ngũ sự
Definition
- Noun:
- A five-piece worship set: In traditional Vietnamese ancestor worship and religious rituals, "ngũ sự" refers to a specific set of five essential ceremonial objects or vessels.
- Historical/archaic term: The term is primarily used in historical or formal religious contexts to describe the classic arrangement of altar items.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trên bàn thờ cổ có đầy đủ ngũ sự. (On the ancient altar, there is a complete five-piece worship set.)
- Ngũ sự thường bao gồm bình hương, chân đèn, và các vật dụng khác. (The "ngũ sự" typically includes an incense burner, candle holders, and other items.)
Advanced Usage
- The composition of the "ngũ sự" can vary but traditionally aims to represent a complete and balanced set of tools for veneration. It is a concept rooted in ritual completeness rather than a strictly fixed list of items.
Variants and Related Words
- Bộ ngũ sự (n): the five-piece set. This phrase emphasizes the collection as a unit.
- Bà tôi rất quý bộ ngũ sự bằng đồng này. (My grandmother treasures this bronze five-piece set.)
Synonyms
- Five ritual objects: a direct descriptive synonym.
- Ceremonial set: a more general term for a collection of ritual items.
Cultural Note
- While "ngũ sự" is an archaic term, the practice of using a set of core items on altars remains common. The specific items often include an incense burner (bình hương), a pair of candle holders (đôi chân đèn), and two vases (đôi bình hoa), completing the set of five.