Fortune-telling at the beginning of the year has become a long-standing tradition for Vietnamese people, who hope for a more prosperous and successful new year than the previous one. Fortune-telling is a way to learn about one’s fortunes and misfortunes in the coming year, so that one can know how to avoid any potential pitfalls.
1 What is Fortune-telling?
In the past, fortune-telling was merely a game of chance, meant to bring moments of joy to people during the new year. However, in our current beliefs, it has become a spiritual activity that helps people connect with supernatural beings to foresee their fortunes and misfortunes in the coming year. There are two types of fortune-telling: regular and medicinal.
New Year Fortune-telling
- Regular Fortune-telling (also known as General Linh Sam): Regular fortune-telling consists of 100 leaves, numbered from 1 to 100. It reveals the divine will on matters such as weddings, illnesses, financial matters, personal safety, family matters, planning, career advancement, travel, legal disputes, and theft for the upcoming year.
- Medicinal Fortune-telling (also known as Left General Huang Xian Liang Fang): Medicinal fortune-telling also includes 100 leaves, marked from 1 to 100, and is only in the color yellow. Instead of predicting good or bad fortunes, it reveals the divine will on various illnesses one might encounter.
Fortune-telling requires a certain procedure. One must kneel or sit on a mat, hold the fortune-telling bottle to their forehead, and begin to pray. Then, they shake the bottle until a fortune slip falls out. This slip is given to the person at the fortune-telling place, who will then interpret the fortune.
Procedure for Fortune-telling
2 Popular Types of Fortune-telling
Saint Fortune-telling
Saint fortune-telling is the luckiest of the 100 fortune slips. The best days to do this are on the 1st day of the lunar month, the 15th day, and the 10th day of the Lunar New Year, and it should only be done once a day. Additionally, the homeowner should be calm, have clean hands and feet, and be dressed neatly for the fortune to come true.
Saint Fortune-telling
Avalokitesvara Fortune-telling
Casting the Avalokitesvara fortune is a method of seeking the saint’s blessings to alleviate anxiety about future events. People often visit temples on the Lunar New Year, the 15th day of the first lunar month, to draw fortunes and seek guidance from Buddha. Fortunes are divided into five types: Superior Superior, Superior Superior, Middle, Lower, and Very Lower.
Avalokitesvara Fortune-telling
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva Fortune-telling
The custom of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva fortune-telling originated in ancient temples dedicated to Avalokitesvara. The person seeking the fortune must be calm, dressed neatly, have their hands folded in respect, and sincerely pray for what they desire before drawing the fortune. It is important to note that a person can only draw a fortune once a day.
Casting the Kong Ming Fortune
Before casting the Kong Ming fortune, one must be calm and sincere in their prayers. Leading an honest life is also important for the fortune to come true. Each Kong Ming fortune holds a mystery, offering guidance on matters such as wealth, career, and health. Performing good deeds, accumulating virtues, and sincerely seeking a fortune will lead to positive outcomes and fulfillment in all aspects of life.
Casting the Kong Ming fortune involves using dice or coins to predict one’s future. A set consists of 384 fortunes, each with a different meaning hidden within a profound poem. Note: Only 6 fortunes are drawn to obtain a result, and it can only be done once a day.
The practice of fortune-telling is not a form of superstition. It is simply a way for people to reflect and seek advice to ease their minds and reduce anxiety. We hope that this article has helped you understand more about the tradition of fortune-telling. We wish you and your family peace and prosperity, and may all your wishes come true. For more articles on fortune-telling, please follow us!
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