A beauty of old Hanoi
"On the full moon day, go to the market to buy flowers
Have to wait until Ngoc Ha stall to buy"
Playing with flowers is not only an elegant hobby but also a cultural beauty of Hanoi people. They love flowers, cherish flowers and consider flowers an indispensable part of life.
On full moon and new moon days, holidays and Tet, the altar of every family in old Hanoi was always filled with fresh and fragrant flowers. The flowers were displayed on plates, on trays or simply wrapped in cool green banana leaves.
Every flower season, Hanoians choose flowers with beautiful colors and scents to offer to their ancestors. (FB: Fragrant flowers of the old town)
Every flower season, Hanoians choose beautiful flowers in both scent and color to offer to their ancestors. Seasonal flowers usually have 5-7 types, cut short to take the flower heads, wrapped gently in a Bodhisattva dong leaf. Then, people tie the bamboo strips in a cross shape and then loop them again to form a handle to carry. The way of wrapping the flowers for offering is simple but shows the respect and reverence of descendants to their ancestors.
In the book “The Hobbies of Hanoians”, writer Bang Son wrote: “The flower offering plate usually has many kinds of flowers, the separate flowers placed on a small, dry, clean plate. It could be a fragrant white lily, a fragrant magnolia flower, a soft branch of ylang-ylang with a faint scent. Sometimes there is a branch of wolfflower, a half-opened chrysanthemum, a peony flower, a branch of dry zinnia, sometimes in the season when there are few flowers, there is even a cockscomb flower…”.
The flower offering is not only a simple offering to ancestors but also a symbol of gratitude and respect from descendants to the previous generation. (FB: Hoa Thom Pho Co)
Offering flowers are not only a simple offering to ancestors but also a symbol of gratitude and respect from descendants to the previous generation. It is a traditional cultural beauty, showing the sophistication and elegance in the spiritual life of Hanoians.
Each flower is carefully selected and harmoniously combined to create a colorful picture. Pure white lilies symbolize purity, deep red roses express devotion, and elegant lotus symbolizes enlightenment. All blend together to create a beautiful flower offering package carrying meaningful messages.
Although modern life has changed a lot, the flower offering still retains its value and meaning. It is the link between the past, present and future, contributing to preserving the cultural identity of Hanoi people.
Although modern life has many changes, flower offerings still retain their value and meaning.
Flower stall holds memories in the land of Kinh Ky
The hustle and bustle of modern life seems to have swept away traditional flower packages and flower plates. However, amidst this hustle and bustle, there are still people who diligently preserve the elegant beauty of a bygone era.
Among the colorful flower shops, Mrs. Phan Thi Thu's flower stall is like a quiet note on the corner of Hang Khoai Street. Her stall is surprisingly simple, with only a few plastic baskets and familiar spring flowers. However, in that simple place, people can find a whole memory of old Hanoi.
Among the colorful flower shops, Mrs. Phan Thi Thu's flower stall is like a simple, quiet note on the corner of Hang Khoai Street.
Mrs. Thu was born and raised in Ngoc Ha flower village. This place is famous for its traditional flower growing profession and she has been attached to flowers since her childhood. That is why she always respects and preserves the traditional cultural beauty, including the custom of wrapping flowers for offerings.
However, the corner of Hang Khoai Street, where Mrs. Thu's flower stall once stood - a symbol of the simple beauty of old Hanoi - has now been without her for more than a year. Instead, the one who continues that tradition is her youngest daughter-in-law - Ms. Pham Thi Nhung (born in 1975).
The stall is surprisingly simple.
Ms. Nhung shared that Mrs. Thu has been involved in the profession for more than 70 years. Throughout her life, she has wandered the streets of Hanoi, bringing the fragrance of flowers to every home. Her flower cart is an indispensable part of the lives of Hanoians, especially on holidays.
Now, although Mrs. Thu is no longer here, her flower stall is still maintained by Ms. Nhung. She said that she will continue to preserve her mother-in-law's tradition, bringing simple flower offerings containing a whole sky of memories of old Hanoi to everyone.
The hustle and bustle of modern life seems to have swept away traditional flower packages and flower plates.
Nowadays, flower packages, flower plates, and flower trays are given a new, beautiful and sophisticated look. Not as elaborate and brilliant as modern flower bouquets, flower packages for offerings only use simple, rustic flowers such as roses, lilies, grapefruit flowers, dragon claw flowers... and wrap them in the shape of water chestnuts - an image symbolizing abundance and fullness.
The flower plate is not just a simple flower arrangement but is transformed into a work of art with many layers, colors and unique shapes. The flower tray is also meticulously crafted with flowers arranged harmoniously to create a vivid picture.
This innovation not only meets the increasing aesthetic needs but also demonstrates the creativity and dedication of the artisan.
This innovation not only meets the increasing aesthetic needs but also demonstrates the creativity and dedication of the artisans. They have breathed life into flowers, turning ordinary objects into works of art that contribute to beautifying life. Still maintaining the core values of elegance and grace, the new design brings a strange yet familiar, familiar yet strange feeling to flower lovers.
It seems that each flower package is a story, a memory of old Hanoi. Looking at the simple flower packages, my heart suddenly overflows with indescribable emotions. It is a feeling of emotion mixed with pride in traditional cultural values. It is a feeling of gratitude towards people like Mrs. Thu and Ms. Nhung, who have diligently preserved that beauty for the next generation. And it can be said that the flower stall is like a small peaceful corner in the middle of the noisy city, where people can find the good traditional values of an old Hanoi.
The flower stall is like a peaceful corner in the middle of a noisy city, where people can find the good traditional values of old Hanoi.
