võng lọng
Definition
- Noun (Historical/Cultural):
- A ceremonial procession or retinue, specifically the palanquin and parasol carried by servants, which were traditional symbols of high rank and authority for Vietnamese mandarins and nobility in feudal times.
- By extension, the trappings, pomp, and ceremonial accessories associated with high official status in historical Vietnam.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Quan lớn đi ra ngoài thường có võng lọng. (The high mandarin going out usually had a ceremonial procession.)
- Chức tước thời xưa thường đi đôi với võng lọng. (Official titles in the old days often came with the trappings of office.)
- Câu chuyện kể về một vị quan thanh liêm, không thích võng lọng. (The story is about an honest official who disliked ceremonial pomp.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used in historical or literary contexts to evoke the feudal past.
- It can be used metaphorically in modern contexts to criticize bureaucratic red tape or unnecessary formalities, implying an attachment to outdated ceremonial procedures.
Variants and Related Words
- Lọng (n): The ceremonial parasol, a key component of the , symbolizing shade and protection, a metaphor for the mandarin's duty.
- Võng (n): The hammock or palanquin, another key component, used for carrying the mandarin.
- Nghi trượng (n): A more formal and general term for ceremonial insignia and paraphernalia.
Synonyms
- Ceremonial retinue
- Official trappings
- Regalia (in the context of official status)
- Pomp and circumstance
Related Idioms and Expressions
- Võng anh đi trước, lọng nàng theo sau: A poetic line describing a ceremonial procession, often used to depict scenes from the past or in folk poetry ().
- Bày võng lọng: To set up or display the full ceremonial accessories; can imply creating unnecessary bureaucratic formalities.