của hương hỏa
Definition
- Noun:
- Ancestral property; property dedicated to ancestor worship: Refers to assets, typically land or other valuable property, that are set aside specifically for the purpose of maintaining ancestral worship rituals, such as providing incense, offerings, and funding ceremonies. This property is traditionally passed down through generations and is not to be divided or sold, as it serves the collective family duty.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Gia đình họ vẫn giữ mảnh đất đó làm của hương hỏa. (Their family still keeps that plot of land as ancestral property.)
- Việc quản lý của hương hỏa thường do trưởng họ đảm nhiệm. (The management of the ancestral property is usually handled by the clan head.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese Confucian family values and practices related to ancestor veneration. It implies a sacred duty to preserve assets for religious and ceremonial purposes across generations.
Variants and Related Words
- Hương hỏa (n): Ancestral worship; the rites and ceremonies for ancestors, often funded by the dedicated property. This is the core term from which "của hương hỏa" is derived.
- Ngôi nhà thờ tổ được duy trì nhờ hương hỏa. (The ancestral house is maintained thanks to the ancestral worship fund/property.)
Synonyms
- Tài sản thờ cúng: Worship assets.
- Của cúng giỗ: Property for death anniversary ceremonies.
Notes on Meaning
- The phrase "của hương hỏa" is a compound noun where "của" means "property" and "hương hỏa" refers to "incense and fire," symbolizing the continuity of ancestral rites. It is treated as a single lexical unit in this context.
- It specifically denotes property with a designated religious purpose, distinguishing it from general family inheritance.