Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. 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. Here are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions that people still believe given out by Katie Kalmusky on The Culture For many business owners, whenever they meet a bad customer or their sales are down, they can also just light up a piece of paper and send their bad luck away in the wind with the dark smoke. In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in . after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. 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. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. 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. This superstitions list includes a lot of pretty common false beliefs that many superstitious people will recognize. Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. A marching band will lead the hearse which is followed by attendees. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese culture; this is because it sounds like the . This symbolizes the pure cyclical nature of life. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. However, for Vietnamese, death-dreams are good luck! These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. . According to the law of feng shui, the door is a gateway for luck or misfortune to your home. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral usually provide gifts as a gesture of sympathy. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. 30. 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 recent years, many people, especially the younger generation, have gradually stopped relying too much on these Vietnamese superstitions, but only seeing them as reassuring things in life. 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. Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. . 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. It is believed that by doing so, youd sweep out the good luck that the new year brings. 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. Relatives . 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. In general, the mourning process and grieving etiquette reflect traditional Han Chinese beliefs about family and . 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. Vietnamese people think that it is a lucky . Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! . While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. The number 9. So, relish the nightmares! At sunrise or very early on the final day, a procession to transport the coffin to a gravesite or crematory will occur. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. 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. 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. The oldest grandchild or child is responsible for holding a framed image of the deceased along the way. Red is a symbol of luck and is used in most Vietnamese celebrations. 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. Reasons? Numbers, to most Chinese, are considered to be auspicious or inauspicious, depending on the sound of the number. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. Another way to look at it is that the saying might have come from the two species behaviors. Just like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also decided based on your year of birth. Superstition has been known to determine the conduct of the war in this ravaged country. Placement of an oil lamp under the coffin during the wake will keep the spirit warm. 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. Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. Wow, should I visit a Vietnamese family during the new year holiday? 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. 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. i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides. 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. The music chosen reflects the happier or somber (e.g. Family members that die a bad (violent) death are more likely to be a bitter spirit than those that die a good death. Avoid wearing white or black. If you had bad luck in your dreams, perhaps there is some counter-vailing good luck that will pop-up elsewhere in your life. When we take pictures of funerals or wakes, it's not to be macabre but more like a quiet reverence. 5. 6. 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. 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. In Japan and Korea, for instance, the word for the 4 and the word for death are . 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. To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among . This extends from the belief that death is an end to the body and not the spirit. In Vietnam passing a funeral or a bat is good luck. These usually occur a week after death, and then on the 49th and 100th day. In the Buddhist tradition. Yet, it is also known for a rumor: any couple who come here together will break up. Sometimes, people can also. 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. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . 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. This idea results in a Vietnam superstition which is burning a bamboo spill (a piece of paper) to drive ill spirits away. 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. A traditional funeral mass will occur in a church after the wake period. Whether you believe in superstitions and old legends or not, their cultural roots may surprise you. The parents need to help the person to be reborn in the proper place by providing a peaceful and religious environment for death. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. One of the most common superstitions is the number four. 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. 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. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. The same is true for many other Asian cultures, which share a number of linguistic similarities. According to Staticia, 14.9% of the population are practicing Buddhists while 7.3% are Roman Catholic. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. 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. The first customer of the day will determine whether it is a good or bad day for business. 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 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. 1. More. 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. This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. The Chinese Vietnamese has a similar ritual where they burn and step over charcoal. Vietnamese Superstitions. Dogs bring good luck, cats bring bad luck, Another way to look at it is that the saying might have come from the two species behaviors. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. In Vietnams daily life, there are a lot of unusual things happening that no one can explain. Learn more about, For many business owners, whenever they meet a bad customer or their sales are down, they can also just light up a piece of paper and send their bad luck away in the wind with the dark smoke. 8.7K. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. 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. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? 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. Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. 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. Do not sing in the kitchen or you'll get an old husband. As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. Check out our Vietnam travel guide or our private tours if you wish to learn more about the traditions and customs of Vietnam. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. Grieving families will consult with a fortune-teller to select a lucky time for the service. We participate in affiliate programs that allow us to earn a commission at no cost to you. There are a total of five feng shui elements: earth, air, fire, wood, and metal. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. Also, while it is customary for people to visit their friends and relatives during. Here the Vietnamese superstitions that I love and know: 1. . Depends on what youre praying for, be it health, wealth, or general fortune for yourself and your family, you will pray to different deities. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. 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. In Vietnamese superstitions, people believe that their house comes with a history and negative or positive energy of their own. It is used as a lucky color for wrapping gifts, including red envelopes. The first option is to have the oldest person in the family be the home caller; this Vietnamese superstition comes from the view that the elders have accumulated a lot of good deeds, fortune, and knowledge in their long life and can share their longevity, peacefulness, and good fortune with the whole family. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. 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. One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. You cant have a stable career without a residence. 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. So there is no wonder why Vietnamese practice a lot of these superstitions in order to make sure that the transition from the old to the new year happens as smoothly as possible. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. Therefore, buying a house is a basic need for everyone. In Vietnam, it is common for the deceased to remain at home after their death until the funeral. Remember to only eat an odd number of eggs (1, 3, 5) and crush the eggshells when youve finished. Death is just as much a part of life as is the reverse, a delicate interwoven tapestry. 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. On the other hand, a cat can bring 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. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Interment of the deceased will follow at the site of burial. Moreover, kids are often taught not to use chopsticks to hit their rice bowls. Ancient history and rich local folklore have led to certain Vietnamese superstitions, most of which are related to bringing good luck or avoiding bad omens. In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. Basically, maternity is a sensitive period when the mother must be careful for the sake of the baby's safety. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. 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. When the platoon was in the jungle, Tim O'brien talked about the following regarding the platoon. Displays of wealth are not appropriate during the funeral. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. If you only serve one or two dishes, it will be considered bad. The following guide outlines everything you need to know about Vietnamese funeral traditions. Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. It is also about turning to a new page and having a fresh start for a new year. It is common for Vietnamese memorial services to include an altar where friends and family can lay offerings of flowers, fruit, candles and incense. 4. Every action, gesture, on this day must be paid close attention to. As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. Leaving a small knife on the stomach of the deceased to prevent bad spirits from entering the body. 2. During the wake period (usually three days), loved ones will keep constant vigil over the body. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. Nowadays, though, a lot of dentists are recommending that these baby teeth are preserved. Flowers, money, or food are commonly shared with grieving families. 2). They will appreciate the opportunity to be open about their beliefs without offending you. These are now considered a part of our dining etiquette, but they stem from traditional superstitions. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui. 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. 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. Reporter Christine Nguyen looks at her grandmother . Vietnamese superstitions, meanwhile, are vast and deeply embedded in people's psyche. 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. Tet is more than just family gatherings,sticky rice cakes, and Lixi(lucky money). The body must be completely cold before it can be washed and prepared so as not to disrupt this process. The Vietnamese strongly believe that a person should die at home and be surrounded by his family. However, a house, a building is such a valuable property that can be taken as granted. Family members will burn fake items made of paper such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and cars. If you wish to learn more about Vietnamese Tt traditions and customs, check out our previous article here. 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. 2). You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. Superstitions After Birth of Newborn Baby in Vietnam In Vietnamese customs, there are a lot of superstitions related to the newborn baby after birth. In an area as diverse as Corona and Riverside, we meet with families from many cultures and faith traditions and have deep knowledge of a variety of ethnicities and spiritual . Low denominations of money are thrown onto the ground during the funeral procession. 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. 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. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. 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. This idea results in a. When visiting Vietnam, many are our travellers and friends who wonder "Why Vietnamese people burn colored papers?". The casket is placed in a central room allowing visitors to come and pay their respects. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. In Chinese culture, the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 4 lies in the way it sounds. 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. 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. However, the owner can change that by changing the arrangement of their home and surrounding environment according to feng shui to harness lucky energy. There are few conventions around floral gifts as with western funerals. 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. This is just for Buddhists though. Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. 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. We're not kidding. 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