Calligraphy for the New Year at the Temple of Literature: the beautiful cultural tradition of the calligrapher during Tet

Asking for Calligraphy at the Start of the Year at the Temple of Literature: The Beauty of the Ông Đồ Culture at Tết

For generations, the custom of asking for calligraphy at the start of the year has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese cultural beauty whenever Tết arrives and spring returns. Amid the hurried pace of modern life, the image of the ông đồ (the calligraphy master) sitting beside his inkstone, writing graceful strokes of calligraphy, still holds a special appeal. Among these places, the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám in Hanoi, regarded as the largest and most sacred centre for asking for calligraphy at the start of the year in the whole country, is a familiar spiritual destination for tens of thousands of people each spring.

What is the profound meaning of the custom of asking for calligraphy at the start of the year?

Asking for calligraphy at the start of the year is not simply a ritual of requesting beautifully written characters; it is also a cultural activity carrying many layers of meaning. Asking for calligraphy expresses respect for knowledge and letters and reflects the Vietnamese love of learning. Those who ask for calligraphy are often students, people preparing for examinations, people whose work is intellectual, or those who wish for a favourable new year in work and life. Each character requested is not only a spiritual gift but also a message, a wish for a new year of peace, success and good fortune. The strokes of the ông đồ are believed to carry the essence of the writer, a connection between past and present, between the spirit of the giver and that of the receiver.

Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám: Where the essence of knowledge converges

The Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám was built in 1070 under King Lý Thánh Tông, a place to worship Khổng Tử (Confucius) and the sages of Confucianism. In 1076, Quốc Tử Giám was established, becoming the first university of Vietnam, where talents for the country were trained. The relic site still preserves 82 doctoral steles, recognised by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage. Precisely because of this history and profound educational significance, the Temple of Literature has become an ideal place to ask for calligraphy, the most sacred site of the old Thăng Long and of present-day Hanoi.

The Temple of Literature's space, with its ancient, moss-covered architecture and rows of old trees, creates a solemn, quiet atmosphere, quite different from the noise and bustle of the streets. This very space enhances the spiritual value of asking for calligraphy, making people's hearts more reverent.

What is special about the Spring Calligraphy Festival and the atmosphere on the third day of Tết at the Temple of Literature?

At the start of the new year, the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám becomes a destination attracting crowds of locals and visitors. The Spring Calligraphy Festival is usually held in the Hồ Văn area, with the participation of many ông đồ who are calligraphers and Hán Nôm researchers well versed in letters. Besides the activity of asking for calligraphy, the festival also features other cultural and artistic activities such as painting exhibitions and traditional art performances, serving visitors' enjoyment.

On the third day of Tết, the number of people pouring into the Temple of Literature is usually very large. People queue in long lines to buy tickets to visit and ask for calligraphy. Nearby roads sometimes see localised congestion. However, the atmosphere here remains very lively and cheerful. Locals and visitors come here not only to ask for calligraphy but also to enjoy spring outings, visit the relic site, take souvenir photos and pray for a new year of happiness and peace.

The experience of asking for calligraphy: From tradition to modernity

The activity of asking for calligraphy at the Temple of Literature takes place all year round, but it is especially busy during Tết Nguyên đán (the Lunar New Year). The row of buildings in front of the courtyard of the Nhà Tiền đường is where the ông đồ sit and give characters. Each ông đồ has his own style of writing, from Hán characters and Quốc ngữ (the Romanised Vietnamese script) to other forms of artistic calligraphy. Those asking for calligraphy can choose characters with good meanings such as "Đức" (virtue), "Trí" (wisdom), "Nhẫn" (patience), "Phúc" (blessing), "Lộc" (prosperity), "Thọ" (longevity), "Tâm" (heart), "Tài" (talent)... depending on their wishes and circumstances.

Besides asking for calligraphy directly from the ông đồ, the Temple of Literature now also has stalls selling ready-made calligraphy in many styles and materials. Each sheet of calligraphy costs around 120,000 đồng, making it easier for those who do not have time to wait or who want to choose finished works. In addition, visitors can scan QR codes on the information boards in the doctoral stele area to learn about each stele, a modern and convenient way to approach cultural heritage.

Why does this cultural beauty need to be preserved?

The custom of asking for calligraphy at the start of the year at the Temple of Literature is a cultural beauty worthy of respect and preservation. It is not only a spiritual activity but also an occasion for each person to remind themselves of the nation's tradition of love of learning and respect for teachers and education. Maintaining and promoting this beauty in modern life is a way to preserve the nation's cultural identity while educating younger generations about a love of letters and knowledge.

For international visitors, visiting and experiencing the asking for calligraphy at the Temple of Literature is also a wonderful opportunity to learn about Vietnamese culture. They can feel the elegance and refinement of the art of calligraphy and the cultural depth of the Vietnamese people. The combination of traditional and modern elements in this activity has created a unique highlight, attracting visitors to Hanoi each time Tết arrives and spring returns.

A summary table of some historical milestones and features of the Temple of Literature - Quốc Tử Giám.