tiên chỉ

Ông tiên chỉ đang thắp hương trước bàn thờ tổ tiên.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Village Elder / Doyen: The person holding the highest ceremonial and social position in a traditional Vietnamese village (under the old feudal system). The tiên chỉ was typically the most respected elder, responsible for leading rituals and representing the village's traditions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Trong lễ hội làng, cụ tiên chỉ đọc văn tế đầu tiên. (During the village festival, the village elder read the first oration.)
  • Mọi việc hệ trọng của làng đều phải bàn với vị tiên chỉ. (All important matters of the village had to be discussed with the doyen.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "tiên chỉ" is historical and archaic, primarily used when discussing pre-modern Vietnamese village governance, social structure, or in historical literature. It is not used in contemporary administrative contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Hương chức (n): A general term for village officials and notables under the old system, which included the .
• Lý trưởng (n): The village chief, who handled administrative and legal matters, distinct from the ceremonial role of the .

Synonyms

• Village elder
• Doyen (of a village)
• Senior notable

Related Concepts

• Hương ước: The traditional customary law of the village, which the helped uphold.
• Tế lễ: Rituals and ceremonies, a primary domain of the 's duties.