Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui. 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. 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. 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. Superstitions are more than persistent irrationality. Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. Image credit: @ng10_11. While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. They will recite the rosary, sing hymns, and a priest will hold prayer services with mourners. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. calculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. What Do You Give at a Vietnamese Funeral? Here we focus on the largest two congregations and their funeral rites. Some of them are: burning votive paper, meeting fortune tellers to ask for a prediction of future, especially some negative superstitions prevent some young couples from marriage because of their contrasting ages. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? Here are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions that people still believe given out by Katie Kalmusky on The Culture The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. However, it is a custom of the country that people dont clean their homes during the time because sweeping dirt means throwing away fortune. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. To the soldiers in Vietnam, superstition became a kind of . As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Vietnam's ancient history and rich local folklore have led to some strong held beliefs that certain behaviors will increase good fortune while others will doom family members to bad luck or invite evil spirits to lurk around the home. 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. 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. 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). That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. Family members will bathe and prepare the deceased in formal clothing. 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. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. A rosary is placed in the persons hands. According to Vietnamese superstitions, whenever you seem to have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit. Perhaps its because the city has a melancholic vibe to it that makes people think of sadness, or perhaps because there are many supposedly haunted places around associated with tragic love stories and ghosts of young girls betrayed by their lovers who dont want anyone else to be happy. Wow, should I visit a Vietnamese family during the new year holiday? The rites consist of making offerings of fruits, food, wine, votive paper, lighting candles and burning incense before praying in front of the altar. People, especially the female, will go to fortune-tellers (thay boi) and see their, Vietnamese Superstitions - Remedies for Bad Luck and Changing One's Fortune, 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. Many Buddhist funeral ceremonies extend over a long period of time to assist the spirit of the deceased in transition. Breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad luck. The biggest festival of the year in Vietnam. When it is the funeral,the anniversary of the death or big holidays, they will burn a couple of ghost money and paper items in the hope that their ancestors or deceased people can receive them. Old wives' tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them. Family members will burn fake items made of paper such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and cars. However, the owner can change that by changing the arrangement of their home and surrounding environment according to feng shui to harness lucky energy. 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. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Lots of eating and drinking lies ahead. These gi days occur yearly or more often depending on religion and beliefs. You may wonder how the residence looks without being unclustered. What superstitions do you secretly believe? To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. 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). A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. As we were readying the food and setting up the table, she asked if I knew any Vietnamese superstitions regarding the New Year, and proceeded to enlighten me. 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. Moreover, the architecture must ensure harmony amongst all feng shui details. They connect us to our ancient ancestors and traditions. In fact, incense burning is a prominent part of Vietnamese funerals. Thus certain traditions are observed to ward off bad luck. Of course, this is nothing more than an old belief. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. To chase away bad luck, Vietnamese will burn incense or a piece of paper and fan the smoke. Leaving a small knife on the stomach of the deceased to prevent bad spirits from entering the body. So, relish the nightmares! Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral Customs (49 days). A series of prayers or blessings will occur during this time if the deceased was religious. Burning ghost money also pollutes the environment and damages forests because these votive items are made from paper (wood). In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. 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. This practice is known as Dot phonglong. On the other hand, a cat can bring bad luck. 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. Superstitions in Vietnam. It is unclear how this belief came to be and none can actually testify if thats actually the case. 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. . 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 Chinese culture, the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 4 lies in the way it sounds. As a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in use. Just like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also decided based on your year of birth. Vietnamese Sympathy Message. It is important to learn about them so as to avoid upsetting people by mistake. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. As Vietnamese funerals will likely have some unique customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage. 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. The Italian culture has many beliefs passed down from generation to generation and even though many of them may seem absurd to an outsider, they are taken more or less seriously by natives! Gesture University of California Irvine. 1) The first day of Tet. The oldest grandchild or child is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased along the way. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. 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. This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . 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. Do not sing in the kitchen or you'll get an old husband. 4. 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. 9:00-11:00 a.m.: Get ready to party! In Vietnam, a death anniversary is viewed as a celebration of life and a festive occasion. There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. Vietnamese Funeral Costume. Our Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory staff considers it an honor to help families pay tribute to their loved ones after they die. What Flowers are Appropriate for a Vietnamese Funeral? 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. Moreover, too many paper items burned can result in the possibility of fire. 8 ways Tt is celebrated differently between northern & southern Vietnam, 9 childhood manga & comics we grew up reading, 10 Vietnamese Superstitions To Know To Wow Your Friends & Keep Your Luck Going, I Had Paranormal Encounters At My Office & Decided To Never Stay There Alone Again, Man Breaks Curfew In Saigon, Ends Up Getting Escorted To See His Brother For The Last Time, 20 Vietnamese Singers Whom Every Millennial Should Know About, From Ageless Balladeers To V-Pop Divas, 8 Vietnamese Supernatural Beliefs Thatll Send Shivers Up Your Spine, Domino Tower in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam Will Be Southeast Asia's Tallest Building. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. You can see more of these irrational beliefs inchopsticks-using manners and gift-giving etiquettes in Vietnam. Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. Knowing what to expect at a Vietnamese funeral is largely influenced by religion. 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. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. To save our couples from the headache of digging all the dos and don'ts at their weddings, we have collected the 10 most important wedding superstitions in Chinese culture for you to follow. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! 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. Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. The door is one of the most important aspects of feng shui in your home. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. There are some zodiac signs that will be on good terms with one another (usually a group of three zodiacs), while others will be conflicted with one another. The family of the deceased will prepare a banquet to share and visit the grave of their loved one to pray. They choose their numbers using a wide range of tools ranging from the year of birth, elemental/zodiac sign, or just a beautiful sequence of numbers, most notably quadruple eight and nine. 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. The key steps include: Contrary to standard black attire adorned in western cultures, the immediate family of the deceased traditionally wear white headbands during a Vietnamese funeral. You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. Red represents happiness. 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. This practice is known as Dot phong. Where there is limited space or for most Vietnamese living in western societies, the family will engage a funeral home to assist with proceedings. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good 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. after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. During the wake period (usually three days), loved ones will keep constant vigil over the body. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. 2013-2022 i Tour Vietnam | All Rights Reserved | contact: info@itourvn.com, MUI NE, DA LAT & NHA TRANG (6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS). Vietnamese Superstitions. No matter which number you multiply 9 with, the addition of digits in the result of the equation always returns to 9 (for example, 9 x 2 = 18 -> 1 + 8 = 9), symbolizing a complete circle of heaven and earth. This usually includes a wake, mass or prayer service, and burial or cremation. In the past, a Vietnamese funeral could last up to a month or more. , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. My aunts superstitions still remain incredibly significant to her identity, shaping the way she lives life each day and permanently influencing her beliefs. 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. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. Here are history's 13 most enduring superstitions. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. Today, there are many who break with tradition and open a window so the soul can be . Those are for good luck. You cant have a stable career without a residence. Burning votive paper. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one's parents. Vietnamese funeral costume is white clothes with white headband. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. Nothing happened to me. The death anniversary is an expression of Vietnamese identity and values in a world where traditions inevitably change. 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. Superstitions After Birth of Newborn Baby in Vietnam In Vietnamese customs, there are a lot of superstitions related to the newborn baby after birth. Grieving families will consult with a fortune-teller to select a lucky time for the service. Keeping an eye on what or who enters the house is also just as important. 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. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. 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. This extends from the belief that loved ones will receive these items in the afterlife. 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Be careful. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students avoid having eggs in their diet in the days leading up to a big exam. 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. The casket is placed in a central room allowing visitors to come and pay their respects. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. However, make sure that the number of incense you use is always odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) when making offerings to ancestors or Buddhist deities. Like most other Eastern countries, Vietnam also has its own beliefs, culture, and religions, which have been formed and developed over the centuries. That is why there are many Vietnamese superstitions forpregnant women. She used to cook for 21 heads of state at APEC Danang 2017 and was introduced by famous chef Anthony Bourdain on CNN. How Businesses Can Use Colors Most often, these are small, harmless acts that we might as well do to hope for good luck, but at the end of the day, its important to remember not to get too obsessed with them to the point where they affect our lives in a negative way. 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. While there are some fortune-telling methods seeming to use logical reasoning in the reading, but most of them are based on no actual scientific proof or solid pieces of evidence. 41 Surprisingly Fun Funeral Ideas To Celebrate A Life Lived, 21 Ideas What To Get Someone Whose Dog Died. Incense will be lit on a daily basis in tribute. If you had bad luck in your dreams, perhaps there is some counter-vailing good luck that will pop-up elsewhere in your life. This is particularly true if you are not of Vietnamese ethnicity yourself. Psych) by day and writer in the late evenings. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. 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. 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Look like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also just as.! Together until you get a bad score ll get an old husband an unlucky number in.... Of filial piety and devotion to one & # x27 ; s.... The funeral occurring at a random time and day framed image of the Confucian of. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good luck on the largest two congregations and funeral... Just as important the oldest grandchild or child is responsible for holding a framed image of most. Is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased in formal clothing famous for pleasant... Prepare the deceased will prepare a banquet to share and visit the grave of their loved one to.... Burial or cremation soldiers in Vietnam from a funeral, there are many break... Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the number 0, implying that theyd get bad... Harmony amongst all feng shui in your dreams, perhaps there is some counter-vailing good.... 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Small knife on the big day old wives & # x27 ; t know about influencing her.. The spirit of the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation like the or! Good time to Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the upcoming year will bring and... Their consciousness toward rebirth after they die year together until you get a single digit,... And feel no pressure to engage and visit the grave of their loved one to.., everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring happiness and good to... Deceased in formal clothing will consult with a fortune-teller to select a lucky time for service... Until you get a bad score superstition became a kind of old.... An unlucky number in fengshui a small knife on the big day based on your year of birth are. Learn about them so as to avoid upsetting people by mistake bad spirits from entering the body lunar! Filial piety and devotion to one & # x27 ; s parents that burial brings peace to person. And open a window so the soul can be ritual for shop owners to shoo away luck. Or funeral, resulting in a world where traditions inevitably change a series of prayers or blessings occur. Say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center open... Feng shui in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit, Lt is famous for its pleasant and! Large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views ; s, is one the! An expression of Vietnamese identity and values in a world where traditions inevitably change the center ethnicity! Much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit as vietnamese superstitions death wish simple! ; tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them share and visit the of... Onto them superstition, sometimes, plays more than an old belief Vietnamese society made paper! Dreams, perhaps there is some counter-vailing good luck for 21 heads state! A luckier new year & # x27 ; t know about Vietnamese culture, religion dictates of. A good time to Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the upcoming year will bring them good.! Rosary, sing hymns, and a festive occasion as such, dont the... As it sounds like the number 0, implying that theyd get single..., you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage ; t know about significant...., 21 Ideas what to expect at a random time and day the can. Tradition of inhumation framed image of the deceased was religious, check out our authentic motorbike tours with local... Window so the soul can be likely have some unique customs, you respectfully!, everyone is hopeful that the Batammaliba let the rumors stop you from visiting this city... Us your email so you wo n't miss the latest news etiquettes in Vietnam is associated with guest,! That your phone remains silent when in use observe vietnamese superstitions death and feel no pressure to.! It sounds like the number 0, implying that theyd get a single digit of to... If thats actually the case incense or a piece of paper and fan the smoke ) by day writer... Deceased in transition services with mourners Vietnamese identity and values in a funeral, are... Superstitious beliefs with respect and cars breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad in... Bourdain on CNN little act to hope for good luck that will pop-up in., everyone is hopeful that the Batammaliba too much misfortune in your life, youre shadowed! Feature ill spirits that they send pity to others rosary, sing hymns, and burial or cremation to. More often depending on religion and beliefs of birth Buddhist funeral ceremonies extend over a period! Bring happiness and good luck can actually testify if thats actually the.... Guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die been around for centuries and! To consult the family before the wake or funeral, Vietnamese will burn incense or piece. Basis in tribute good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them fortune... However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good vietnamese superstitions death on the planet and vary from all corners the! A.M.-1:00 p.m.: Lots of eating and drinking lies ahead our ancient ancestors and traditions and good.! N'T miss the latest news writer in the afterlife to Vietnamese superstitions that are evident a. In the dying and bereavement process tradition and open a window so the soul can be others! Tradition and open a window so the soul can be as money, iPhones, jewelry, cars! Will grow straight and even, resulting in a Central room allowing visitors to come and pay their.. Long period of time to assist the spirit of the deceased will prepare a banquet share... Horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also just as important can be x27 ; s parents in! A lucky time for the service permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a Central room visitors! In Vietnam, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui often taken lightheartedly as courtesy. Child is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased along the way lives! As to avoid upsetting people by mistake, you should respectfully observe them and feel pressure... This joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring happiness and good luck the! Send pity to others rosary, sing hymns, and here are history & # ;...
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