Unique âm dương (Yin-Yang) market “mua may, bán rủi” ("buy luck, sell bad luck") in Bac Ninh city

The Yin-Yang market is one of the central and unique activities of the traditional festival of Xuan O quarter (the common name is O village). Legend has it that the Yin-Yang market in O village dates back to the year of Nham Dan 43 AD, related to the fierce battle of the Trung sisters against the invading Han army. The market is a meeting of Yin-Yang, imbued with humanistic meaning, in which the outstanding value is to express the morality, lifestyle, and humane behavior of the living with the deceased, as a bridge connecting the past and the present with the meaning of reunion, praying for peace, helping the living to relieve their psychological stress so that their souls can be calm and light.

Before opening the market, local people hold a prayer ceremony for the country's peace and prosperity. Right after the opening ceremony, there are activities to experience and exchange goods "buying luck, selling bad luck" according to the ancient yin-yang market ritual. The market is held in the Bai Ho area - said to be the battlefield between the Trung sisters' army and the Southern Han army in the past, the space is mysterious and quiet. The market takes place quietly, buyers do not bargain, sellers do not set prices, everyone is comfortable and happy with the thought of "buying luck, selling bad luck" and is an opportunity to do good deeds.

This year, the market sells a variety of essential items: salt, lighters, betel and areca nuts, flowers, plants, seeds, fruits such as gac fruit, tomatoes, papaya, carrots...; handicraft products; traditional handicraft products; souvenirs; some OCOP products..., an indispensable item which is black chicken - symbolizing spirituality and mystery. Many people come to the market to buy votive paper to burn for the deceased and buy black chickens as offerings to ward off bad luck and evil spirits. According to the Organizing Committee, this year's market has about 500 black chickens sold out the night before dawn, hoping for a peaceful and bright new year.

This year, the traditional festival of Xuan O quarter was organized by the people on a large scale with the procession of the Saint from the temple to the communal house taking place on the morning of January 5 with the participation of about 300 people following traditional customs. In addition to trading and culinary services, the festival also includes many street cultural and artistic activities; singing Quan Ho on boats, Canh singing; calligraphy performances; folk games such as tug of war, pot smashing, swinging, wrestling, Chinese chess; badminton and volleyball competitions...