Definition

1. Noun:
   • A female spirit medium: A woman who is believed to act as an intermediary between the spirit world and the physical world, often entering a trance state to allow spirits to communicate or manifest through her. This term is specific to Vietnamese folk religion and spirit worship practices.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Bà ấy là một đồng cô nổi tiếng trong vùng. (She is a famous female spirit medium in the region.)
  • Đồng cô đang lên đồng để tiếp xúc với thần linh. (The female medium is performing a ritual to contact the spirits.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is deeply embedded in the practice of Đạo Mẫu (Mother Goddess worship) and lên đồng (spirit possession rituals). A is often a central figure in these ceremonies.

Variants and Related Words

• Đồng thầy (n): A male spirit medium.
• Đồng (n): A general, often informal, term for a spirit medium.
• Lên đồng (v): To perform a spirit possession ritual; to go into a trance.

Synonyms

• Spirit medium: A person who communicates with spirits.
• Shaman: A person regarded as having access to, and influence in, the world of spirits (note: this is a broader, cross-cultural term).

Related Cultural Context

• Hầu đồng: A ritual ceremony involving spirit possession, music, and dance, often led by a or .
  • Buổi hầu đồng do vị đồng cô đó thực hiện rất sống động. (The ritual ceremony performed by that female medium was very vivid.)