So for kids who are afraid of going into deep water, Vietnamese parents will sometimes. Comes with fortune-telling, there have to be remedies if the result of reading your destiny is bad. Inhumation, the Main Funeral Style in China. You might notice that in a funeral, there are people who wear white headband with the clothes, some others just wear white . According to Staticia, 14.9% of the population are practicing Buddhists while 7.3% are Roman Catholic. 9:00-11:00 p.m.: Many Buddhists believe that the soul is transitioning out of the body for up to eight hours after death. 6. Tet or Vietnamese New Year's, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnam. Due to this. 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. AboutContactPrivacy PolicyTerms & Conditions. Pregnancy is viewed as causing bad luck. You don't dispute facts"(118). In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in . 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. Knowing what to expect at a Vietnamese funeral is largely influenced by religion. 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! In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. 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. . 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. . I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. As a courtesy, ensure that your phone remains silent when in use. Red represents happiness. This allows the soul to find its way home. In Vietnamese culture, numbers like 1, 6, 7, 8, 9 are thought of as lucky numbers. 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. Traditionally, blood sacrifices and magic words made spirits happy. Pass Under the Casket. 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). Embalming, burial, organ donation, and medical donation of the body are acceptable in the Buddhist faith. Here are what you should know about Vietnamese superstitions so that you can cultivate your own luck too. Placement of an oil lamp under the coffin during the wake will keep the spirit warm. 1:00-3:00 p.m.: You'll be safe and sound for whatever plans lie ahead of you. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. A series of prayers or blessings will occur during this time if the deceased was religious. 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 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 . Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. Four is unlucky as it sounds like the word for death or suffering. 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. To chase away bad luck, Vietnamese will burn incense or a piece of paper and fan the smoke. 8.7K. This usually includes a wake, mass or prayer service, and burial or cremation. When we take pictures of funerals or wakes, it's not to be macabre but more like a quiet reverence. Dogs are known for their absolute loyalty and love toward their, 8. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. Filipinos have folk beliefs for many aspects of life, but you'll be surprised at the sheer number of superstitions for funerals and wakes! Superstition and belief are still large parts of daily Vietnamese life. The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors . Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. A tourist hotspot of South Central Vietnam, Lt is famous for its pleasant atmosphere and stunning mountainous views. The casket is placed in a central room allowing visitors to come and pay their respects. What Do You Give at a Vietnamese Funeral? A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. Tibetan Buddhists use this book to help guide their consciousness toward rebirth after they die. Vietnamese Buddhist Funeral Customs (49 days). This is because I wasn't born in Vietnam and I didn't know about . Just like the horoscope or zodiac sign, your element is also decided based on your year of birth. More Vietnamese are now being cremated after the. This may appear non-scientific and silly to an outsider, yet most Chinese adhere to this belief. 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. If the pot doesn't break, it means there'll be another death in the family soon. 1. Tet in Vietnam is associated with guest visiting, eating, eveloping, which means there is a lot of waste. White and black clothing are associated with death and grieving, so people will opt for colorful clothes befitting of celebration. 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. At sunrise or very early on the final day, a procession to transport the coffin to a gravesite or crematory will occur. 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. 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. 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. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. 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. Death is just as much a part of life as is the reverse, a delicate interwoven tapestry. To this end, key informants and focus group interviews were conducted with members of these ethnic groups, and significant differences among . Reporter Christine Nguyen looks at her grandmother . Another bizarre superstition in Vietnam is that it is not advisable to prepare clothes or baby stuff before eighth-month pregnancy. 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. Don't swear or fight. 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. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. 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. While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. Whistle at night will attract snakes. 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. However, there are many people who are completely delusional and blindly believe in these things, harming not only themselves but also those around them. It is unclear how this belief came to be and none can actually testify if thats actually the case. If he or she is happy and rich the whole year that household will be happy and prosperous. The Vietnamese strongly believe that a person should die at home and be surrounded by his family. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. Incense will be lit on a daily basis in tribute. Older Vietnamese people may prefer to be at home at the end of life with . Sometimes, people can also. I don't believe in this superstition. Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in meaning wealth, prosperity. Buyer must ponder days and nights before making a decision. There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. They connect us to our ancient ancestors and traditions. 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. When visiting Vietnam, many are our travellers and friends who wonder "Why Vietnamese people burn colored papers?". 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. However, many feng shui masters have said that 9 is the luckiest number, it represents completion, fulfillment, and achievement. Many superstitions surround pregnant women in Vietnamese and wider Asian culture. There are many Vietnamese superstitions that are evident following a death. Below are some common examples of Vietnamese superstitions. If you visit a shop early in the morning in Vietnam, its considered common courtesy to buy something even if you dont really need it it neednt be a big purchase, a small item will do. As we were readying the food and setting up the table, she asked if I knew any Vietnamese superstitions regarding the New Year, and proceeded to enlighten me. The arrangement of an altar. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should be placed under the bed. 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. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. Family members hold constant vigil over the body. 2. Gold coins and rice are placed in the mouth of the deceased during the preparation of the body. Culinary artist Pham Thi Anh Tuyet is known as a culinary "ambassador" who is always dedicated to bringing Vietnamese traditions to the world. Nowadays, though, a lot of dentists are recommending that these baby teeth are preserved. 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. 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 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. The rites consist of making offerings of fruits, food, wine, votive paper, lighting candles and burning incense before praying in front of the altar. 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. However, it is a custom of the country that people dont clean their homes during the time because sweeping dirt means throwing away fortune. Beliefs and religions are spiritual needs of a nation, which have existed and will exist with the nation and cannot be completely eliminated. 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. Moreover, too many paper items burned can result in the possibility of fire. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Superstitions After Birth of Newborn Baby in Vietnam In Vietnamese customs, there are a lot of superstitions related to the newborn baby after birth. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral usually provide gifts as a gesture of sympathy. 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. This is particularly true if you are not of Vietnamese ethnicity yourself. While you should refrain from using your phone for leisure during the service, it is acceptable to take photos and videos during the funeral. O'brien shows how American soldiers order their experience by superstition rather than by rationality. It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). This is a list of signs believed to bring bad luck according to superstitions. The owl is a sign of bad luck. Breaking a Mirror The ancient Romans believed that human life renewed itself in 7-year cycles (mirroring the cycles of the moon). Pregnancy and birth customs section cover all customs of Vietnamese when theey having babies and other related topics to pregnancy and birth. Psych) by day and writer in the late evenings. Unfortunately, this number has many unlucky meanings, and people believe it brings misfortune and bad luck. 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. 6. If you only serve one or two dishes, it will be considered bad. 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. 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. 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. One of the Vietnamese superstitions of buying a house is judging the home's direction. More distant relatives such as grandchildren may wear yellow headbands. Most funeral rites are performed in the presence of the body. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. Meanwhile, cats areyou know, cats. To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. One story has it that an American commander always consulted a Vietnamese astrologer before planning the deployment of his troops. In general, it can be viewed as offensive or bad luck for an expectant mother to attend a Vietnamese funeral. Anything red. 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. Do not sing in the kitchen or you'll get an old husband. Vietnam has many customs involving superstitious activities. In the Buddhist tradition. Some people possess good spirits which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. This clothes are made of very thin gauze textile so the dead person's family wears this clothes over their regular clothes. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. 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. The reason for this tradition can be explained by the name of the dish itself. Family members will burn fake items made of paper such as money, iPhones, jewelry, and cars. If you are a man, subtract 10 from the final result, and add 5 if you are a woman. This is just for Buddhists though. Do you stop each day at 11:11 to make a wish? Embalming and organ donation are acceptable in the Catholic faith. The word for the number 4 sounds much like the word for death. Superstitions in Vietnam. 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. Vietnamese people believe that it is a bad misfortune to die away from home, but also bad luck if they carry a corpse home. While you should refrain from cheerful behavior, this is consistent with any western funeral service. While beliefs vary between individuals, the most common etiquette standards are outlined below. As an old Vietnamese saying put it, a dog coming into your house signifies good fortune. Many Buddhist funeral ceremonies extend over a long period of time to assist the spirit of the deceased in transition. The parents need to help the person to be reborn in the proper place by providing a peaceful and religious environment for death. 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. The rest of the country is divided between atheism and smaller religious groups. A bowl of rice filled to the brim is said to be for the dead and should not be served to the living 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. It is during this time that they share food and toast to celebrate the deceaseds life. Is unlucky as it sounds like the word for the number 4 much... 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