bát hương

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The Vietnamese word "bát hương" refers to an incense burner or joss-stick bowl used in various cultural and spiritual practices. It is typically a bowl or container that holds incense sticks when they are burned, often found on altars in homes and temples to honor ancestors, deities, or spirits.

Usage Instructions:

• Where to use it: You will commonly find "bát hương" on family altars, particularly during important occasions such as funerals, holidays, or family gatherings.
• How to use it: When using a "bát hương," you would place incense sticks inside it, light them, and then offer prayers or thoughts to the spirits or ancestors.

Example:

• "Mỗi lần cúng giỗ, gia đình tôi đều thắp hương vào bát hương trên bàn thờ." ("Every time we commemorate our ancestors, my family lights incense in the incense burner on the altar.")

Advanced Usage:

In a broader context, "bát hương" can also symbolize respect and remembrance in Vietnamese culture. You may come across the term in literature or discussions about Vietnamese traditions, where it represents the connection between the living and the deceased.

Word Variants:

• You might also see "bát hương" referred to in context with other terms like:
  • "bàn thờ" (altar) - where the "bát hương" is placed
  • "hương" - which refers to incense itself

Different Meanings:

In some contexts, "bát hương" can also refer to the act of burning incense itself, not just the physical container. However, the primary meaning remains the incense burner.

Synonyms:

• "lư hương" - another term for incense burner, often used interchangeably with "bát hương"
• "bát" - which means bowl, can be used in different contexts, but in this case, it specifically refers to the bowl for incense.

Academic

noun

1. Incense burner; joss-stick bowl