5 Fruits to Display, 3 Fruits to Absolutely Avoid for Lunar New Year of the Horse

When arranging a tray of five fruits for the traditional Vietnamese New Year offering called "cúng Tết," it is important to be mindful of the fruits that are considered appropriate and inappropriate to include.

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Fruit tray on Tet is a Vietnamese tradition. Depending on the region, the fruit tray is varied with different types of fruits. A full fruit tray on Tet represents the gratitude and wishes for peace and prosperity of the homeowners, becoming a beautiful custom that has been preserved through many generations.

5 fruits to display on Tet Tray of Giap Thin

Banana: The shape of a banana is very distinctive, resembling an inverted hand, symbolizing protection and care. According to feng shui, bananas represent luck and abundance. Therefore, offering bananas on the altar of the Wealth God will attract wealth and luck in all aspects of life.

Hand of Buddha: The outer shape of the Buddha’s Hand fruit resembles the hand of the Buddha. Therefore, this fruit is used by many people to offer to the Wealth God, with the desire to always be protected and peaceful through the ups and downs of life.

Peach: Peaches are known as the symbol of endurance and immortality. In addition, this fruit is also one of the feng shui symbols that many people love. It represents luck and advancement. Besides, it is also mentioned as a symbol of love and marriage.

Oranges, tangerines, and pomelos are fruits that are not only beautiful in color but also known for their fragrant smell. They symbolize success and development in all aspects. It is believed that these fruits will bring luck and prosperity to the homeowners. At the same time, the aroma of these fruits can dispel bad luck and bring blessings to the family.

Grapes: Grapes are a symbol of vitality, growth, and represent success. According to feng shui, a bunch of grapes is a symbol that resolves issues related to childbirth. Grapes are used in the fruit tray of the Wealth God with the hope of family harmony and good health for children.

3 fruits not to be included in the Tet fruit tray

Odd-shaped fruits

Fruits that are deformed, scarred, thorny, shriveled, or damaged should not be included in the Tet fruit tray. These fruits carry negative energy and should not be offered to ancestors as a sign of disrespect from descendants.

Ground-lying fruits

Fruits that grow close to the ground or are related to vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, bitter melons, pineapples, etc., are rarely chosen to be arranged on the offering tray.

The fruits used for offering must meet the requirements of being round and even in shape, with smooth and shiny skin because they carry good energy, symbolizing smoothness and convenience. In addition, round represents the sky (round sky, square earth), expressing the sincere heart of the offeror.

Fruits with a spicy or bitter taste

When choosing fruits for the Tet fruit tray, absolutely do not include fruits that are spicy, bitter, or too sour. There is a belief that “as above so below,” offering overly bitter or spicy fruits to the deities will not bring them enjoyment.

Therefore, it is recommended to avoid sour, bitter, and spicy fruits for offering to ancestors or arranging on the Tet offering tray.

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Frequently asked questions

The five lucky fruits for the Lunar New Year are apples, oranges, peaches, plums, and pomegranates. These fruits are chosen for their symbolic meanings and are believed to bring good fortune, prosperity, and health for the coming year.

Apples symbolize peace, happiness, and good luck. Their red color is also associated with joy and prosperity in Chinese culture.

Oranges represent wealth and good fortune. They are often given as gifts during the Lunar New Year as a way to wish others a prosperous and abundant year ahead.

Peaches are symbolic of longevity and immortality, while plums represent resilience and the ability to overcome challenges. Both fruits are believed to bring good health and a long life.

Pomegranates are associated with fertility, abundance, and good luck. They are said to bring blessings and prosperity to those who display them during the Lunar New Year.

Yes, it is best to avoid displaying pears, persimmons, and bananas during the Lunar New Year of the Horse. These fruits are believed to bring bad luck and are associated with negative symbolism.

Pears are believed to bring tears and sadness due to their association with mourning and grief in some Asian cultures.

Persimmons, due to their orange color, can be associated with gold and wealth, but they are also linked to bad luck and financial loss in some beliefs. Bananas, on the other hand, are avoided because their shape and color can resemble ‘growing old’ and ‘departure’ in Chinese culture, which are not considered auspicious during festive occasions.