Once upon a time, every spring, grandparents would tell their grandchildren preschool story time about the legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day. The story tells of a talented king who wanted to find a special dish to offer to heaven, earth, and ancestors, and also to choose a worthy successor. So, what is the meaning of Banh Chung and Banh Day for Vietnamese people?
The Meaning of Banh Chung and Banh Day
Banh Chung, square like the earth, symbolizes abundance and prosperity of a bountiful harvest. Banh Day, round like the sky, expresses gratitude to nature and the universe. These two types of cakes, like heaven and earth, yin and yang, harmonize to create balance in life. Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan, a preschool education expert with over 20 years of experience at Hoa Sen Kindergarten, shared in her book “Nurturing Children with Heart”: “The legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day is not just a story for children, but also a valuable lesson about filial piety, creativity, and love for the homeland.” Telling educational stories for preschoolers like the legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day helps children understand more about national cultural traditions.
The Legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day for Preschoolers
The story begins in the time of King Hung the Sixth. He wanted to pass the throne to a deserving son. The King issued a challenge: whoever could find the most delicious and meaningful dish to offer to the ancestors would be the successor. The princes raced to find exotic delicacies from everywhere. Only Lang Lieu, the eighteenth son, kind and simple, chose simple and familiar ingredients: sticky rice, green beans, and pork to make Banh Chung and Banh Day. He believed that “in heaven and earth, nothing is more precious than rice,” and food made from rice would express sincerity to heaven and earth. Perhaps it was his sincerity and filial piety that helped Lang Lieu win.
Activities with Banh Chung and Banh Day for Kids
Today, many preschools organize hands-on activities for children to make Banh Chung and Banh Day. This is a wonderful way for children to learn STEAM for preschoolers, both playing and understanding more about traditions. Mr. Pham Van Hung, principal of 19 5 Kindergarten in District 2, said: “Letting children participate in experiential activities like making Banh Chung and Banh Day not only helps them develop fine motor skills but also awakens their love for their homeland.” In addition, learning about lesson plans for “I Love My Homeland” for preschool also helps children understand more about traditional culture.
Banh Chung and Banh Day are not only traditional dishes but also a beautiful spiritual cultural feature of Vietnamese people. Every Tet holiday and spring, these two types of cakes are placed solemnly on the ancestral altar, as a tribute to their roots.
Conclusion
The legend of Banh Chung and Banh Day is a meaningful story, imbued with cultural and educational values. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand more about the meaning of these two special cakes. Please leave a comment, share this article, and explore more interesting content on our website. Contact Phone Number: 0372999999, or visit us at: 234 Hao Nam, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team.