tam sinh
Definition
- Noun:
- The three sacrificial animals: In traditional Vietnamese rituals, "tam sinh" refers to the three specific animals—typically an ox (or cow), a pig, and a goat—that are offered as sacrifices to deities or spirits.
- A traditional ritual offering: The term denotes the complete set of these three animals used in solemn, often communal, ceremonial worship.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Lễ vật đầy đủ bao gồm tam sinh. (The full set of offerings includes the three sacrificial animals.)
- Người dân chuẩn bị tam sinh để tế thần làng. (The villagers prepared the three sacrificial animals to worship the village deity.)
Advanced Usage
- The concept of "tam sinh" is deeply rooted in folk beliefs and traditional Vietnamese religion, representing a significant and respectful offering to higher powers during important festivals or prayers.
Variants and Related Words
- Lễ tam sinh (n): the ritual or ceremony involving the offering of the three animals.
- Lễ tam sinh được cử hành trang nghiêm. (The three-animal sacrifice ceremony was solemnly performed.)
Synonyms
- Sacrificial trio: a set of three animals used for sacrifice.
- Ritual animals: animals designated for ceremonial offering.
Notes on Usage
- "Tam sinh" is a classical and formal term, primarily encountered in contexts related to traditional culture, history, or religious practices. It is not used in everyday modern conversation.
- The specific animals can sometimes vary by region or era, but the standard trio is understood to be ox/cow, pig, and goat.