Colours might be used for different purposes and in many different contexts either for cultural purposes, health, luck, war, politics or showing love towards others or as a signs of bad luck. During Lunar New Year especially Chinese New Year or many Asian East Asian New Year for instance, red could signifies luck and happiness, or new beginning, or white could signify come in peace or submission in war. But when it comes to significant colours to Hmong communities, red, white and black or the auspicious ones.
According to Mr Chai Khue Xiong, a Hmong Australian elder who has known and practised Hmong culture for decades says, there are many believes in regards to the significant of colours toward Hmong communities especially Hmong magic and shamanistic rituals.
In our generation when we have a new baby whose age is one month old, and if we want to take that baby with us to our farms, and because Hmong loses all our magical skills, Shee Yee (Siv Yis) according to Hmong legend, the first Hmong shaman prophet told Hmong that we should use our fingers to scoop the black dust that stick to the edge of a pan that sit on top of a stove and then apply that black stuff as a cross mark on to the baby forehead, then wherever that baby goes evil spirits will not dare to touch or will be scared of the person who has such a sign marked.Chai Khue Xiong
But when it come to shamanistic ritual Mr Xiong said that:
When a shaman finished a shamanistic ritual in purgatory, a black dust stuff from the edge of a pan will be used to mark a cross sign on every members of a particular family forehead that the shaman is performed for. This is the power of Shee Yee that he left for Hmong people when he returned to heaven and since then on Hmong had retained eversince. Nowadays Hmong people is still practicing this ritual.Chai Khue Xiong
Mr Xiong also said that Ives Bertrais (Txiv plig Nyiaj Pov) a French Christian Commissioner came to Laos 'was also surprised to learn that the black cross sign that Hmong use to mark on their forehead is similar to the cross that taught in Christianity.'
Mr Chai Khue Xiong adds that different colours like red and white are also used to ties to the neck, wrist or angle of a person when it comes to Hmong magical spell to cure them.
'Huj Lag tsis sawv' which is one of Hmong magical spell that Hmong believes that It could heal broken bones, hot water burn, or fire burn. When I learnt this magical spell, my master told me that I should stop the pipe reed song that lead the dead's way back to the underworld to meet their ancestors and stop practicing the pipe reed song that pronounce some one who is really dead actually die.Chai Khue Xiong
Mr Xiong says that when it comes to doing shamanistic ritual some coloured materials are also used.
In shamanistic ritual, we used red and white material to knit together and use it to tie to that person, either at their angle, wrist or neck for protection.Chai Khue Xiong
Mr Xiong concluded that ''I believe that these Hmong skills are sacred, whoever have faith for it and practice and retain, it would be very precious for Hmong communities."
That is why red, white and black are very important for Hmong communities especially Hmong cultural rituals. Do you know what colour/s are the important ones for your community?
Disclaimer:
This story is for general information only.
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