The third day of Tet is for teachers - A beauty that never stops flowing in Vietnamese spiritual life

“The first day of Tet is for fathers, the second day is for mothers, the third day is for teachers” is a familiar saying to every Vietnamese person when Tet comes and Spring comes. According to many people, “Tet Thay” has changed a lot nowadays, it seems to have been commercialized. However, that is only an exception.

During the Lunar New Year, the birthing efforts of parents and the upbringing efforts of teachers are always remembered, promoted and preserved by the next generations. (Source: VOV)

The above saying reminds us of the beautiful tradition of "When drinking water, remember its source" and "Respecting teachers and valuing education" of our nation, as a reminder of a good traditional value during Tet of every Vietnamese person.

Remember the birth of parents and the upbringing of teachers

From ancient times to the present, Lunar New Year is considered the “most important Tet” of the year. On this occasion, the birth of parents and the upbringing of teachers are always remembered, promoted and preserved by the next generations. Therefore, no one knows since when, in folklore there has been a saying as a schedule for people to visit each other during the first three days of Tet. That is “the first day of Tet is for father, the second day of Tet is for mother, the third day of Tet is for teacher”.

According to Vietnamese beliefs, "father" represents "father's relatives". Therefore, "father's first day of Tet" means that on the morning of the first day of Tet, family members will gather at the paternal side to worship ancestors and wish grandparents and parents a happy new year to show respect.

On the second day of Tet, we will "depart" to visit and wish our maternal family a Happy New Year. The "Mother's Tet" rituals are as solemn and respectful as those at our paternal family. Children and grandchildren wish their grandparents a Happy New Year and receive lucky money at the beginning of the year.

And then the third day is Tet Thay, the day for Vietnamese people to express their gratitude to teachers, those who have taught, imparted knowledge, those who have been the ferrymen to take them to the shore of knowledge and success.

Teachers here are not limited to teachers who teach letters but also teachers of professions such as carpentry, sewing, medicine..., teachers of arts such as music, singing, drawing, dancing...

On this day, students, regardless of age or status, try to gather at the headmaster's house, along with their fellow students, to visit and wish their teachers and their families a Happy New Year. This is not only an opportunity to visit and express gratitude to their teachers for their teachings, but also a time for friends to meet, exchange and wish each other good luck in the coming New Year and spring.

The offerings brought to pay respect to teachers in the past were not material. Regardless of position or social status, students served themselves cakes and candies, then sat together to confide, listened to teachers ask questions and inform teachers about their work and family over the past year as well as upcoming plans...

The third day of Tet passed in such a warm atmosphere of teacher-student love and it has become an unchanging traditional beauty in the minds of former students...

"The third day of Tet is for teachers" is a beauty that flows endlessly in Vietnamese spiritual life. (Source: Dan Tri)

Preserving the beauty of "Tet Thay"

On the third day of Tet, most students come to "Tet Thay" with all their hearts, good thoughts, respect and gratitude. With the spirit of "respecting teachers and valuing education", Vietnamese people always believe "Nhat tu vi su, ban tu vi su" (one word is a teacher, half a word is also a teacher) and Vietnamese people often remind each other "Without a teacher, you will not be able to do anything" to talk about the teaching merit of teachers in each person's life.

But in modern times, “Teachers’ Day” has become more “special”. “Special” is that instead of directly coming to wish teachers a Happy New Year, students can send their wishes to their teachers by phone or via Facebook.

Teachers, whether past or present, are still the same, the gift is not proportional to the heart of the student towards the teacher, although over time the form of Tet teacher has changed a lot. If in the past students visited the teacher with tea bags, jams... today Tet teacher gifts are richer and more diverse, but the good nature of Tet teacher still does not change because it always shows the heart, feelings and gratitude of the student towards the teacher. Accordingly, the beautiful moral tradition "Tet teacher" will forever be a constant flow in the spiritual life of Vietnamese people.

(according to VNA)

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/mung-ba-tet-thay-net-dep-khong-ngung-chay-trong-doi-song-tinh-than-viet-260706.html