tú cầu
Definition
- Noun:
- Embroidered Ball: A decorative ball made of silk or brocade, historically used in a royal marriage selection ritual.
- The Ritual Itself: Refers to the ancient custom where a princess, from a high tower, would throw this ball to a group of suitors below. The man who caught it would become her husband.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Công chúa cầm tú cầu trên tay. (The princess held the embroidered ball in her hand.)
- Theo truyền thuyết, lễ ném tú cầu đã quyết định số phận của nàng. (According to legend, the embroidered ball tossing ritual decided her fate.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tú cầu" is now considered archaic and is primarily found in historical contexts, literature, or when referring to this specific tradition. It is not used in modern daily conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Hoa tú cầu (n): Hydrangea flower. This is a completely different and modern meaning. "Hoa tú cầu" refers to the popular ornamental plant with large, round flower clusters.
- Vườn nhà họ trồng nhiều hoa tú cầu màu xanh. (Their garden has many blue hydrangea flowers.)
Synonyms
- Embroidered ball
- Marriage ball (descriptive)
Cultural Note
- The tú cầu ritual is a familiar motif in Vietnamese folklore and historical tales, symbolizing a fateful choice or a marriage arranged by destiny rather than personal acquaintance.