tam sự
Definition
- Noun:
- A set of three ritual objects: Specifically refers to a traditional Vietnamese altar set consisting of three essential items: two candlesticks and one incense burner, used for worship and religious ceremonies.
- A three-piece worship service: Denotes the act of worship or ceremony conducted using this specific set of three ritual objects.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trên bàn thờ có đầy đủ tam sự. (The altar is fully equipped with the three-piece ritual set.)
- Tam sự thường bao gồm hai cây đèn và một lư hương. (The tam sự typically includes two candlesticks and one incense burner.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is deeply rooted in traditional Vietnamese ancestor worship and religious practice. The arrangement is symbolic, with the incense burner in the center representing the connection between heaven and earth, flanked by the two candlesticks representing the duality of light (yang) and darkness (yin).
Variants and Related Words
- Ngũ sự (n): A five-piece ritual set, which expands on the by adding two more items, often vases for flowers or other ceremonial objects.
- Bàn thờ lớn thường bày ngũ sự thay vì tam sự. (Large altars often display a five-piece set instead of a three-piece set.)
Synonyms
- Three-piece altar set: A descriptive English term for the ritual objects.
- Triple ritual set: Another way to describe the group of three worship items.
Related Cultural Notes
- "Tam sự" is a standard component of a Vietnamese family altar, used for daily offerings and during important holidays like Tết (Lunar New Year) and death anniversaries. The set is crucial for performing rites to honor ancestors and deities.