Daiyu 黛玉

🇨🇳🇻🇳 living in 🇺🇸 | Asian Folk Religion, Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism | My references and journey

[eastern-devotee]

你好, 안녕, hi!!

I'm Daiyu 黛玉!

I practice Asian Folk Religion, Esoteric Taoism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. I am also interested in Kemetic Paganism.

My pronouns are they/she. I am 26 years old.

I am of Chinese and Korean descent on my Dad's side, and Indian descent on my Mom's side. So yes, I'm quite mixed. I was raised in an Asian-American household speaking English. My Dad has sadly passed on, as he was older than my Mom. His remaining family has passed on as well. I am here to reclaim my culture and background. I'm trying to connect to my cultural roots. I am taking the initiative to learn Mandarin and Korean, too.

On this blog I am mostly tagging resources and things related to my craft.

I hope you can learn something along with me on this journey!

[somethingtocallmine]

[psalmicwitch]

Good Practices for Grieving Witches

Grief sucks. It’s weird, it’s exhausting, and it never looks the way you expect. One minute, you’re crying into your tea, and the next, you’re furious at the universe. It could be anticipatory grief (I see you), grief over death, grief over a society we're losing, or anything else. Someone/something doesn't have to die for you to grieve. If you're a witch dealing with grief (or just a person, honestly), here are some things that might help:

🔮 For the “I have no energy” grief – Light a candle. That’s it. No elaborate rituals, no full moon graveyard walks. Just light a candle, maybe whisper their name, and let that be enough. If even that’s too much? Sleep. Spirits know how to wait.

🔥 For the “I’m so fucking mad” grief – Channel it. Burn shit (safely). Scream at the sky. Write down every angry thought, then tear it up or toss it into running water. Grief is messy, and magic doesn’t have to be polite.

🌿 For the “I just wanna feel close to them” grief – Make a little spot for them, if that feels right. A photo, a trinket, their favorite snack. Talk to them, even if it feels weird. Signs can be subtle, but sometimes they’re loud as hell.

🌊 For the “everything hurts and I need comfort” grief – Water is your best friend. Drink it, bathe in it, cry in it, leave an offering in it. Emotions move like water—let them flow instead of bottling them up.

Grief is a long, stupid road, but you’re walking it. However you get through it—whether you’re lighting a candle, throwing hands at the sky, or just taking a deep breath—it’s enough.

[ziseviolet]

Hey there! I checked your blog and found it to be absolute amazing! Thank you for sharing so much about chinese culture and information with us ^-^ Uh... so, I wanted to ask if you know some tips to drawing a huadian when you don't know how to paint well...? It might sound a bit dumb but... Or maybe I should just practice?

Hi! Glad to hear you like my blog! ^^ (Image via)

I’ve actually never drawn huadian/花钿 before, but I did find some Youtube makeup tutorials that depict how to draw huadian. For example, the tutorial below utilizes a lip brush and red lipstick to create a simple 3-petal huadian. Generally, when it comes to learning how to draw things well, all it takes is some practice!

However, the easiest and most commonly used method nowadays is temporary tattoos! There’s a huge variety of huadian tattoos available on Taobao, and they come in many different designs and colors. Below - a typical set of huadian tattoos from Taobao:

If you find painting huadian too difficult or if you want more complex designs, then I recommend using temporary huadian tattoos ^^. Hope this helps!

[eastern-devotee]

✨️ Saraswati devotional moodboard ✨️

[desiblr-aesthetic]

HAPPY HOLI MOODBOARD

14.03.2025

[peekofhistory]

Different brow shapes in historic China. Which one do you like most?

(My favourite is the Moon curved brows and the Moth brows, although the Osmanthus leaf brow is what I picture when I think of the Tang Dynasty.)

Src:

杨子古典美学妆造

【来看看古代都有什么眉形？】

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1QCCJY4E2U/

(ENG subs by me :D)

[buried-in-stardust]

A few transformations

[xzyumi]

tang dynasty miku

[jamesusilljournal]

Zhao Guojing

[a-full-moon-and-blooming-flowers]

Lost in an aesthetic

[jasminebythebay]

the lady of the moon 🐇🌙

--

This piece is now available on my shop! Link to Listing

[lotusinjadewell]

A quick history of Vietnamese women’s fashion (compiled)

I am on Instagram at vintage.vietnamese.

Part 1: 16th-18th century South Vietnam

Part 2: 16th-18th century North Vietnam

Part 3: Nguyễn dynasty North Vietnam commoner

Part 4.1 & Part 4.2: Nguyễn dynasty Central & South Vietnam commoner; Noble casual attire

Part 5.1 & Part 5.2: Nguyễn dynasty court attire Nhật Bình

Part 6: Nguyễn dynasty court attire Phoenix’s robe

Part 7: Basic vintage áo dài in the 1920s - 1970s

Part 8: Áo dài with y-shaped collar of the 1930s

Part 9: Áo dài with puffy long sleeves of the 1930s - 1950s - More historical photos

Part 10: Collarless áo dài of the 1960s - 1970s

Part 11: Áo dài during Vietnam War (1954-1975): Is there a difference between the North and the South?

Part 12: Hippie fashion influences on áo dài

Q&A: Modern áo dài online brands & trends

P.S: I forgot to mention, but apparently women could wear giao lĩnh cross collar robe during late Nguyễn dynasty too. We can see it in the following portrait of Châu Thị Ngọc Lương, wife of Hồ Đắc Trung, as shared by Anthony Ho-Dac, one of her descendant. Here is the original link. In 1898, during the reign of Emperor Thanh Thai, it is also recorded that on the occasion of Empress Lệ Thiên Anh’s 70th birthday, the Imperial Concubine Nguyễn Gia Thị Anh was gifted with a giao lĩnh cross collar robe. And Empress Nam Phương has been photographed wearing giao lĩnh cross collar robe too. If more evidence of Nguyễn dynasty women’s giao lĩnh surfaces and warrant more than just a postcript, I will write a post about the topic.

—

Quick notes about Vietnamese men’s historical clothings

Types of hats to be worn with Nguyễn dynasty’s round collar robes

Types of hats that could be worn with Nguyễn dynasty’s cross collar robes with rank badges

Miện quan with 12, 9 and 4 strings of beads

Long trấn & mãng lan military outfits

[lotusinjadewell]

Hi! Thanks so much for the vietnamese traditional fashion history.

Could you link some online places where we can get ao dai?

And is there any modern fashion twist in the recent years?

Thanks again.

Hi there, thanks for your questions. Regarding online modern áo dài brands, I would like to introduce Sumire Store.

I have heard good feedback from friends about the quality of their products, and that their service for customers from outside Vietnam is very good.

They have many collections, for both daily life and special occation, so you can choose the áo dài that best suits your personal style, as well as your purpose.

Besides Sumire Store, there are many different modern áo dài brands. I have not buy from them, but I will list down below some whose áo dài lookbook I recently come across and like.

I might come back and update this list if more brands come to mind, or if I encounter new brands.

Áo Dài Thị

Áo Dài For Her

Magonn Design (2021 Áo Dài Collection)

D.CHIC (2021 Áo Dài Collections: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An)

Caffeine Studio (2021 Áo Dài Collection)

Daisy (2020 Áo Dài Collection)

OZ Design House (Áo Dài designs)

pomeé (2020 Áo Dài Collection)

Ceilio (2021, 2020 Áo Dài Collection)

Tiem Huu la la (2021 Áo Dài Collection)

NAKED by V (2021 Áo Dài Collection)

HOIVU (2021 Áo Dài Collection)

Tủ Nhà Mây (2020 Áo Dài Collection, 2019 Áo Dài Collection)

Áo Dài Luci (Ý Niên collection)

In recent years, some modern fashion twists I have seen in áo dài includes áo dài with big puffy sleeves:

(Credit: Maki)

For convenience, many modern áo dài use zippers, and the zippers are placed on the back, instead of of using snap-ons and placed on front as in the 20th century and early 21st century:

Going back to the late 2010s, embroidered áo dài like below was in fashion as well:

(Credit: OLV Boutique)

Another trend of the late 2010s was mixing áo dài with skirts, instead of pants:

(Credit: Oversized Shop)

Or áo dài with two flaps:

(Credit: OnOn MADE)

(Credit: OLV Boutique)

I hope you can find an áo dài that you like from one of the shops above. If you have any other questions, please feel free to send them to me!

[fmp2lh-f]

Folk Religion

Folk religion plays a significant role in shaping the spiritual and cultural fabric of Vietnam. Rooted in the indigenous beliefs and practices of the Vietnamese people, folk religion coexists harmoniously with organized religions such as Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. This unique blend reflects the syncretic nature of Vietnam's religious landscape.

Key elements of Vietnamese folk religion include ancestor veneration, the worship of spirits, and the belief in protective deities associated with various aspects of daily life. Ancestor worship is particularly prominent, as it emphasizes maintaining a connection with deceased family members and seeking their guidance and blessings for the living. Families often have ancestor altars in their homes where rituals and offerings take place during important occasions and holidays.

Spirit worship involves venerating spirits believed to inhabit natural elements, such as rivers, mountains, and trees. These spirits, often referred to as "thần," are regarded as guardians and are propitiated to ensure harmony and good fortune. Special ceremonies, such as those during the Tet festival, involve offerings to appease spirits and seek their favor for the coming year.

Local deities, known as "ông" and "bà," are also integral to Vietnamese folk religion. These deities are often associated with specific villages, professions, or natural phenomena. People turn to them for protection, prosperity, and guidance, offering rituals and ceremonies in their honor.

The impact of folk religion is visible in the numerous communal temples, shrines, and sacred sites that dot the Vietnamese landscape. These places of worship serve as focal points for community gatherings, festivals, and rituals, fostering a sense of communal identity and shared spirituality.

In addition to its influence on religious practices, folk religion has permeated various aspects of Vietnamese culture, influencing art, folklore, and traditional medicine. Festivals and ceremonies associated with folk beliefs contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Vietnam's cultural heritage.

[famousinuniverse]

Religion in Vietnam

Despite Vietnam being on atheist state officially, religion is an integral part of Vietnamese culture and everyday life. While Buddhism, Catholicism and Protestantism find followers in the country, the dominant religion is the Vietnamese folk religion. This religion combines elements of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism along with indigenous practices.

Vietnamese Folk Religion

Cao Daism, a monotheistic Vietnamese folk religion fusing aspects of Confucianism, Taosim, and Buddhism 

A major component of Vietnamese folk religion is the Than (spirit or deity) which may be nature gods, community deities or ancestral gods of a particular family. Ancestral veneration is especially prevalent, and narratives of heroic acts and cosmic forces abound in local mythology. The temples, known as Mieu are usually located away from the city's bustle in more secluded areas. Mother Goddesses also form an important part of the theological aspect of Vietnamese culture; The Lady of the Realm and the Trung sisters have multiple shrines across the country.

Buddhism in Vietnam

The Long Son Pagoda in Nha Trang, a Buddhist Temple with a large white marble Buddha statue seen behind it

Buddhism arrived in Vietnam through India and China as early as the second century AD. Vietnamese Buddhism is significantly different from the way it is practised elsewhere, as is evident by the absence of sanghas, hierarchy and other institutional structures that usually exist. Mahayana Buddhism is the dominant school of Buddhism here, coupled with elements of Taoism and Chinese beliefs. Practitioners focus less on spirituality and more on devotional rituals such as chanting sutras and dharanis to obtain the blessing of Bodhisattvas.

Christianity

Mass in progress at the Christ Church, Nha Trang

The most widespread church in Vietnam is the Roman Catholic church, which arrived with the Portuguese missionaries and strengthened its foothold with the French colonialists. The national language script of Vietnam used in present times, written in the Latin alphabet with diacritics, also came into use with the help of these missionaries. Protestantism also gained following over the last century, and now has over 50,000 practitioners.

[bookofdan]

Introduction to Chinese Esotericism

Taoism is a nature-based religion, philosophy, and a 2,000 year old tradition of sorcery native to China since the Zhou Dynasty. In that sam

[praisedbeshewhoisnoble]

Taoist Magic for Beginners: How to Get Started

This is a companion write-up to the above video. Continuing from what I said in the video chat, if this is something you seriously want to d