therefore, the market is not noisy, buyers do not bargain, sellers do not set prices, and do not use lights for fear of scaring the spirits, losing the solemnity of the spiritual and mysterious space.

Going to the Yin-Yang market in O village in early spring is a way to pray for luck, comfort, and encourage each other to get rid of worries, exchange sadness for joy, buy good luck and sell bad luck... The market mainly sells votive papers, incense... used to burn for the deceased; in addition, it also sells wine, betel, salt, lighters, flowers, plants, seeds and fruits such as gac, tomatoes, papaya, carrots... At this market, there is a very special type of product for sale: black chicken, a symbol of mystery and spirituality. Only those who are really lucky can buy a black chicken to take home after the market.

Buying and selling black chicken at the Yin Yang market

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Hung, Head of Xuan O area, Vo Cuong ward, Bac Ninh city, said that with the attention of leaders at all levels and the support of local people, in 2022, the yin and yang market was officially restored with the opening ceremony at the communal house, the ceremony at Thuong temple, the opening ceremony; the ritual of setting up an altar by the abbot of Hong Phuc pagoda and 300 Buddhists chanting sutras and reciting Buddha's name to save all living beings, praying for national peace and prosperity, peace and prosperity, and good luck in all things. In addition to selling goods, the market also has ancient Quan Ho singing, singing, and writing beautiful calligraphy at the beginning of the year. After 2 years of restoration, many people have come to the yin and yang market in O village to buy good luck and sell bad luck, meet and show gratitude to deceased relatives.

Black chicken, a symbol of mystery and spirituality, is sold at the market.

According to the Standing Vice Chairman of the Bac Ninh City People's Committee Nguyen Manh Hieu, the yin-yang market in O village has many humanistic meanings, in which the outstanding value is to demonstrate the morality, lifestyle, and humane behavior of the living with the deceased, between the living and the dead worlds. The restoration of the yin-yang market in the traditional festival of Xuan O quarter is one of the tasks identified in the resolutions on the development of Bac Ninh city, demonstrating local efforts in preserving a unique, distinctive cultural activity in the Kinh Bac - Bac Ninh region, meeting the aspirations and expectations of the local community.

According to VNA