Vietnamese funeral costume is white clothes with white headband. 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. 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 . Some Vietnamese Superstitions during Tet Holidays, Xongdat- also known as the first home caller or first foot, 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 Eve, 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. 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. They will usually adorn white clothing or shrouds as well. 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. 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. Burning ghost money also pollutes the environment and damages forests because these votive items are made from paper (wood). 7:00-9:00 p.m.: More guests are on their way. Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years . The following are some popular superstitions in Vietnam that can amaze you. Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. For more insights on, check our guide onwhat to expect in Vietnamese Tet. Superstitious beliefs are everywhere on the planet and vary from all corners of the world. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. The funeral occurring at a random time and day. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. The belief that souls of the deceased live on after death and a funeral is critical to entering the afterlife. You may take them as seriously (or not) as you wish! Vietnamese Funeral Costume. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . Following the interment, family and guests will return to the home for a meal or funeral reception. The first day of the Vietnamese New Year is a very important day for most traditional families. 7. In Vietnam, a death anniversary is viewed as a celebration of life and a festive occasion. 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. Money. It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. Just as people from other countries have their own tales of tooth fairies, we Vietnamese also have our own way to deal with our baby teeth when they come off. 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. Of course, this is nothing more than an old belief. Do not sing in the kitchen or you'll get an old husband. Some people just see them as things to remember in life, but there are people who follow them as if they were the ultimate law of the universe. Thus certain traditions are observed to ward off bad luck. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. Pregnancy and birth customs section cover all customs of Vietnamese when theey having babies and other related topics to pregnancy and birth. No sweeping the house or taking out the trash on the first day of the lunar new year. People, especially the female, will go to fortune-tellers (thay boi) and see their luck in the relationship with family members, love life, and work or business progress in the next year. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. 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. This may appear non-scientific and silly to an outsider, yet most Chinese adhere to this belief. In fact, folks collect them in a corner of the house so that the shelter is still neat while the luck is saved. Ideas About Death and Dying in Vietnam. . Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. on the first day of the lunar new year. These papers are known as "votive papers . Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. 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. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. That way, the permanent teeth will grow straight and even, resulting in a beautiful smile. Red is a symbol of luck and is used in most Vietnamese celebrations. Every parent wants their child to grow up strong and tall, and thus many tell their kids not to wear hats indoors. Then, placing the shirt back into the coffin to complete the ritual. If you only serve one or two dishes, it will be considered bad. Today, there are many who break with tradition and open a window so the soul can be . And there are more because every person, with their unique background, occupation, and experience will have their own superstition and ritual related to it. Vietnam's massive library of idioms also teaches important values and life lessons: to work hard, to love one another, to remember one's roots. The Vietnamese, especially the young ones, also other kinds of fortune-telling from foreign countries like the horoscope and tarot. In death, the physical body disappears, and from it comes a spirit." "A butterfly was formerly an ugly earthbound caterpillar that transforms itself into something beautiful and capable of flying. Here are 13 Thai superstitions that locals are familiar with - some of you might even be guilty of using it to scare little kids! They are even concerned with who should first set foot in their house on . Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. 2. As Vietnamese funerals will likely have some unique customs, you should respectfully observe them and feel no pressure to engage. Every culture has its superstitions. Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. In the S-shaped country, pregnant women need to pay close attention to a series of taboos, some of which have scientific bases, some dont. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Hey your article is pretty cool. Hence, there are some things, some actions that they consider good and of course, some are seen as bad, that need avoiding. Red represents happiness. In Vietnams daily life, there are a lot of unusual things happening that no one can explain. The number four gets its bad name because it sounds like "death" in Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai. Generally, Vietnamese good luck symbols are of Chinese origin. Death and Dying in Vietnamese Culture. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are 10 common superstitions in Vietnam that every Vietnamese person has been told at least once. You can see more of these irrational beliefs in. 5. The second way is decided by the compatibility of the guest and the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs. Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. 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. 41 Surprisingly Fun Funeral Ideas To Celebrate A Life Lived, 21 Ideas What To Get Someone Whose Dog Died. Funeral Preparation. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. You don't dispute facts"(118). 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. North and South Vietnam have different approaches). 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. 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. More distant relatives such as grandchildren may wear yellow headbands. 1. 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. The death anniversary is an expression of Vietnamese identity and values in a world where traditions inevitably change. 6. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. 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. Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors . As such, the proper dining etiquette is to fill the bowl only two-thirds of the way, using at least two scoops of rice. 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. More. Although historians are unsure of the origins of the middle person in a photograph of three meeting his maker first, this superstition seems to feature heavily in Asian superstition [source: Jensen]. While you should refrain from cheerful behavior, this is consistent with any western funeral service. 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. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. to catch up, those who just lost a family member will refrain from doing so. 3:00-5:00 p.m.: Be careful. I'm visiting my Vietnamese friend's family and it is very important to know about this, interesting information about the vietnamese culture. The music chosen reflects the happier or somber (e.g. Still, when it comes to their childrens well-being, its understandable that a lot of parents would rather be safe than sorry. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. Red is considered a lucky color because demons and evil spirits of legends were afraid of the color red. Do you stop each day at 11:11 to make a wish? Some believe the ringing sound attracts hungry ghosts. 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. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. The traditions associated with the 49 days after death in Buddhism derive from "The Tibetan Book of the Dead," also known as the "Bardo Thodol.". Therefore, buying a house is a basic need for everyone. Reasons? Unfortunately, this number has many unlucky meanings, and people believe it brings misfortune and bad luck. Superstitions in Vietnam. Wow, should I visit a Vietnamese family during the new year holiday? It is superstitious that cleaning should be finished before the new year's eve. 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. Thats when the Vietnamese superstitions emerged as a resort to human mentality. These Vietnamese superstitions originated from two folk tales. Vietnamese formal meals have lots of dishes, big and small, all served together For a big formal meal, with many guests, the standard is to have at least 4-5 dishes. A possible explanation for this belief is that the barking of dogs is often interpreted as gu gu in Vietnamese, which sounds similar to giu giu, where giu means rich. 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. It is during this time that they share food and toast to celebrate the deceaseds life. On the other hand, the meowing of cats sounds similar to ngho, which means poor in Vietnamese. The majority of Buddhists are cremated rather than buried. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. Pregnant women and people who have had a recent death in the family are considered bearers of bad luck. Reporter Christine Nguyen looks at her grandmother . Superstitions After Birth of Newborn Baby in Vietnam In Vietnamese customs, there are a lot of superstitions related to the newborn baby after birth. A large number of superstitions in Vietnam reflect the countrys rich history and diverse culture. Here we focus on the largest two congregations and their funeral rites. This is a list of signs believed to bring bad luck according to superstitions. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. Thus certain traditions are observed to ward off bad luck. Burning ghost money is a popular superstitions in Vietnam - Source: phunuvietnam.vn. Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. 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. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. bowls of rice, fruit, and tea). Stay updated with the latest news of the COVID-19 situation in Vietnam and information for traveling to Vietnam. Considered "windows to the soul," many superstitions involve the eyes of the deceased, such as placing coins on the eyelids of . There is a balance as fine as a silk thread that has long been revered by us. 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. Read more here. 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). These somewhat uncustomary views or actions arise from cultural beliefs, with some including: Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. Vietnamese Sympathy Message. Nothing happened to me. Settle down with a house and a job is an immortal saying of the old Vietnamese. Still, while you can easily find people online who claim that they themselves have fallen victims to this curse, even more will tell you that theyre still perfectly happy with their partners despite having been to Lt together. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. And when things are not going well. t va a common ritual for shop owners to shoo away bad luck. 4. Where there is limited space or for most Vietnamese living in western societies, the family will engage a funeral home to assist with proceedings. 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 death is just one thing that occurs for a person to be reborn somewhere else. Meanwhile, cats areyou know, cats. Filipinos have folk beliefs for many aspects of life, but you'll be surprised at the sheer number of superstitions for funerals and wakes! In the past, a Vietnamese funeral could last up to a month or more. 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. For example, pregnant moms must refuse to attend funerals because these are the gathering places of miasma which can threaten the life of the fetus. 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. Sometimes, people can also t va after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. Old wives' tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them. 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. The main Catholic traditions observed in a Vietnamese funeral include: Whether a Vietnamese person has this belief is influenced by their religion. Meaning of White Headband at Vietnamese Funerals, Vietnamese Funeral Etiquette What to Do & Not to Do, What do I Say? In contrast, there are those who feature ill spirits that they send pity to others. Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. The deceased is viewed with similar reverence to the living and so the same norms for taking pictures apply. If you purchase at an early stage, the child will leave you. The door is one of the most important aspects of feng shui in your home. "The Tibetan Book of the Dead" establishes many traditional beliefs Tibetan Buddhists have . Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . Family members will bathe and prepare the deceased in formal clothing. Necklace, wrist, ring, whatever. While offerings will be much appreciated, do not feel pressured to give anything as your presence will be welcome enough. This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. These gi days occur yearly or more often depending on religion and beliefs. after returning from a funeral to prevent the gloomy aura from clinging onto them. The body must be completely cold before it can be washed and prepared so as not to disrupt this process. Those are for good luck. The owl is a sign of bad luck. This includes a picture of the deceased along with flowers, incense, and food offerings (e.g. 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. Burning votive paper. This is one of the very few Vietnamese superstitions which can pose a threat to the environment. 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. 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. . 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. Moreover, too many paper items burned can result in the possibility of fire. It is unclear where the rumor comes from. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Regardless of customs, the focus of the service is to respectfully farewell a loved one. In Vietnam passing a funeral or a bat is good luck. 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. Some people possess "good spirits" which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. Read more about Religions in Vietnam here. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide here. 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! The Vietnamese strongly believe that a person should die at home and be surrounded by his family. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are. To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. During the wake period (usually three days), loved ones will keep constant vigil over the body. Numbers, to most Chinese, are considered to be auspicious or inauspicious, depending on the sound of the number. In Vietnam, reading. It is also about turning to a new page and having a fresh start for a new year. Superstition, sometimes, plays more than a passing role in Vietnamese society. The following guide outlines everything you need to know about Vietnamese funeral traditions. Check out our, This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. Embalming and organ donation are acceptable in the Catholic faith. As an old Vietnamese saying put it, a dog coming into your house signifies good fortune. Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck These usually occur a week after death, and then on the 49th and 100th day. 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. The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students. Check here for more exotic Vietnamese dishes. Vietnamese people think that it is a lucky . 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. When in doubt, observe how the family behaves during the funeral and be guided by them. #4 means death, #13 means bad luck (buildings rarely have floor 4 & 13 because of this reason), #7 is our lucky number (that's why slot machines' biggest jackpot is if you get 7's in a row), Tet, or the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, is an incredibly superstitious time for Vietnamese families. 2). 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. Buyer must ponder days and nights before making a decision. 1. tragic circumstances) nature of the death. You cant have a stable career without a residence. Like most other Eastern countries, Vietnam also has its own beliefs, culture, and religions, which have been formed and developed over the centuries. 5:00-7:00 p.m.: Guests are on their way. 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. i Tour Vietnam | Top-rated private Ho Chi Minh City tours and Vietnam travel guides. 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! 8.7K. 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. Low denominations of money are thrown onto the ground during the funeral procession. The belief may have to do with an idea of luck and "balance": good luck somewhere is balanced by bad luck elsehwere. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. 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. In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. 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. Wedding Dates: Lucky and Unlucky Months. 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. Preparing the Deceased's Body Due to this, expectant mums are encouraged to avoid funerals as they risk putting an omen on the grieving. Most Chinese people believe that burial brings peace to the deceased, so they follow the tradition of inhumation. 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. is a common ritual that they often perform to shoo bad luck off. Everyone should be on their best behavior during Tet towards neighbors, friends and family. This extends from the belief that loved ones will receive these items in the afterlife. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. Vietnamese also believe that a good combination of digits in their motorbike license plate or phone number can bring them good luck. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. 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). In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. 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. Occurring at a random time and day means poor in Vietnamese after death and a festive.! Should die at home and be guided by them because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity whereas... The clothes, some others just wear white pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck or taking out the on. Farewell a loved one, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers the soul be! Critical to entering the afterlife culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, the. 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