The Tet holiday is a time-honored tradition in Vietnam, and certain fruits are considered essential to the celebration. It is believed that specific fruits can bring good fortune and prosperity during this special time of year. Let’s explore the lucky fruits of the Vietnamese Tet holiday and uncover their symbolic meanings.
1 Watermelon for Luck and Prosperity
The vibrant red color of watermelons is believed to symbolize prosperity and good fortune for the new year. According to traditional beliefs, a well-chosen watermelon should be deep red, sweet, and juicy, foretelling a year filled with wonderful blessings. On the other hand, a pale or hollow watermelon is considered less auspicious and may not bring as much luck and wealth. Therefore, when selecting a watermelon for Tet, it is important to pay attention to its color and quality to ensure a fortunate start to the year.
Watermelon for Luck and Prosperity
2 Oranges, Tangerines, and Kumquats: A Sunny Symbol of Wealth
In Vietnamese culture, oranges, tangerines, and kumquats are believed to resemble the sun and are associated with the color of gold. According to feng shui principles, these citrus fruits bring positive energy, good fortune, and wealth to the family.
Additionally, displaying pots of kumquat trees inside the house is considered auspicious. The lush green leaves and vibrant fruits symbolize thriving finances for the entire family.
Oranges, Tangerines, and Kumquats: A Sunny Symbol of Wealth
For Reference: Simple at-home guides
3 Figs for Abundance and Happiness
Figs are small fruits that are highly sought after during Tet. Their presence during the new year symbolizes the wish for a complete family, with all members gathering to celebrate the holiday together. Additionally, figs represent abundance in both material and spiritual aspects, bringing a sense of fullness and happiness to life.
Figs for Abundance and Happiness
4 Mangoes for Sufficiency and Affluence
While some may hesitate to display mangoes during Tet due to their name sounding similar to the word “spend” in Vietnamese, this fruit actually carries a positive message. According to folk beliefs, mangoes signify a year of comfortable spending without financial worries. They bring happiness, warmth, and the promise of a year where one can spend freely without scarcity.
Mangoes for Sufficiency and Affluence
5 Coconuts for Health and Peace
In Southern Vietnam, coconuts are an integral part of the Tet celebration. They are displayed as part of the fruit offerings and later consumed by the family. During the new year countdown, the coconut is cracked open, and family members drink the coconut water, wishing for peace and good health in the coming year.
Coconuts for Health and Peace
6 Papayas for Prosperity
True to their name, papayas symbolize the wish for abundance and prosperity. Their presence in the fruit display conveys the desire for a year filled with financial success and abundance, without any scarcity.
Papayas for Prosperity
7 Pineapples for Fragrance, Wealth, and Nobility
Known as “khóm” in Southern Vietnam and “thơm” in the North, pineapples are believed to bring good luck and a sweet fragrance to the home during Tet. The lush, healthy leaves and blooming crown of a pineapple symbolize thriving business ventures and the wish for a prosperous and noble life. The abundant leaves also represent the hope for a large and thriving family.
Pineapples for Fragrance, Wealth, and Nobility
The Vietnamese Tet holiday is a time for families to offer prayers to their ancestors and deities, wishing for a prosperous and peaceful year ahead. Therefore, it is important to carefully select the fruits for the holiday display, seeking advice from elders or traditional sources. By choosing the right fruits, families hope to invite good fortune and avoid any potential misfortunes in the coming year.
– Apple: Peace and harmony
– Orange/Mandarin: Abundance of wealth and good luck
– Peach: Longevity and immortality
– Pomelo/Grapefruit: Unity and family bonds
– Coconut: Purity and good deeds
– Dragon fruit: Good fortune and prosperity
– Lychee: Strong family bonds and harmony
How to Accelerate the Ripening of Green Mangoes
Are you a passionate mango lover? Here’s a tip you won’t want to miss – just 24 hours is all it takes to turn unripe mangoes into deliciously sweet treats! Find out now the secret of ripening mangoes in no time.
Cooking Confidently: Stir-Frying Watermelon Rind with Mushrooms
Craving something different for your next meal? Then why not give this savory watermelon dish a go? Paired deliciously with rice, this is sure to become a new favorite. Check out the recipe now!
9 Gorgeous Ways to Decorate a Mid-Autumn Festival Table
With the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival comes a long-time beloved activity – breaking the tray! Every year, children look forward to this exciting event, and what makes it even more fun is the brightly-colored, fruit-laden trays that make for an unforgettable childhood memory. If you’re interested in creating your own beautiful Mid-Autumn tray this year, then let us show you some of our favorite decorations!
Which is the better choice: long or round mangoes when buying?
When it comes to buying mangoes, choosing between long ones or round ones is definitely a question that many people have asked, because there are so many varieties of mangoes and each one looks equally tempting.
This Tet, try a new way to carve watermelon – just a gentle tap and seeds pour out!
With just a few knife strokes, you no longer have to worry about eating and spitting out the seeds. This is also a safe way for you to let your child enjoy watermelon without the fear of choking on the seeds.
