mày trắng
Definition
- Noun (Archaic):
- A deity with white eyebrows: Refers to a specific spirit or guardian deity, traditionally depicted with white eyebrows, who was venerated in certain establishments.
- Patron spirit of brothels: Historically, this deity was considered the patron or protective spirit of brothels and was worshipped within them.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Các nhà chứa ngày xưa thường thờ mày trắng. (Brothels in the old days often worshipped the "white-eyebrow" deity.)
- Truyền thuyết kể về vị mày trắng bảo hộ cho những người ở đó. (Legends tell of the "mày trắng" spirit who protected the people there.)
Advanced Usage
- This term is primarily used in historical or anthropological contexts to discuss traditional beliefs and practices in certain social milieus. It is considered an archaic term.
Variants and Related Words
- Thần mày trắng: A more explicit phrase meaning "the white-eyebrow spirit."
- Bàn thờ thần mày trắng đặt ở góc phòng. (The altar for the white-eyebrow spirit was placed in the corner of the room.)
Synonyms
- Patron deity: A guardian or protective god of a particular place or group.
- Guardian spirit: A spirit believed to watch over and protect a person or place.
Notes on Usage
- The term 'mày trắng' is obsolete in modern Vietnamese and is not used in contemporary speech or writing outside of discussions of historical customs.
- Its usage is highly specific and culturally anchored to a particular, marginalized social institution of the past.