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. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. Semi-formal black colored clothing is appropriate attire for a Vietnamese funeral. 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. 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. Can I Take Photos at a Vietnamese Funeral? Remove a Corpse From a House Feet-first. 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. On the other hand, a cat can bring bad luck. As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. Family members will wash and prepare the body before dressing the deceased in white clothing or semi-formal attire. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. Therefore, it's bad luck to carry a corpse home. 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. Here are 13 superstitions concerning death and dying that persist today and explanations of their possible origins. 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. 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. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. 2). They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Check out our Vietnam travel guide or our private tours if you wish to learn more about the traditions and customs of Vietnam. We're not kidding. Pregnant women and people who have had a recent death in the family are considered bearers of bad luck. And when things are not going well, t va, also called t phong long is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. 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. They will appreciate the opportunity to be open about their beliefs without offending you. 6. Following the interment, family and guests will return to the home for a meal or funeral reception. 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. 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. Your luck for the entire year depends on the first visitor. 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. 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. 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 contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. Every year after a Vietnamese person's death, their children and grandchildren make a feast. So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes have a dragonfly bite their belly buttons, telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. 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. 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! This is done to signify respect and to show mourning. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. This superstitions list includes a lot of pretty common false beliefs that many superstitious people will recognize. Here are what you should know about Vietnamese superstitions so that you can cultivate your own luck too. Compared to the western practice of one funeral mass, Vietnamese Catholics hold many services for the deceased. Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. Displays of wealth are not appropriate during the funeral. Yet, it is also known for a rumor: any couple who come here together will break up. on the first day of the lunar new year. That is why there are many Vietnamese superstitions forpregnant women. But for Ian Rose the hairy mole is a lucky . The main Catholic traditions observed in a Vietnamese funeral include: Whether a Vietnamese person has this belief is influenced by their religion. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. calculated by adding the last two digits of your birth year together until you get a single digit. If the deceased will be cremated, then this is likely to be a final aspect of the service. 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. 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. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide, 9. to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. Here we focus on the largest two congregations and their funeral rites. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. Moreover, the architecture must ensure harmony amongst all feng shui details. On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. 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. 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. However, you are best placed to avoid red flowers as this color is reserved for happy occasions such as the new year. Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. Meanwhile, cats areyou know, cats. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. Tet is more than just family gatherings,sticky rice cakes, and Lixi(lucky money). 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. 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 . 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. The traditional fortune-telling includes Tu vi (a combination of reading your star sign, lunar calendar birthday, gender, and some previous events in the past to tell your future), palm reading, and zodiac signs reading. North and South Vietnam have different approaches). Swimming is a useful and, in many situations, a life-saving skill thats best learnt at a young age. tragic circumstances) nature of the death. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. You can see more of these irrational beliefs inchopsticks-using manners and gift-giving etiquettes in Vietnam. Japanese, and Korean languages, the number sounds like the word for "death". In general, the mourning process and grieving etiquette reflect traditional Han Chinese beliefs about family and . Relatives . On the other hand, the meowing of cats sounds similar to ngho, which means poor in Vietnamese. 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. Dogs are known for their absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8. 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. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. Find more hotels to stay in Vietnam below: Ho Chi Minh Private Tours:Saigon Shore ExcursionsMotorbike City ToursSaigon Food Tours, i Tour Vietnam - Private Tours Ltd. Outside Vietnam +84 986188801Inside Vietnam 0986188801 (English)info@itourvn.com. 7. Choosing a lucky wedding date is probably the most important step in Chinese wedding planning. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. 2. You may wonder how the residence looks without being unclustered. The word for the number 4 sounds much like the word for death. My aunts superstitions still remain incredibly significant to her identity, shaping the way she lives life each day and permanently influencing her beliefs. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. The parents need to help the person to be reborn in the proper place by providing a peaceful and religious environment for death. It is unclear where the rumor comes from. These papers are known as "votive papers . , check out our authentic motorbike tours with professional local guides! Hold the door open. The Vietnamese believe when you see one that means someone, especially those who are close to you, is going to die. This idea results in a. 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 allows the soul to find its way home. A traditional funeral mass will occur in a church after the wake period. Gold coins and rice are placed in the mouth of the deceased during the preparation of the body. 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. The Vietnamese hold special dinners to commemorate the 49 th and 100 th days of mourning as well as the first anniversary of their beloved family members' deaths. 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. is a time when we bid goodbye to a lunar year and usher in the next. 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. Ideas About Death and Dying in Vietnam. As such, dont let the rumors stop you from visiting this beautiful city with your significant other. This following article may be the best answer for the question What souvenir to buy in Vietnam?, Address: No.27 To Vinh Dien Street, Khuong Trung Ward, Thanh Xuan District, Hanoi, Vietnam. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. , telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. While you should refrain from cheerful behavior, this is consistent with any western funeral service. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. The death body is cleaned with alcohol or water, removed from the old clothes and worn in the death clothes. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. 2). The following are some examples: After a death, windows were closed so the deceased's soul could not fly out. meaning wealth, prosperity. And when things are not going well. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. 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. There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. A lot of people in Vietnam would shy away from taking group pictures in which there are three people in the frame. Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. Writer David Lamb mentions it in an article about superstition in Vietnam, stating that Vietnamese folklore is a mixture Buddhism, local tradition . 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. 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