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. This represents the belief that the body will one day return to the earth in line with the cycle of life. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. What Do You Give at a Vietnamese Funeral? On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. The most gifted funeral flower in Vietnamese culture is the white lotus. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one's parents. Vietnamese people think that it is a lucky . Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. Read more here. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students. Like most other Eastern countries, Vietnam also has its own beliefs, culture, and religions, which have been formed and developed over the centuries. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Family members hold constant vigil over the body. Superstitions in Vietnam. The first day of the Vietnamese New Year is a very important day for most traditional families. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. Find more hotels to stay in Vietnam below: Ho Chi Minh Private Tours:Saigon Shore ExcursionsMotorbike City ToursSaigon Food Tours, i Tour Vietnam - Private Tours Ltd. Outside Vietnam +84 986188801Inside Vietnam 0986188801 (English)info@itourvn.com. Superstition and belief are still large parts of daily Vietnamese life. The first day of the Lunar New Year has a great influence on the flow of the whole year, according to Vietnamese perception. The head of the family is the firm shoulder to other members to rely on, hence choosing the direction that is suitable for the breadwinner is the best. With many years of experience, she shares about the "range" of Vietnamese . You can often see this ritualduring the Tet holiday, one's funeral, the, Vietnamese Superstitions and Fortune-telling, There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. Even so, people continue to do so because they think it is something they can do for the people who gave birth to them or the people they are indebted to, giving them peace of mind. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. It is used as a lucky color for wrapping gifts, including red envelopes. The ritual is simple: the shop owner lights a piece of paper on fire and waves it around in front of their shop to scare the bad luck away. Depends on what youre praying for, be it health, wealth, or general fortune for yourself and your family, you will pray to different deities. Vietnam's massive library of idioms also teaches important values and life lessons: to work hard, to love one another, to remember one's roots. calculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. 5. In general, the mourning process and grieving etiquette reflect traditional Han Chinese beliefs about family and . Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. 1. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. While offerings will be much appreciated, do not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be welcome enough. There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. The owl is a sign of bad luck. meaning wealth, prosperity. So when youre visiting a friends family during Tet, make sure not to comment about their piled-up trash or help out with cleaning, as you will be throwing out their good fortune. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. Due to this. You may lose money. 6. Red is considered a lucky color because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the color red. You can see more of these irrational beliefs inchopsticks-using manners and gift-giving etiquettes in Vietnam. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. In feng shui law, your personal lucky number iscalculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. Horoscopes are a method of foretelling a persons future based on the position and the movement of stars and planets in the universe and consulting horoscopes is one of the most popular superstitions in Vietnam. In order to get rid of it, it is advised that you should draw a line of salt in front of your door, this will act as a talisman or protective charm that will keep the spirits from entering your home. In the Vietnamese culture, as exemplified by these superstitions which my aunt picked up on from her own mother and other adult family friends, rituals surrounding the New Year are of utmost importance and not to be taken lightly. These Vietnamese superstitions not only reflect in our traditions, culture, day to day life but to the extent that they can also dictate from which date is the best to open a business, go on a vacation or wedding ceremony, etc. It is avoided to the extent that buildings sometimes 'skip' the 4th floor, labelling it as the 5th, which can be confusing if you're deciphering levels in a . Hold the door open. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. You cant have a stable career without a residence. Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral Customs (49 days). Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news. One of the most common superstitions is the number four. The biggest festival of the year in Vietnam. Influenced by Buddhism, many Chinese people believe that the souls of the dead stay and protect their descendants. Therefore, buying a house is a basic need for everyone. Breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad luck. Don't swear or fight. Unfortunately, this number has many unlucky meanings, and people believe it brings misfortune and bad luck. Even though most people believe that everything is numbered, they are still curious about their destiny and find horoscope masters to get informed and ask for advice. While you should refrain from cheerful behavior, this is consistent with any western funeral service. It is believed that by doing so, youd sweep out the good luck that the new year brings. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. Any of the Four Symbols. However, you are best placed to avoid red flowers as this color is reserved for happy occasions such as the new year. The altar from home is placed on top of the gravesite. There are no unique expectations of conduct at a Vietnamese wake and funeral. 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. Do you find yourself throwing spilled salt over your shoulder without even stopping to consider why? While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. Do you stop each day at 11:11 to make a wish? Just as an old Vietnamese proverb goes Co kieng co lanh, which can be roughly translated to There is no worship without sacredness, there are no taboos without luck. When Ngoc Hoang found out about this act, he punished her by turning her into a broom and forced her to work all year long, only allowing her to rest in the first 3 days of Tet. The intention was to target the alleged superstitions of the North Vietnamese, by making the Ace of Spades the symbol of death, humiliation, and suffering. Today, both dogs and cats are well-loved by thousands of pet owners. 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. If you visit a shop early in the morning in Vietnam, its considered common courtesy to buy something even if you dont really need it it neednt be a big purchase, a small item will do. The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. Vietnamese Superstitions. These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. She used to cook for 21 heads of state at APEC Danang 2017 and was introduced by famous chef Anthony Bourdain on CNN. But for Ian Rose the hairy mole is a lucky . Writer David Lamb mentions it in an article about superstition in Vietnam, stating that Vietnamese folklore is a mixture Buddhism, local tradition . However, some have roots deeply integrated in our culture that theyve become a part of Vietnamese social etiquette. Image credit: ststanislausparish.com. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good luck! Check out our, This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. Those other items used to be just clothes, hats, jewelry, cars, houses, etc., but now there are also modern and fashionable votives such as iPhones, computers, etc. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. As an old Vietnamese saying put it, a dog coming into your house signifies good fortune. . Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. 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 first day of the lunar new year. In Vietnams daily life, there are a lot of unusual things happening that no one can explain. 2. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. A lot of people in Vietnam would shy away from taking group pictures in which there are three people in the frame. Except for blood, probably. Pass Under the Casket. Owls are bad omens. Most Vietnamese have multiple altars in both their home and workplace to worship their ancestors as well as different deities like Buddha, Bodhisattva, Than Tai(Caishen) - God of Wealth, and Phuc Loc Tho - the three Gods of Prosperity, Wealth, and Longevity. You can often see this ritualduring the Tet holiday, one's funeral, the death memorial occasions, andVietnamese Ghosts Month or so-called Thang Co Hon. It is believed that by doing so, youd sweep out the good luck that the new year brings. Vietnamese superstitions to know You've probably heard sayings such as "13 is an unlucky number" or "don't walk under a ladder or you'll face bad luck" before. It begins with the preparation of the deceased's body that will be on display at the family home until it is time for the funeral. Hey your article is pretty cool. Due to this, expectant mums are encouraged to avoid funerals as they risk putting an omen on the grieving. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. Image credit: @ng10_11. This extends from the belief that loved ones will receive these items in the afterlife. Your birth year is 1996, 9 + 6 = 15 -> 1 + 5 = 6, If you are male: 10 - 6 = 4 then your lucky number is 4, If you are female: 6 + 5 = 12 -> 1 + 2 = 3 then your lucky, Irrational Beliefs in Vietnamese Superstitions. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. Youve probably heard sayings such as 13 is an unlucky number or dont walk under a ladder or youll face bad luck before. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. At sunrise or very early on the final day, a procession to transport the coffin to a gravesite or crematory will occur. The following are some examples: After a death, windows were closed so the deceased's soul could not fly out. In Buddhism, for older people who are ill and know they are going to die, death is acceptable and is not shocking for the family. , telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. Shedding tears onto the body can be a bad omen. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. Below are some common examples of Vietnamese superstitions. This symbolizes the pure cyclical nature of life. When it is the, Vietnamese people have one believe that a human has souls and spirits, in particular, a man has 3 souls and 7 spirits while these numbers are respectively 3 and 9 to a woman. 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. 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. The Vietnamese hold special dinners to commemorate the 49 th and 100 th days of mourning as well as the first anniversary of their beloved family members' deaths. Breaking a Mirror The ancient Romans believed that human life renewed itself in 7-year cycles (mirroring the cycles of the moon). TOP 7 VIETNAMESE SUPERSTITIONS THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT, 1 - Vietnamese superstitions list: The first caller bringing luck, 2 - Avoiding sweeping the house during Tet holiday, 3 - Top 7 Vietnamese superstitions: Burning ghost money, 4 - Vietnamese superstitions: Burning a bamboo spill for chasing ill luck away, 5 - Top Vietnamese superstitions: Judging home direction before buying, 6 - Top 7 Vietnamese superstitions: Consulting horoscope, In Vietnams daily life, there are a lot of unusual things happening that no one can explain. When Vietnamese people celebrate Tet, which falls on the Lunar New Year date of Feb. 12, they describe it as "an Tet," an expression that translates to "eating the New Year." (Tet Nguyen . There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. Many Buddhist funeral ceremonies extend over a long period of time to assist the spirit of the deceased in transition. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in meaning wealth, prosperity. 5. Burning votive paper. This is just for Buddhists though. Quite silly, actually. This practice is known as Dot phong. Just as people from other countries have their own tales of tooth fairies, we Vietnamese also have our own way to deal with our baby teeth when they come off. These gi days occur yearly or more often depending on religion and beliefs. 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. . Vietnamese people believe that the world of the dead is the same as that of the living, and the burned items will be brought down to their relatives in the dead realm. While you should refrain from using your phone for leisure during the service, it is acceptable to take photos and videos during the funeral. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral may choose to offer flowers, food, or verbal condolences to the grieving. Yet, it is also known for a rumor: As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Embalming and organ donation are acceptable in the Catholic faith. They will usually adorn white clothing or shrouds as well. 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. 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. When she is not trying to configure websites, Kate can be found walking in nature with a coffee firmly in hand. A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. Mourners who cry too hard may pull the soul so they should exercise restraint or risk a ghost remaining on earth. Avoid wearing white or black. 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. On the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout Asia, many of the years are considered incompatible. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. The word lon in Vietnamese means to reverse, so you should only eat a balut to reverse your bad luck and not when you are lucky. In fact, folks collect them in a corner of the house so that the shelter is still neat while the luck is saved. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. 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 belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. 1) The first day of Tet. Most likely, its just a random act our forefathers came up with as a placebo to help boost our confidence and alleviate our fear of water. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). In Chinese culture, the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 4 lies in the way it sounds. 6. Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. This may appear non-scientific and silly to an outsider, yet most Chinese adhere to this belief. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. In fact, some people prefer having cats as they dont need as much attention as dogs, making them perfect for the busy lives were now leading. Meaning of White Headband at Vietnamese Funerals, Vietnamese Funeral Etiquette What to Do & Not to Do, What do I Say? They are even concerned with who should first set foot in their house on . 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. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. Reasons? If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. Hence, there are some things, some actions that they consider good and of course, some are seen as bad, that need avoiding. Depending on religious beliefs, many of the Vietnamese culture believes that souls live on after death, but especially that a person should die in their home surrounded by his family. I'll just list a few. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. The number four gets its bad name because it sounds like "death" in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai. Whistle at night will attract snakes. As Vietnamese funerals will likely have some unique customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage. Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. Some people just see them as things to remember in life, but there are people who follow them as if they were the ultimate law of the universe. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. 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. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). Burning incense is a way to respect the gods and the deceased relatives. For example, the, fishermen 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. Do we need to give money at a Vietnamese funeral? 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