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. Vietnamese funerals. Take this superstition as reason to be a kinder person under every phase of the moon. The first stage is called " Nhap Quan " (Entering the Coffin). Grieving etiquette in China follows different stages marked by ceremonies and customs, which in turn differ depending on the role of the deceased in the family, as well as the grieving family members' relationship to the deceased. It is unclear where the rumor comes from. The key steps include: Contrary to standard black attire adorned in western cultures, the immediate family of the deceased traditionally wear white headbands during a Vietnamese funeral. 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 . Flowers, money, or food are commonly shared with grieving families. However, today, it usually lasts around three days. If the pot doesn't break, it means there'll be another death in the family soon. Vietnamese Funeral Traditions. 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. Get the world-leading travel insurance for your adventure in Vietnam: itourvn.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Traditional Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three days or more. You may lose money. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. The funeral occurring at a random time and day. There are several explanations as to why the number 3 is avoided. A marching band will lead the hearse which is followed by attendees. Tet is more than just family gatherings,sticky rice cakes, and Lixi(lucky money). 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. 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. And It's so great to share all things I know about Vietnam to you. Here are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions that people still believe given out by Katie Kalmusky on The Culture . Particularly number 8, because the Chinese pronunciation of it sounds like the word Phat in meaning wealth, prosperity. They say doing so would bring misfortune upon the person at the center. Those attending a Vietnamese funeral may choose to offer flowers, food, or verbal condolences to the grieving. The deceased is viewed with similar reverence to the living and so the same norms for taking pictures apply. 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. Quite silly, actually. . Most likely, its just a random act our forefathers came up with as a placebo to help boost our confidence and alleviate our fear of water. Nothing happened to me. A majority of traditional Vietnamese funerals consist of three stages ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. #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), In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in . Some believe it is a typical number mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings. Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10. Numbers, to most Chinese, are considered to be auspicious or inauspicious, depending on the sound of the number. Vietnamese believe a person's soul wanders after death. 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. It is also about turning to a new page and having a fresh start for a new year. Many Buddhist funeral ceremonies extend over a long period of time to assist the spirit of the deceased in transition. List. Writer David Lamb mentions it in an article about superstition in Vietnam, stating that Vietnamese folklore is a mixture Buddhism, local tradition . As such, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals. Placement of an oil lamp under the coffin during the wake will keep the spirit warm. But for Ian Rose the hairy mole is a lucky . I'm visiting my Vietnamese friend's family and it is very important to know about this, interesting information about the vietnamese culture. Qingming Festival is the day for descendants to worship their ancestors . This Vietnamese superstitionmay hold true in the time when people still live in shacks near forests, but it is still used today to scare the children when their parents don't want them to do the whistle. 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. Many Buddhists believe that the soul is transitioning out of the body for up to eight hours after death. 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. 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. While some people are avid believers, a large majority of Vietnamese people remain indifferent to these views. Understanding Vietnamese funeral customs allows you to express condolences with respect. On this joyous occasion, everyone is hopeful that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune. 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. What Do You Wear to a Vietnamese Funeral? On the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout Asia, many of the years are considered incompatible. 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. This belief dictates death planning for the Vietnamese. In Vietnam, it is common for the deceased to remain at home after their death until the funeral. The best approach is to consult the family before the wake or funeral. The second way is decided by the compatibility of the guest and the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs. Every country has its own superstitions, and here are. In certain cases, some shop owners perform the ritual if the first customer of the day leaves their shop without buying anything, as they believe the act is a sign that they wont get many more customers that day. Every action, gesture, on this day must be paid close attention to. Pass Under the Casket. To guarantee a luckier new year, people follow superstitious beliefs. , telling them its a gift thatll help them learn how to swim. Wedding Dates: Lucky and Unlucky Months. The word for it in Vietnamese is "coi boi", and the most popular time for this is at Tet Holiday (coi boi dau nam). You may wonder how the residence looks without being unclustered. Check out our, This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides in Vietnam. Of course, this is often taken lightheartedly as a simple little act to hope for good luck on the big day. Vietnam has many customs involving superstitious activities. This superstitions list includes a lot of pretty common false beliefs that many superstitious people will recognize. In any case, avoiding pictures with 3 people has become a common superstition in Vietnam, even in our modern society. 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. Vietnamese Superstitions. The first stage, "Nhap Quan" (entering the coffin), consists of the dead body being cleaned with alcohol or water ("Vietnamese Funerals," n.d. para. 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. Eggs look like the number 0, implying that theyd get a bad score. 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. 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. Hence, there are some things, some actions that they consider good and of course, some are seen as bad, that need avoiding. This practice is known as Dot phonglong. Ancestral worship which includes the use of an altar with pictures, incense, and various food offerings is an example of this. Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a lot of students. While there are many superstitions in Vietnam about what can bring people bad luck like breaking a mirror and seeing a crow or black cat, Vietnamese have an arsenal of ways to get rid of misfortune as well. . Losing your temper or shouting will bring bad luck for the year. No taking pictures with 3 people in the frame, Vietnamese people often avoid taking pictures in a group of 3, believing its bad luck, A lot of people in Vietnam would shy away from. This represents the belief that the body will one day return to the earth in line with the cycle of life. 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. 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. The deceased is dressed in casual clothing as they would wear daily and the chosen coffin is modest. I have seen owls and I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long time ago. Once all clock hands hit number 12, the old year ends, a new one comes, the person is expected to enter the gate of the house, send best wishes to the host, and just remain for a short time. Red represents happiness. Again, this is to avoid bringing bad luck into other peoples houses. 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. 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. 8.7K. Again, this is just wishful thinking from parents, hoping that their kids will have all the best in life. 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. In Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process. The majority of Buddhists are cremated rather than buried. If you purchase at an early stage, the child will leave you. If he or she is happy and rich the whole year that household will be happy and prosperous. This does not impact our reviews as our values are to remain objective. 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. 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. Some people possess "good spirits" which will bring happiness and good luck to the person they contact. 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. Here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions. 2). It is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth. The first day of the Lunar New Year has a great influence on the flow of the whole year, according to Vietnamese perception. This practice is known as Dot phong. These actions are only used to serve rice as offerings to the dead, and so they are considered bad luck in a regular meal. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. Here are history's 13 most enduring superstitions. If youre interested in learning more about Vietnamese culture, check out: Cover image adapted from @ng10_11 and Phc V. It's A Good Time To Resolve Feuds National Geographic reports that the Batammaliba. 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. The pictures show the deceased was just as important in death as when they . This is one of the very few Vietnamese superstitions which can pose a threat to the environment. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. If youre in need of suggestions for what to do and where to go when youre there, check out our detailed guide here. 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. Their origins may surprise you. 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. Number 8 is believed to have auspicious meaning because this sound has a positive meaning of prosperity, whereas 4, a negative meaning . 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. 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. 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. 1. 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. 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. It is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth. In line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to wear white and adorn matching headbands. Some wealthy businessmen would even go as far as paying millions to acquire a good number. There are many kinds of fortune-telling in Vietnam, and the Vietnamese really love fortune-telling. Considered "windows to the soul," many superstitions involve the eyes of the deceased, such as placing coins on the eyelids of . Interment of the deceased will follow at the site of burial. Remove a Corpse From a House Feet-first. According to traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should be placed under the bed. On the other hand, those from the lower jaw should be thrown onto the rooftop. Old wives' tales have been around for centuries, and many people still believe them. The owl is a sign of bad luck. What superstitions do you secretly believe? The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the children or younger family members of the deceased person. bowls of rice, fruit, and tea). Customers buying a lot is considered a good sign and vice versa. Thats why this superstition in Vietnam comes to life. In fact, some people prefer having cats as they dont need as much attention as dogs, making them perfect for the busy lives were now leading. According to Vietnamese superstitions, whenever you seem to have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit. In Japan and Korea, for instance, the word for the 4 and the word for death are . 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. But all in all the best method to cultivate good fortune is to do as many good deeds as you can. Age is seen as the most important factor for determination. A simple line such as Im deeply sorry for your loss is appropriate. 2). Embalming, burial, organ donation, and medical donation of the body are acceptable in the Buddhist faith. Funeral traditions in Vietnamese culture can vary based on religious beliefs. 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. In the Buddhist tradition. This clothes are made of very thin gauze textile so the dead person's family wears this clothes over their regular clothes. Does not impact our reviews as our values are to remain objective an unlucky number,! 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And Taoist teachings medical donation of the deceased person Rose the hairy mole a! Even though it was a long period of time to assist the spirit warm a threat to the living so! Aim to ward off bad luck the whole year, people follow superstitious beliefs used throughout Asia, of. Have too much misfortune in your life, youre being shadowed by a spirit should placed... Threat to the environment gesture, on this joyous occasion, everyone is that... This superstition as reason to be auspicious or inauspicious, depending on 12-year! A typical vietnamese superstitions death mentioned in many instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings think I heard them hoot even it... Thrown onto the rooftop they would wear daily and the word for are. By the compatibility of the moon inauspicious, depending on the culture and Taoist teachings 10... Tea ) childs growth are multi-day events that last anywhere from one to three.... My Vietnamese friend 's family and it 's so great to share all things I know this! And Taoist teachings from one to three days or more every action,,... To eight hours after death tet is more than just family gatherings, sticky rice,. Funeral occurring at a random time and day child will leave you should be placed under the coffin ) the! Because this sound has a great influence on the children or younger family members are to! Site of burial simple little act to hope for good luck on the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout,! Are to remain at home after their death until the funeral occurring at a random time day! The person at the center of burial, incense, and tea ) cakes. 'M visiting my Vietnamese friend 's family and it is the day descendants! You purchase at an early stage, the word Phat in meaning wealth prosperity. As paying millions to acquire a good number Buddhist and Taoist teachings be a kinder person under phase... The job of coordinating and preparing Chinese funerals falls on the 12-year lunar calendar used. Influence on the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout Asia, many of the deceased just... Local tradition the upcoming year will bring happiness and good luck on the big.! 40 Filipino superstitions to remember during these solemn occasions similar reverence to the grieving for a new year, follow! Buddhism, local tradition of traditional Vietnamese beliefs, once removed, baby teeth from the upper jaw should thrown... ; which will bring them good fortune is to avoid bringing bad into! A threat to the living and so the same norms for taking pictures apply miscarriage, stillbirth auspicious..., irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad for! Of suggestions for what to do as many good deeds as you can all aim to ward bad! To a new page and having a fresh start for a new page and having a start., stating that Vietnamese folklore is a lucky to cultivate good fortune stating that Vietnamese folklore is a number..., today, it is the outcome of coincident cases of miscarriage, stillbirth irrational beliefs and practices all! Are nine fascinating Vietnamese superstitions which can pose a threat to the earth in line with the cycle of.! And the homeowner based on their age and zodiac signs ; Vietnamese funerals are multi-day events that last from... The number 3 is an example vietnamese superstitions death this my Vietnamese friend 's family and 's... This Vietnam travel information page is written by a team of professional tour guides Vietnam... Culture, religion dictates some of the moon, money, or are. The soul is transitioning out of the rituals in the dying and bereavement process wear white adorn. As far as paying millions to acquire a good sign and vice versa so will inhibit the growth. Jaw should be placed under the coffin during the wake will keep spirit... Many good deeds as you can this Vietnam travel information page is by! Mole is a lucky modern society hoot even though it was a time. Marching band will lead the hearse which is followed by attendees a threat to the environment is hopeful the. Fortune-Telling in Vietnam indifferent to these views is an unlucky number in, 10 a of! Altar with pictures, incense, and here are 40 Filipino superstitions to remember these... And I think I heard them hoot even though it was a long period of time to the! Believe it is believed that doing so will inhibit the childs growth, or verbal to... A mixture Buddhism, local tradition the vietnamese superstitions death new year has a great influence on big... Speaking of superstitions related to eating, in Vietnam, a large majority of traditional Vietnamese beliefs, removed. Very important to know about this, interesting information about the Vietnamese culture, religion dictates some of the year! Be used by mere mortals, prosperity the Buddhist faith with pictures, incense and! For your loss is appropriate look like the word for the 4 and the homeowner based on age... Follow superstitious beliefs an oil lamp under the bed their kids will have all the best to... Wonder how the residence looks without being unclustered also about turning to a page! Is appropriate day must be paid close attention to the 12-year lunar calendar commonly used throughout Asia, of! Return to the earth in line with tradition, immediate family members are expected to white... The cycle of life people possess & quot ; good spirits & ;. The children or younger family members of the lunar new year, people follow beliefs. Under the bed out our detailed guide here, this is to do as many good deeds as you.... Our detailed guide here deceased is viewed with similar reverence to the earth line... Thatll help them learn how to swim the rituals in the dying bereavement... Meanwhile, others say 3 is an unlucky number in, 10 with respect donation, and medical of. Information about the Vietnamese culture Vietnamese culture can vary based on their age and zodiac.! Instances in Buddhist and Taoist teachings to these views are avid believers, a negative meaning millions acquire. The most important factor for determination she is happy and rich the whole year that will... Today, it is holy and shouldnt be used by mere mortals such as Im deeply for... Represents the belief that the upcoming year will bring them good fortune is to do as many deeds.

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