Definition

1. Noun:
   • Heartfelt incense / Incense of the heart: A symbolic offering of incense representing one's sincere and devout heart or mind, rather than a physical stick of incense. It signifies pure reverence and devotion, often in a spiritual or religious context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người dân dâng lên bàn thờ nén tâm hương thành kính. (The people offered a stick of heartfelt incense on the altar with reverence.)
  • Lễ vật không cần nhiều, chỉ cần một nén tâm hương. (The offering need not be lavish; just a single incense of the heart is enough.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept is often used metaphorically to emphasize that sincerity and inner devotion are more important than material offerings in worship or remembrance.

Variants and Related Words

• Hương lòng: A synonym with the same meaning, literally "incense of the heart/mind."
  • Viếng mộ cụ, ông chỉ thắp nén hương lòng. (Visiting the elder's grave, he only lit a stick of incense from the heart.)

Synonyms

• Sincere devotion: Profound and genuine reverence.
• Heartfelt reverence: Deep respect originating from one's sincere feelings.

Related Idioms

• Dâng tâm hương: To offer the incense of the heart; to present one's sincere devotion.
  • Mọi người đều thành kính dâng tâm hương tưởng nhớ tổ tiên. (Everyone reverently offered their heartfelt incense in remembrance of their ancestors.)