A rosary is placed in the persons hands. 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. 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. Reporter Christine Nguyen looks at her grandmother . Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in fengshui. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. As an old Vietnamese saying put it, a dog coming into your house signifies good fortune. However, the owner can change that by changing the arrangement of their home and surrounding environment according to feng shui to harness lucky energy. 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 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. Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. Here are 13 Thai superstitions that locals are familiar with - some of you might even be guilty of using it to scare little kids! There are a total of five feng shui elements: earth, air, fire, wood, and metal. 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. 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. Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck They will appreciate the opportunity to be open about their beliefs without offending you. The event joins generations together in a commitment that extends beyond death. 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. Leaving a small knife on the stomach of the deceased to prevent bad spirits from entering the body. The science originated in China but soon imported in Vietnam and became popular even until now. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide, 9. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. 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. 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. Then you might be a superstitious person. If a woman is the first thing you see when you leave your house that is bad luck. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. 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. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. Quite silly, actually. Superstitions are more than persistent irrationality. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. It was believed that all these features were well-known to the Vietnamese and that the card was a potent symbol that would strike fear into the enemy ranks. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. Reasons? 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Be careful. 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. Many also choose to arrange the display as a wreath so that it can be draped over the coffin. 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. This is a list of signs believed to bring bad luck according to superstitions. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. What Do You Give at a Vietnamese Funeral? This is just for Buddhists though. On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. 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. Gold coins and rice are placed in the mouth of the deceased during the preparation of the body. Here are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions that people still believe given out by Katie Kalmusky on The Culture In Vietnam, it is common for the deceased to remain at home after their death until the funeral. 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. . Meanwhile, cats areyou know, cats. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. Especially red envelope money. Red is a symbol of luck and is used in most Vietnamese celebrations. Quite silly, actually. In order to ensure a prosperous and happy new year, so many aspects must be taken care of, such as making sure that even the first person to enter the house is in a perfectly good moodnot the easiest task! 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. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. Vietnam has many customs involving superstitious activities. There are also other superstitions in Vietnam to wear off bad luck like wearing lucky charms made from jade. 6. 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. White and black clothing are associated with death and grieving, so people will opt for colorful clothes befitting of celebration. The family of the deceased will prepare a banquet to share and visit the grave of their loved one to pray. The majority of Buddhists are cremated rather than buried. 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. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). Of course, this is nothing more than an old belief. 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. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. Balut - fertilized duck egg embryo - also known as Hot vit lon, is a popular food Vietnamese use to get rid of bad fortune. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. Settle down with a house and a job is an immortal saying of the old Vietnamese. 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 It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. In Chinese culture, the reason behind the superstition surrounding the number 4 lies in the way it sounds. It is also about turning to a new page and having a fresh start for a new year. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. In Vietnam passing a funeral or a bat is good luck. 2013-2022 i Tour Vietnam | All Rights Reserved | contact: info@itourvn.com, MUI NE, DA LAT & NHA TRANG (6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS). Drop us your email so you won't miss the latest news. Funeral Preparation. Incense will be lit on a daily basis in tribute. Here are history's 13 most enduring superstitions. 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 feng shui law, your personal lucky number is. Reasons? Low denominations of money are thrown onto the ground during the funeral procession. They contain stem cells that can be used to fix damage caused by cancer or other diseases later on in the kids life should he or she need it. Breaking a bottle of fish sauce is bad luck. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. In the past, a Vietnamese funeral could last up to a month or more. In Vietnam, a death anniversary is viewed as a celebration of life and a festive occasion. 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. 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. 2. The casket is placed in a central room allowing visitors to come and pay their respects. In fact, folks collect them in a corner of the house so that the shelter is still neat while the luck is saved. These Vietnamese superstitions originated from two folk tales. Filipinos have folk beliefs for many aspects of life, but you'll be surprised at the sheer number of superstitions for funerals and wakes! Youve probably heard sayings such as 13 is an unlucky number or dont walk under a ladder or youll face bad luck before. bowls of rice, fruit, and tea). 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. to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. This symbolizes the pure cyclical nature of life. Another bizarre superstition in Vietnam is that it is not advisable to prepare clothes or baby stuff before eighth-month pregnancy. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. Family members must consult the Chinese Almanac to determine the best date to hold the Chinese funeral ceremony. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed. 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. While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. According to Vietnamese superstitions, whenever you seem to have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit. Other taboos include wearing black or white, as these colors are associated with death and funeral; borrowing money during this time is also frowned upon. The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. The second way is decided by the compatibility of the guest and the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs. Those are for good luck. Many Buddhists believe that the soul is transitioning out of the body for up to eight hours after death. Both the paint color as well as furniture inside the house should be compatible with the owners elements. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. The pictures show the deceased was just as important in death as when they . This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . 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. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. 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. Very superstitious. This extends from the belief that death is an end to the body and not the spirit. Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral Customs (49 days). Sometimes, people can also. 7. This is particularly true if you are not of Vietnamese ethnicity yourself. Wow, should I visit a Vietnamese family during the new year holiday? The Vietnamese, especially the young ones, also other kinds of fortune-telling from foreign countries like the horoscope and tarot. Here we focus on the largest two congregations and their funeral rites. With many years of experience, she shares about the "range" of Vietnamese . Embalming, burial, organ donation, and medical donation of the body are acceptable in the Buddhist faith. It is unclear how this belief came to be and none can actually testify if thats actually the case. Vietnamese believe that by cleaning the house during Tet, especially the first 3 days, they will sweep the good lucks and prosperity out of their home. 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. In the Buddhist tradition. 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. Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. . One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. 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. Beliefs and religions are spiritual needs of a nation, which have existed and will exist with the nation and cannot be completely eliminated. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. 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. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. 5. 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. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. Their origins may surprise you. According to Staticia, 14.9% of the population are practicing Buddhists while 7.3% are Roman Catholic. 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. 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. Flowers, money, or food are commonly shared with grieving families. , telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. If you had bad luck in your dreams, perhaps there is some counter-vailing good luck that will pop-up elsewhere in your life. The biggest festival of the year in Vietnam. that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. If the lotus is unavailable then any white or yellow flower (if the deceased is elderly) will be appropriate. And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. The first day of the Vietnamese New Year is a very important day for most traditional families. 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. During visitation, menstruating women should not light incense as it is considered to be bad luck. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. 5. 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. Remember to only eat an odd number of eggs (1, 3, 5) and crush the eggshells when youve finished. Losing your temper or shouting will bring bad luck for the year. Money. The following are some examples: After a death, windows were closed so the deceased's soul could not fly out. 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. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. My aunts superstitions still remain incredibly significant to her identity, shaping the way she lives life each day and permanently influencing her beliefs. 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