Why do we offer banh troi and banh chay during Han Thuc Festival?

Banh troi and banh chay are two indispensable dishes on the Han Thuc Festival offering tray. Although they look simple, these two cakes carry many profound meanings and are valuable cultural symbols in the lives of Vietnamese people.

Why do we offer banh troi and banh chay during Han Thuc Festival?

The Cold Food Festival originated in China, associated with the legend of Jie Zitui, a wise mandarin of the Spring and Autumn period. Because he did not want to care about power, he retreated to live in seclusion with his mother in the forest when the king forgot to reward him, and would rather burn to death than come out to receive the king's late favor. Legend has it that he died on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, and the people of Jin at that time and later Chinese people commemorated him by not lighting fires on Jie Zitui's death anniversary, and only eating cold food.

Vietnamese people also celebrate the Cold Food Festival, but not to commemorate Jie Zitui, nor do they abstain from lighting fires, but still cook as usual. Families prepare offerings of incense, flowers, and fruits to worship their ancestors and gods, and especially offer two traditional Cold Food Festival dishes: banh troi (rice balls) and banh chay (rice cakes).

According to researcher Tran Quang Duc, the custom of eating banh troi and banh chay on Han Thuc Festival in Vietnam began during the Le Trung Hung period (1533 - 1789). The notes of scholar Le Quy Don wrote: "In our country, the most important custom is banh troi nuoc, every year on the 3rd of March we make that cake."

This custom has long been respected by Vietnamese people, demonstrated through the preparation and enjoyment of Banh Troi Nuoc on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month.

According to Dr. Nguyen Anh Hong's answer in the newspaperLabor, Tet Han Thuc means a holiday of eating cold food, although originating from China, when introduced to Vietnam it was transformed to suit local culture and customs. The processing of banh troi and banh chay from sticky rice - a product of the rice civilization - shows the creativity and identity of the Vietnamese people. Banh troi and banh chay symbolize the fruits of human labor, used to worship ancestors, showing respect and gratitude.

The legend of Mother Au Co's hundred eggs is also mentioned when talking about the origin of making Banh Troi and Banh Chay. Accordingly, Banh Troi symbolizes 50 eggs hatching into 50 children who followed their mother to the mountains, while Banh Chay symbolizes the remaining 50 eggs hatching into children who followed their father to the sea. Through that, the custom of making and offering Banh Troi and Banh Chay on Han Thuc Festival carries the meaning of returning to the origin, remembering the merits of ancestors.

Banh troi and banh chay each have different shapes and ingredients, but both carry profound symbolic meanings about the philosophy of life and the cycle of life.

Banh troi is a small round cake with a shell made of white sticky rice flour and a filling of palm sugar. Banh troi is often considered a symbol of completeness and perfection. When dropped into boiling water, the cake floats, representing purity, family unity, and the loyalty and faithfulness of women.

Banh chay is also made from sticky rice flour but has no filling. Banh chay is usually soaked in water with a layer of fragrant sugar water and some crushed green beans. Banh chay represents purity, peace and also shows gratitude to ancestors.

Offering banh troi and banh chay during the Cold Food Festival is also an opportunity for descendants to remember their roots and show gratitude to their ancestors. In addition, this is also an occasion for families to gather together, make cakes, cook and worship good traditional values.

In addition, offering and enjoying banh troi and banh chay during the Cold Food Festival is not only a custom, but also a way for Vietnamese people to preserve and honor national traditions. This is an opportunity for Vietnamese people to look back, honor traditional cultural values ​​and continue the spiritual beauty through each generation.