On the evening of December 17, the Organizing Committee of Miss Vietnam 2024 officially announced important items such as the crown, coronation trophy and phoenix robe for the winner.
Among them, the phoenix robe named "Ngu Phung Te Phi", created by designer Tran Thien Khanh, has become the center of attention because of the meaning it is associated with.
According to information from the Organizing Committee and content posted on the official fanpage, the phoenix robe "Five Phoenixes Flying Together" is described as follows:
“This is the pride like the resounding epic of heaven and earth, the crystallization of talent and national pride. On the royal yellow background, the symbol of prosperity and power, the five phoenix wings soaring in the sky represent the honor of the beauty and intelligence of Vietnamese women…
"Ngu Phung Te Phi" is both a coronation item and a symbol of the indomitable Vietnamese spirit and aspiration to reach far. The work represents national pride and the pride of Vietnamese beauty in the international arena."
First of all, the use of the phrase "Ngu Phung Te Phi" in this case is a disastrous mistake, if not a lack of thorough understanding of the national culture of the designer as well as the Organizing Committee.
“Ngu Phung Te Phi” (five phoenixes flying together) is a famous phrase associated with the studious spirit of the people of Quang Nam. This is not an arbitrarily created phrase, but has been “stamped” into history by King Thanh Thai of the Nguyen Dynasty.
In 1898, King Thanh Thai bestowed the title "Ngu Phung Te Phi" to honor five famous scholars from Quang Nam who passed the imperial examinations: Pham Lieu, Phan Quang, Pham Tuan (Phi Si), Duong Hien Tien and Ngo Chuan (Phi Bang).
This signboard is not only the pride of the land of learning Quang Nam but also a symbol of the studious spirit and success of a generation of scholars.
It is unreasonable to use the phrase "Ngu Phung Te Phi" - which has a noble meaning of education - to apply to the beauty queen's outfit. This is not only a forced interpretation of the meaning, but also shows a lack of care when using phrases with historical and cultural value.
Of course, the designer has full freedom to be creative and attach unique meanings to his outfit, even designing five, ten, or fifty phoenixes on it.
But when naming, especially when the name is related to cultural and historical symbols, careful research and consideration is required.
Creativity in art has no limits, but creativity cannot be arbitrary and let the public see respect and basic understanding when touching on the core cultural values of the nation!
