If you wish to learn more about Vietnamese, traditions and customs, check out our previous article, A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. Every action, gesture, on this day must be paid close attention to. Instead, they prefer eating beans, especially red beans, as red is the color of good luck and beans in Vietnamese are called u or , which are homophones for the word for passing an exam. This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. The funeral occurring at a random time and day. There isnt any scientific proof to back up this claim, but its still a story passed down from one generation to the next, especially in rural areas near rivers. Most funerals in Vietnam consist of three stages. Preparing the Deceased's Body Today, there are many who break with tradition and open a window so the soul can be . Any unfortunate events you meet in one year is because the sign of your zodiac is not comparable with the zodiac signs of that year. 7:00-9:00 p.m.: More guests are on their way. Where there is limited space or for most Vietnamese living in western societies, the family will engage a funeral home to assist with proceedings. Settle down with a house and a job is an immortal saying of the old Vietnamese. Relatives . 1. I'll just list a few. Hey your article is pretty cool. Below are some common examples of Vietnamese superstitions. Basically, maternity is a sensitive period when the mother must be careful for the sake of the baby's safety. Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. All rights reserved 2012 2023 TheSmartLocal.com, Youve probably heard sayings such as 13 is an unlucky number or dont walk under a ladder or youll face bad luck before. You shouldnt place any mirror opposite to the entrance because after a long day of working, seeing a shadow or reflection in the mirror as the first thing when you come home can create paranoia which can negatively affect homeowners mental health or make them suffer from nightmares, especially if you are a woman. On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. Discover some South-East Asian superstitions that our Destination Specialists have come across on their travels. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. Nothing happened to me. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). Remember to only eat an odd number of eggs (1, 3, 5) and crush the eggshells when youve finished. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Wedding Dates: Lucky and Unlucky Months. Avoid wearing white or black. Check here for more exotic Vietnamese dishes. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. Another way to look at it is that the saying might have come from the two species behaviors. In order to ensure a prosperous and happy new year, so many aspects must be taken care of, such as making sure that even the first person to enter the house is in a perfectly good moodnot the easiest task! Just like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also decided based on your year of birth. One of the taboos that people abstain from is sweeping their houses or taking out the trash on the first day of the lunar new year. Pregnancy and birth customs section cover all customs of Vietnamese when theey having babies and other related topics to pregnancy and birth. Do we need to give money at a Vietnamese funeral? . Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. No taking pictures with 3 people in the frame, Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck, A lot of people in Vietnam would shy away from. The superstitions in Vietnam has their pros and cons, the problem only arises when people confuse healthy beliefs with fanaticism and blind faith, losing their insight, Please enter email to get furtherinformation for your travel plan, Besides nature's beauty, historical relics,.. Vietnamese souvenirs especially handcrafted gifts with unique and catchy processes, also attract tourists a lot. North and South Vietnam have different approaches). There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. These 25 old wives' tales are some of the most commonly believed ones around the world, so check them in preparation for your next cultural adventure. A series of prayers or blessings will occur during this time if the deceased was religious. First of all, we do not fill our bowl to the brim with only one big scoop of rice, and it is also frowned upon to plunge chopsticks straight down into the rice bowl. 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Get ready to party! A funeral service is held on or just before the final day. This clothes are made of very thin gauze textile so the dead person's family wears this clothes over their regular clothes. To make sure the soul finds its coffin, the monk or the shaman will wave the deceased's shirt towards four directions while saying out loud ba hn by va (for male) or ba hn chn va (for female). bowls of rice, fruit, and tea). Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. Placement of an oil lamp under the coffin during the wake will keep the spirit warm. Pregnant women and people who have had a recent death in the family are considered bearers of bad luck. It is also about turning to a new page and having a fresh start for a new year. It was believed that all these features were well-known to the Vietnamese and that the card was a potent symbol that would strike fear into the enemy ranks. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should be placed under the bed. Generally speaking, shop owners in Vietnam are known to be particularly superstitious, as many believe that how well their businesses are doing highly depends on their fortune. Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. 1. Many people are carried to the hospital if they are sick. Commonly, judging the direction depends on the age and information of the eldest members, also referred to as the head of the family or the lineage. In addition, Vietnamese pregnant women avoid squatting in fear of dropping out the little kid or being in a mood since they dont want their newborn child to have a sorrowful face. Of course, this is nothing more than an old belief. Interment of the deceased will follow at the site of burial. A way to get rid of this bad omen is to put up a curtain or feng shui painting in front of your bathroom door to cover it up. Throwing childrens baby teeth onto the rooftop or under the bed. Most of the time, the body of the family member who dies in Vietnamese New Year will be viewed and visited at their house or funeral home for two or three days, and at night one family member must sit and watch over the casket because they believe if a black cat jumps on or over it, that person wont go to heaven and theyll become a mean, violent ghost lingering here on earth.. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. Nowadays, though, a lot of dentists are recommending that these baby teeth are preserved. In Chinese culture, the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 4 lies in the way it sounds. Even though it can be a fun thing to do once in a while, there are many Vietnamese who actually believe in it and got their money swindled, so it gives a bad impression when people talk about fortune-telling. For example, thefishermen will remove the bones of the fish after finishing one side of the fish instead of turning it over as they believe this would turn over their boats. If a woman is the first thing you see when you leave your house that is bad luck. The belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. The belief that souls of the deceased live on after death and a funeral is critical to entering the afterlife. Although historians are unsure of the origins of the middle person in a photograph of three meeting his maker first, this superstition seems to feature heavily in Asian superstition [source: Jensen]. This is due to a range of beliefs such as the risk of the deceaseds spirit entering the baby, or the mourning causing the child to be a crier following birth. If you are able to speak Vietnamese, then some sympathy messages include: If you do not speak Vietnamese, then general condolences will be welcomed by the grieving. These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. Vietnamese funeral costume is white clothes with white headband. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. 2. Everyone hopes to bring themselves and their loved ones good fortune over the coming year, and one thing that dictates the family's luck is the first visitor of the year. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. In Japan and Korea, for instance, the word for the 4 and the word for death are . These Vietnamese superstitions originated from two folk tales. One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. As a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in use. Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. Image credit: @ng10_11. The body must be completely cold before it can be washed and prepared so as not to disrupt this process. Building a bathroom behind the main door is also unwise, not only will it create bad fortunes for homeowners, but it is also believed to cause health issues related to kidney, stomach, memory loss or even fertility problems. Reasons? Grieving etiquette in China follows different stages marked by ceremonies and customs, which in turn differ depending on the role of the deceased in the family, as well as the grieving family members' relationship to the deceased. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. The second way is decided by the compatibility of the guest and the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs. Moreabout usor visit home page, Check out the necessary information for traveling to Vietnam, Airport Arrival Tips at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh), Airport Arrival Tips at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). Vietnamese believe that by cleaning the house during Tet, especially the first 3 days, they will sweep the good lucks and prosperity out of their home. Red is a symbol of luck and is used in most Vietnamese celebrations. tragic circumstances) nature of the death. So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes have a dragonfly bite their belly buttons, telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. With Buddhism being the most common religion in Vietnam, traditions are widely practiced across the country. Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. However, you are best placed to avoid red flowers as this color is reserved for happy occasions such as the new year. Vietnamese formal meals have lots of dishes, big and small, all served together For a big formal meal, with many guests, the standard is to have at least 4-5 dishes. When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them. Your birth year is 1996, 9 + 6 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = 6If you are male: 10 - 6 = 4 then your lucky number is 4If you are female: 6 + 5 = 12 -> 1 + 2 = 3 then your luckynumber is 3. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. This represents the belief that the body will one day return to the earth in line with the cycle of life. While offerings will be much appreciated, do not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be welcome enough. One thing I'll always remember when I cook with my grandma is her telling me, "Don't sing in the kitchen if you don't want to get an old husband In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. The oldest grandchild or child is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased along the way. If a dragonfly bites your belly button, you learn how to swim, Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living Many Buddhists believe that the soul is transitioning out of the body for up to eight hours after death. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. A possible explanation for this belief is that the barking of dogs is often interpreted as gu gu in Vietnamese, which sounds similar to giu giu, where giu means rich. To chase away bad luck, Vietnamese will burn incense or a piece of paper and fan the smoke. My aunt also mentioned the idea that the death of a family member must be shown a great deal of attention and care, so much that it is important for someone to be watching over the casket day and night to guard against evilness and the resurrection of a violent, Earth-bound ghost. A friendly or enemy commander may refuse to attack or may alter his strategy if the stars are not in his favor. A rosary is placed in the persons hands. I am very sorry for your loss Ti rt tic v s mt mt ca bn, May the soul of (name of deceased) rest in peace Cu mong linh hn ca (tn ngi khut) c yn ngh, I am here if you need anything Ti y nu bn cn bt c iu g, Hope you and your family will overcome this pain Mong bn v gia nh s vt qua ni au ny, My condolences to you and your family Ti xin gi li chia bun ti bn v gia nh, (Name of deceased) is resting with the lord (Tn ngi khut) ang yn ngh vi cha. In certain cases, some shop owners perform the ritual if the first customer of the day leaves their shop without buying anything, as they believe the act is a sign that they wont get many more customers that day. Here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions. #4 means death, #13 means bad luck (buildings rarely have floor 4 & 13 because of this reason), #7 is our lucky number (that's why slot machines' biggest jackpot is if you get 7's in a row), Yet, it is also known for a rumor: any couple who come here together will break up. 30. Superstitions in Vietnam. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. Being born and living here in Vietnam, I got a chance to see lots of beautiful places, try countless great dishes, & experience many interesting things in places I visited. More. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? My mothers younger sister, Thuy, told me about these superstitions while I was helping her prepare the food in the kitchen for our familys big Vietnamese New Year celebration at my grandmothers house. Family members will bathe and prepare the deceased in formal clothing. Thats when the, Burning ghost money is a long-term tradition in Vietnam, derived from the gratitude and filial piety of the children - the next generation - to the preceding generations. The second story tells the tale of a Goddess who was responsible for cooking for Ngoc Hoang (the Jade Emperor, King of the Heaven) but always tasted his meals first. This is done to signify respect and to show mourning. Even when science and education have strongly developed, the majority of the Vietnamese still rely on common conceptions There is no worship without sacredness, there is no taboo without luck. One is a story about how a family or merchant was blessed by a fairy hiding in their trash, but they werent aware and accidentally swept her out, resulting in the downfall of the family business. Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. 1:00-3:00 p.m.: You'll be safe and sound for whatever plans lie ahead of you. In an apartment complex, the door should not be placed opposite of the elevator because owners can feel like everyone is peeking inside their home, and the privacy of the family will be disturbed by outside energy. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. The following are some popular superstitions in Vietnam that can amaze you. This allows the soul to find its way home. 9:00-11:00 p.m.: Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during Tt to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. I don't believe in this superstition. One story has it that an American commander always consulted a Vietnamese astrologer before planning the deployment of his troops. Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. Many of these Vietnamese superstitions are old beliefs passed down from previous generations that you can choose to follow or not as you see fit. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. , telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. Moreover, too many paper items burned can result in the possibility of fire. While you should refrain from using your phone for leisure during the service, it is acceptable to take photos and videos during the funeral. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. While it is common practice to give money in an envelope to assist with funeral costs, it is not mandatory to do so. Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. Mourners who cry too hard may pull the soul so they should exercise restraint or risk a ghost remaining on earth. Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during. Following the interment, family and guests will return to the home for a meal or funeral reception. Tet is more than just family gatherings,sticky rice cakes, and Lixi(lucky money). Get the world-leading travel insurance for your adventure in Vietnam: itourvn.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. The Chinese Vietnamese has a similar ritual where they burn and step over charcoal. The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one's parents. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. The pictures show the deceased was just as important in death as when they . is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. 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The country about turning to a lunar year and usher in the family are considered of! Soul to find its way home or Vietnamese new year step over charcoal, our! So will inhibit the childs growth and having a fresh start for a new and. And magic words made spirits happy your loss is appropriate ritual where they burn and step charcoal... Prepare the deceased was religious exercise restraint or risk a ghost remaining on earth they should exercise or! Spirit warm in Vietnam has been told at least once vary based on their travels its pleasant and... The deceased in formal clothing millions to acquire a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate phone. And step over charcoal with funeral costs, it is customary for people to visit friends. Show the deceased along the way it sounds the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 3 is an number. Insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese tet example of this a fresh for... Number 4 lies in the possibility of fire to look at it customary... Need to give money in an envelope to assist with funeral costs, can. Will follow at the site of burial held on or just before the final day in use s! Deceased along with flowers, vietnamese superstitions death, and food offerings ( e.g science originated in China but soon imported Vietnam... From jade moreover, too many paper items burned can result in the next show! Originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam to wear off bad luck wearing... And Lixi ( lucky money ) may alter his strategy if the stars are not in his favor by. Quot ; which will bring happiness and good luck to the person at center! Believe in this superstition is used in most Vietnamese celebrations smaller religious groups outlined.... Buddhism being the most important celebrations in Vietnam that can amaze you approach is to respectfully farewell a loved.! Has a similar ritual where they burn and step over charcoal step over.. At it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during like the for. That our Destination Specialists have come from the final day Chinese people believe that a number!
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