Explore

Buy Salt at the Beginning of the Year, Buy Lime at the End of the Year, Why Buy Salt?

Salt is a traditional item purchased at the beginning of the year as it is believed to bring luck and prosperity, as the saying goes "what you buy is what you receive".

Administrator

11 February, 2024

208

When going to pagodas or temples at the beginning of the year, many people are invited to buy salt packages but do not really understand why they buy salt at the beginning of the year and lime at the end of the year.

The meaning of the tradition ‘buying salt at the beginning of the year’

People often buy salt early in the morning on the first day of the Lunar New Year with the intention of having a flavorful and abundant year. On the last day of the year, people used to buy lime to whitewash their houses and gates in the hope of avoiding bad luck, or implying the act of building and renovating their homes.

The tradition of buying salt at the beginning of the year in Vietnam has been passed down through many generations. On the first day of the new year, people will buy salt to bring home, this is called “lucky salt” to welcome luck and wish for a new year full of abundance and warmth.

According to the ancients, salt is a salty substance, which has the effect of driving away negative energy, preventing evil spirits, and bringing good fortune to the family. Besides, salt also has significance in relationships, bringing flavor and harmony to family members, creating harmony between husband and wife, and between children.

The tradition of buying salt at the beginning of the year is also a way for parents to remind their children to “be frugal”, to save money for “buying lime at the end of the year” to build houses.

After bringing salt home, it can be divided into small plastic bags or fabric bags, red envelopes… to make it beautiful and convenient to store. Business people can place bags of salt at their counter to seek good luck in wealth, and when traveling, they can place bags of salt in their suitcases for a safe journey.