You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. Hold the door open. A friendly or enemy commander may refuse to attack or may alter his strategy if the stars are not in his favor. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed. 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 your element is water, you should go for black or blue in combination with white or silver, which is associated with the purity of water, and avoid brown or yellow tone because water and earth are conflicting elements. Avoid wearing white or black. Despite the fact that there is disapproval of superstitious practices from the government, most Vietnamese still have strong deep-rooted beliefs in superstitions that were set by our ancestors long ago. Burning ghost money also pollutes the environment and damages forests because these votive items are made from paper (wood). Interment of the deceased will follow at the site of burial. O'brien shows how American soldiers order their experience by superstition rather than by rationality. Vietnamese believe a person's soul wanders after death. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. Every culture has its superstitions. Do not sing in the kitchen or you'll get an old husband. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide here. For example, in the year of the dog, if your zodiac sign is a horse, a dog, or a tiger, you will bound to be in big trouble. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. Superstition has been known to determine the conduct of the war in this ravaged country. 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. If you only serve one or two dishes, it will be considered bad. The number 9. There are a total of five feng shui elements: earth, air, fire, wood, and metal. 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. If the lotus is unavailable then any white or yellow flower (if the deceased is elderly) will be appropriate. Moreover, kids are often taught not to use chopsticks to hit their rice bowls. They pray and give offerings to ancestors to show respect, something beautiful and healthy. By the time a boy is old enough to marry, for example, he may not be able to wed the girl he loves because she was born in the wrong year. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? The majority of Buddhists are cremated rather than buried. It is unclear where the rumor comes from. 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. While offerings will be much appreciated, do not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be welcome enough. Our Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory staff considers it an honor to help families pay tribute to their loved ones after they die. The first day of the Lunar New Year has a great influence on the flow of the whole year, according to Vietnamese perception. Meaning of White Headband at Vietnamese Funerals, Vietnamese Funeral Etiquette What to Do & Not to Do, What do I Say? One popular dish during these special meals would be bun bo, a hearty beef and noodle soup, perhaps to sustain families for futures without their loved ones who have died. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. Depends on what youre praying for, be it health, wealth, or general fortune for yourself and your family, you will pray to different deities. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. What superstitions do you secretly believe? We participate in affiliate programs that allow us to earn a commission at no cost to you. 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 . Do you find yourself throwing spilled salt over your shoulder without even stopping to consider why? Generally, Vietnamese good luck symbols are of Chinese origin. If you wish to learn more about Vietnamese Tt traditions and customs, check out our previous article here. It is part of the Confucian principle of filial piety and devotion to one's parents. Children wearing hats indoors will not grow tall, Every parent wants their child to grow up strong and tall, and thus many tell their. 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. 5. Incense will be lit on a daily basis in tribute. Considered "windows to the soul," many superstitions involve the eyes of the deceased, such as placing coins on the eyelids of . Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. 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. Particularly, the first guest visiting the house is believed to bring luck to the host family and this Vietnam superstition has been standing for a very long time. 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 Vietnamese strongly believe that a person should die at home and be surrounded by his family. Here are history's 13 most enduring superstitions. 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. The Chinese Vietnamese has a similar ritual where they burn and step over charcoal. Owls are bad omens. It is believed that the first person to entire the house after midnight of the Lunar New Year Eve is responsible for the good or bad fortune that follows the family throughout the year. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. 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 same is true for many other Asian cultures, which share a number of linguistic similarities. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.: Lots of eating and drinking lies ahead. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral may choose to offer flowers, food, or verbal condolences to the grieving. Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. This does not impact our reviews as our values are to remain objective. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. When we take pictures of funerals or wakes, it's not to be macabre but more like a quiet reverence. 30. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students. 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. This symbolizes the pure cyclical nature of life. List. Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good luck! For example, people with the zodiac sign of the mouse should visit homeowners with signs of buffalo, dragon, monkey, and if people born in the year of the snake wouldn't be welcomed to visit a family whose head of the family is born in the year of the mouse. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. Your luck for the entire year depends on the first visitor. Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. Any of the Four Symbols. 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. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. However, a house, a building is such a valuable property that can be taken as granted. It is important to learn about them so as to avoid upsetting people by mistake. Psych) by day and writer in the late evenings. 7. Culinary artist Pham Thi Anh Tuyet is known as a culinary "ambassador" who is always dedicated to bringing Vietnamese traditions to the world. The death anniversary is an expression of Vietnamese identity and values in a world where traditions inevitably change. We're not kidding. The first person who enters the house on the first day of Vietnamese New Year can bring good or bad luck to that household. Vietnamese Funeral Costume. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Once all clock hands hit number 12, the old year ends, a new one comes, the person is expected to enter the gate of the house, send best wishes to the host, and just remain for a short time. There are two main ways that the Vietnamese decide who will be the first person to set foot in their house on New Year's Eve. Red is considered a lucky color because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the color red. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. Phm Cng Sn, (1996) a Vietnamese anthropologist, said, "Death is not the end but is the final stage of one life to be transformed into another." He also asserted that death rituals provide the bereaved with a chance to fulfill their filial obligations to the deceased. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. Burning ghost money is a popular superstitions in Vietnam - Source: phunuvietnam.vn. The most gifted funeral flower in Vietnamese culture is the white lotus. While you should refrain from using your phone for leisure during the service, it is acceptable to take photos and videos during the funeral. The family of the deceased will prepare a banquet to share and visit the grave of their loved one to pray. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. For more insights on, check our guide on, Conclusion on What You Should Know About Vietnamese Superstitions, Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. They come as they please and leave as they see fit, so their presence is often linked to loss and misfortune. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. 1. Vietnamese funerals have complex rituals, to say the least: gold coins and rice in the deceased person's mouth, finger and toe nails clipped and packaged, and, weirdest of all, a vigilant guard for the coffin so that cats and dogs don't jump over the body and bring the deceased back to life. Embalming and organ donation are acceptable in the Catholic faith. 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. Then, placing the shirt back into the coffin to complete the ritual. Burning incense is a way to respect the gods and the deceased relatives. Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years . 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. So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes. Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. On the other hand, a cat can bring bad luck. Losing your temper or shouting will bring bad luck for the year. Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. The biggest festival of the year in Vietnam, Tt is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. 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. Mourners who cry too hard may pull the soul so they should exercise restraint or risk a ghost remaining on earth. This practice is known as Dot phonglong. Like most other Eastern countries, Vietnam also has its own beliefs, culture, and religions, which have been formed and developed over the centuries. More distant relatives such as grandchildren may wear yellow headbands. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. Therefore, it's bad luck to carry a corpse home. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. This practice is known as Dot phong. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. AboutContactPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions. Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. 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. 1. Check here for more exotic Vietnamese dishes. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. Shedding tears onto the body can be a bad omen. Family members must consult the Chinese Almanac to determine the best date to hold the Chinese funeral ceremony. 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. Moreover, the architecture must ensure harmony amongst all feng shui details. The arrangement of an altar. 4. 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. calculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. Then you might be a superstitious person. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. The main Buddhist customs you may observe at a Vietnamese funeral include: You will find that many of the funeral customs in the Catholic faith overlap with those of Buddhism. 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. In Vietnams daily life, there are a lot of unusual things happening that no one can explain. As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Reasons? A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among . Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. 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? However, the owner can change that by changing the arrangement of their home and surrounding environment according to feng shui to harness lucky energy. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. The superstition about the casket proves that while family members are honored and taken care of even after death a highly important concept in Vietnamese culture it is also necessary to watch the casket and guard the deceased for the living s sake. Due to this, expectant mums are encouraged to avoid funerals as they risk putting an omen on the grieving. This extends from the belief that loved ones will receive these items in the afterlife. 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. Image credit: @ng10_11. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. In Vietnamese superstitions, people believe that their house comes with a history and negative or positive energy of their own. There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. A traditional funeral mass will occur in a church after the wake period. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. These somewhat uncustomary views or actions arise from cultural beliefs, with some including: It is important to note that superstitions vary between religions and regions (e.g. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. 5:00-7:00 p.m.: Guests are on their way. This is just for Buddhists though. In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. Vietnamese funerals. Those are for good luck. Family members will wash and prepare the body before dressing the deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire. Except for blood, probably. Today, both dogs and cats are well-loved by thousands of pet owners. In the Buddhist tradition. Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese culture; this is because it sounds like the . Read more about, Depends on what youre praying for, be it health, wealth, or general fortune for yourself and your family, you will pray to different deities. This is done to signify respect and to show mourning. Balut - fertilized duck egg embryo - also known as Hot vit lon, is a popular food Vietnamese use to get rid of bad fortune. Here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions. Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. The following are some popular superstitions in Vietnam that can amaze you. Family members will burn fake items made of paper such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and cars. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. 1. 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. 2). Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. Burning votive paper. 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. 9:00-11:00 p.m.: And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. Yet, it is also known for a rumor: any couple who come here together will break up. The first stage, "Nhap Quan" (entering the coffin), consists of the dead body being cleaned with alcohol or water ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. Evidently, these superstitions reveal a great deal about Vietnamese culture and thought. They are even concerned with who should first set foot in their house on . 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. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. . 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. There are no unique expectations of conduct at a Vietnamese wake and funeral. Compared to the western practice of one funeral mass, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased. Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. Vietnamese funeral costume is white clothes with white headband. 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. Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. Not having sufficient knowledge, faith or trust in scientific methods, a Vietnamese often relies on his prejudices, emotions and the word of his forefathers to guide his daily life. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. The sellers often do this when a customer comes and leaves without buying anything first thing in the morning as they believe the customer has brought bad spirits to the shop. Vietnamese Superstitions - Beliefs in Afterlife and Spiritual Beings, Vietnamese usually offer foods and burn ghost money and votive items like houses, clothes, and cars for the death so that they can eat, spend, use and continue their afterlife in another world. Pregnant women and people who have had a recent death in the family are considered bearers of bad luck. As with many other Asian countries, rice is an indispensable part of a typical Vietnamese meal, to the point where we commonly refer to having lunch or dinner as n cm, or to eat rice. And as you eat rice, there are certain rules that must be followed. tragic circumstances) nature of the death. 2. Here are what you should know about Vietnamese superstitions so that you can cultivate your own luck too. 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. Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors . You don't dispute facts"(118). By firing a piece of paper or some incense and flinching to anywhere perceived to be haunted while murmuring spells, the folk thinks they are saved from being affected. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. Do you stop each day at 11:11 to make a wish? There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. In Vietnam, a death anniversary is viewed as a celebration of life and a festive occasion. . Everyone should be on their best behavior during Tet towards neighbors, friends and family. As an old Vietnamese saying put it, a dog coming into your house signifies good fortune. The second way is decided by the compatibility of the guest and the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three days or more. Vietnamese Sympathy Message. On the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout Asia, many of the years are considered incompatible. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. The following are some examples: After a death, windows were closed so the deceased's soul could not fly out. 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. This superstition in Vietnam is taken quite seriously, so be sure not to show up uninvited to people's houses on the first day of Tet or set foot in their home after New Year's Eveif your age is not compatible. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. Funeral Preparation. Those following Buddhism (14.9% of the population) believe in reincarnation, however, the majority of the country is atheist and do not have firm views on this. However, it is a custom of the country that people dont clean their homes during the time because sweeping dirt means throwing away fortune. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Preparing the Deceased's Body Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. Wedding Dates: Lucky and Unlucky Months. to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral Customs (49 days). Many of those in Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, revolve around people's physical features. Dogs are known for their absolute loyalty and love toward their hoomans, and thus their arrival is associated with positive things coming. 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. 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. The belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. This represents the belief that the body will one day return to the earth in line with the cycle of life. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. This belief dictates death planning for the Vietnamese. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. Breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad luck. The purpose of this study was to begin to explore cultural variations in response to the process of dying and grieving among four Asian American populations--Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and Filipino. Some people possess "good spirits" which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. Couples going to Lt together will break up. Many people are carried to the hospital if they are sick. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" establishes many traditional beliefs Tibetan Buddhists have . Check out our Vietnam travel guide or our private tours if you wish to learn more about the traditions and customs of Vietnam. On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Be careful. i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides. On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. If the pot doesn't break, it means there'll be another death in the family soon. More. 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