Why Do People Prefer to Buy Odd-Numbered Hands of Worship Bananas Despite the High Price? Experts Reveal Surprising Insights!

The banana bunch is an indispensable part of the Tet holiday for people in Northern Vietnam. Thus, from the 24th or 25th of the twelfth lunar month onwards, bananas are sold abundantly in local markets and fruit stalls.

According to the spiritual beliefs of the Northern people, a banana bunch symbolizes family reunion and harmony. The upward-facing bananas resemble hands collecting sunshine and dew, resulting in sweet fruits that signify good luck and protection.

Despite the abundant supply, many individuals still prefer to select banana bunches with an odd number of fruits, even though the price can be quite high, ranging from hundreds of thousands of dong, depending on the quantity. So, how should one choose the best banana bunch for worship, and why are these odd-numbered bananas so popular despite their high price? Read on to discover more.

How to Select the Best Banana Bunch for Tet Holiday Worship:

To ensure the banana bunch stays fresh and beautiful throughout the Tet holiday, it is crucial to choose ripe but still green bananas with evenly sized and curved fruits. This ensures they can “hug” the other types of fruits placed within the bunch. Avoid selecting banana bunches that are too open, with wide gaps between the fruits, as they may not look aesthetically pleasing and could make it difficult to clip the kumquats.

Note: Refrain from choosing bananas that are about to ripen or turn yellow. The heat from the incense can cause these bananas to ripen and drop quickly, ruining the entire fruit tray. Instead, opt for green, unripe bananas, and with the warmth of the incense, they will gradually ripen over the week of Tet.

Additionally, the fruit tray will typically include five types of fruits, each representing one of the five elements of the earth according to the Five Elements theory: Metal (white), Wood (green), Water (black), Fire (red), and Earth (yellow). Therefore, the green color of the bananas symbolizes the Wood element. Worshiping yellow bananas would not convey the same significance.

Why Do People Prefer to Worship Banana Bunches with an Odd Number of Fruits?

Apart from considering the shape and color of the bananas, Northern Vietnamese also pay close attention to the number of fruits in a bunch. Banana bunches with an odd number of fruits are the most popular and, consequently, tend to be much more expensive than those with an even number. The larger the bunch and the higher the number of odd-numbered fruits, the pricier it becomes.

According to T.S, Feng Shui expert Nguyen Ngoan, even numbers are considered yin (negative), while odd numbers are yang (positive). Since bananas are considered yin, we need the yang energy to balance it out. This is why banana bunches with odd-numbered fruits are usually sold at a higher price compared to those with even-numbered fruits.

Cultural researcher, PGS.TS Nguyen Thanh Tu, also added that Vietnamese people’s thinking favors odd numbers, as they symbolize reproduction. Whether it is burning incense or arranging flowers, odd numbers are always chosen. “When burning incense, one must avoid even numbers. Three sticks of incense are used to worship Heaven, Earth, and Humans, while five sticks represent the five virtues of humanity: humanity, ritual, righteousness, wisdom, and trust. The thinking of the people is to favor odd numbers, as they represent reproduction.”

Perhaps this explains why banana bunches with odd-numbered fruits are often chosen for worship.

This article is for reference only.