Is it Advisable to Combine Two Banana Bunches for Ancestor Worship?

Why you shouldn’t combine two banana bunches for offering?

In the spiritual world of feng shui, when preparing offerings, it is crucial to maintain the balance of yin and yang, the five elements, and odd numbers, which represent growth and development. While combining two banana bunches may create a more aesthetically pleasing, larger, and grander display, it disregards spiritual beliefs. Merging two bunches of fruit is considered inharmonious in feng shui, creating a stagnant, yin energy that does not bring good fortune. Among even numbers, the most avoided are the numbers two and four.

So, is it acceptable to combine three or five banana bunches? In reality, grouping such large quantities may result in a cumbersome and unstable arrangement, prone to falling apart during the offering ceremony. Therefore, combining banana bunches is not only unsafe but also creates a sense of artificiality and lacks the desired solemnity. In worship, sincerity takes precedence over superficial appearances. While colorful displays may impress humans, they do not hold the same value for the divine. Combining banana bunches can also cause anxiety for the host, who may worry about them falling apart, leading to a lack of mental clarity during the ceremony. Furthermore, if metal objects are used to hold the bunches together, it can create negative energy on the altar.

It is advisable to adjust the arrangement of the five types of fruits and select the most suitable individual banana bunches instead of combining them. This way, you maintain a sense of harmony and respect during the offering ceremony.

How to choose bananas:

As the 26th and 27th of the lunar month approach, green bananas become abundantly available, providing ample options for selection. When choosing bananas for offerings during the Tet holiday, it is essential to pick bunches with evenly sized, large, and lush green fruits. Ripe bananas, though associated with the color yellow, are not suitable as they quickly spoil and cannot be offered throughout the entire week of Tet. For people in Northern Vietnam, a bunch of bananas symbolizes a prosperous and harmonious family. The upward-facing bananas absorb the sun and dew, transforming them into sweet fruits that signify good fortune, protection, and blessings.

Choose bananas with stalks, odd-numbered fruits, and a balanced appearance for offerings during the Tet holiday.

Another crucial criterion when selecting bananas is to avoid bunches with an even number of fruits. This is one of the primary considerations for families when purchasing bananas for worship.

According to feng shui experts, even numbers are associated with yin energy, which is not favorable for the host, while odd numbers represent yang energy, symbolizing growth, prosperity, and good luck.

Information provided is for reference only