a lucky home, a photo from Ha Giang, North East

Photographer's Note

"Look over there," our guide exlaimed as he pointed out two wooden coffins in front of a house, "that surely is a very lucky home."

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It is customary for elderly Hmong people to have their coffins ready and on display in front of their house, right next to it or sometimes in the back of their garden. Two wooden coffins in front of a house near Lung Phin. They indicate that both the family's grandparents are still alive. Hence, a happy home.

As long as you can see your coffin, it means you haven't died yet!

PS: The shoes are symbolic as well. They are yet another sign of the family's blessings. Such a lucky home!

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Strange custom, we thought. I don't think our (grand)parents would appreciate being confronted with their own mortality every day. But I do see the point of the Hmong:

we are all going to be dirt in the ground,
so let's enjoy life, while it lasts,
that's why we were born.

Count your blessings!

holmertz, worldcitizen, jean113, PiotrF, papagolf21, jhm, sacimar, COSTANTINO, macjake has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

mesutilgim (0) 2019-09-30 7:03

Hello Benny,
Another nice and interesting capture/entry in your gallery.
Taken with good ligth and sharpness.
I see here 6 black haired lady faces !
Nice framing and interesting, usefull notes.
TFS and best regards
MESUT ILGIM

holmertz (103642) 2019-09-30 7:39

Hello Benny,
An interesting composition and very original, to say the least. We don't see a lot of coffins on TE. I like how you cropped it and the note is just as important as the photo.
Regards,
Gert

worldcitizen (16226) 2019-09-30 8:12

Hello Benny,
What an interesting custom. It seems that death is always outside the door, ready to step in when the time comes. This is a unique composition. The pointy shoes hanging on the line make quite an impression against the blue background. The coffins are more understated, but that's fine. :-)

jean113 (28285) 2019-09-30 8:22

Hello Benny, nearly a still life in composition?
Your notes are very interesting and informative.
The shoes are a very interesting design, what looks like six identical shoes, and why are they hung there? Have they been washed and put to dry?
The little splashes of turquoise paint on the wood suggests that someone has been decorating, a fascinating picture.
Thanks for sharing, regards Jean.

Gerrit (62042) 2019-09-30 10:07

Leuk gebruik. Benny.
Hele mooie schoenen overigens en een goede samenstelling van de foto ook.
Groet, Gerrit

PiotrF (56042) 2019-09-30 12:36

Hello Benny,
Happy home - happiness has many faces.
Interesting capture of these coffins.
I like nice colors and good quality.
Thank you for the information notes.
Good presentation.
Regards
Piotr

Ilonka1974 (10307) 2019-09-30 14:06

hI Benny,
Lovely composition and very good presentation . Colours sharpness,clarity are perfect. Well done
Best regards
Janusz

papagolf21 (152607) 2019-09-30 23:33

Bonjour, cher Benny,
F駘icitations pour la note d'accompagnement, elle est parfaite pour mieux comprendre le sujet pr駸ent�.
Il y a beaucoup de bon sens � travers les pens馥s de ces personnes...
Amiti駸.
Philippe

ifege (49465) 2019-10-01 0:22

Hi Benny
Coffins with shoes hanging above. Interesting! A good, interesting photo.
cheers
Ian

lousat (139992) 2019-10-01 2:57

Hi Benny,in fact it's a strange custom,and your note are very useful,it's truly a new thing for me,the pic too is perfect as usual,i like it! Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

abmdsudi (95869) 2019-10-01 6:24

Hi Benny
Intriguing notes of a very strange custom! Picture wise, love its simplicity, the items are neatly placed and perfectly balanced in this vertical format. Contrast against green background cant be better than this and it does look so cool on the eye. Excellent shot
Best regard

jhm (211738) 2019-10-01 8:04

Dag Benny,

***Antwoord op uw schrijven op mijn foto. Ik zou u dagelijks de flaters van de dag kunnen bezorgen, over onze wegen en signalisatie in Vlaanderen, Een bos van borden en de meeste spreken elkaar tegen, en ik weet waar over ik praat, sommige mensen die dit lezen weten wat ik bedoel***
Wie hier de geluksvogel is weet ik niet echt, maar uw foto is zeker foto waardig genomen, en gepresenteerd.
Mooi foto werk, bedankt.

Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John

sacimar (38173) 2019-10-01 10:43

Hello Benny,

this is a strage custom indeed, good image with great detail, I like the combination of elements we can see here, well done,

Best regards,

Sergio

COSTANTINO (117814) 2019-10-01 12:40

Hello dear friend and have a nice time
original version
photo with useful notes
welldone
regards
Costantino

emka (158860) 2019-10-01 23:53

Hello Benny, Very surprising when we open the picture. I wouldn't like to see my coffin every day. On the other hand, it is nice to think that I sleep still in bed. Nice view of these traditional shoes. Lovely composition. Very interesting note.

Kind regards MAlgo

dta (98848) 2019-10-08 7:38

Hello Benny,
An original picture ! Excellent framing for the best visual impact .
Regards