khai táng

Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To exhume and rebury: The primary meaning of "khai táng" refers to the ritual act of opening a grave, exhuming the remains of the deceased, and conducting a formal reburial, often in a new location. This practice is typically part of ancestral veneration rituals in some Vietnamese traditions.
Usage Examples
  • Verb:
    • Gia đình quyết định khai táng để di dời mộ phần ông bà. (The family decided to exhume and rebury to relocate their grandparents' graves.)
    • Theo phong tục, việc khai táng được thực hiện sau một số năm. (According to custom, the exhumation and reburial is performed after a number of years.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term "khai táng" is specifically used in the context of formal, ritualistic reburial, often following geomantic principles or family decisions. It is distinct from simple exhumation for forensic or legal purposes.
Variants and Related Words
  • Cải táng (v): This is a direct synonym, also meaning to exhume and rebury remains. "Khai táng" often emphasizes the initial opening of the grave.
  • Bốc mộ (v): A more colloquial term for exhuming a grave.
Synonyms
  • To exhume and rebury: The core action described by "khai táng".
  • To disinter and re-inter: A more formal equivalent.
Related Cultural Notes
  • "Khai táng" is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese ancestor worship and folk beliefs. It is often performed to move remains to a more auspicious location according to geomancy (phong thủy), or to consolidate family gravesites. The ritual is conducted with great solemnity and ceremony.