In Vietnamese cultural practices, bananas are a familiar fruit often chosen for ancestral altar offerings during festivals, Tet holidays, and on the 1st and 15th of the lunar month.
1. The Significance of Bananas in the Five-Fruit Tray
Bananas, especially green bananas (plantains or Western bananas), are considered symbolic of protection and shelter, representing the ancestral guardianship of their descendants. In the five-fruit tray, the bunch of bananas is typically placed at the bottom, acting as a supportive hand, bringing stability, abundance, and good fortune.
2. Should We Merge Two Bunches of Bananas for Offering?
The answer is no.
Even if you buy two identical bunches, merging them into one for offering goes against Vietnamese spiritual and aesthetic beliefs in ancestor worship. Here’s why:
❌ It is considered patchy and disrespectful.
Merging two bunches of bananas often looks unnatural, becomes unbalanced, and appears less aesthetically pleasing. This diminishes the solemnity of the ritual, lacking the necessary meticulousness—a big no-no in the worship space.
Contradicts the Symbol of “Protective Hand”
Each bunch of bananas is seen as a protective hand. Merging two bunches together loses this familiar symbolism, deviating from the original intention of offering a single bunch.
Incomplete Spiritual Offering
Ancestral offerings require sincerity and precision. A full, lush bunch of bananas expresses reverence and respect for the ancestors. Merging two bunches may be perceived as insincere, indicating a lack of preparation, and could even be interpreted as a perfunctory act.
3. What to Do in Unavoidable Circumstances?
If, for objective reasons (difficulty in purchasing, off-season, small bananas, etc.), you must use two bunches, you can consider the following options:
-
Offer each bunch separately on either side of the altar or place them symmetrically to maintain balance, avoiding merging them into a fake bunch.
-
Carefully decorate and balance the offerings, ensuring harmony, cleanliness, and tidiness.
-
Above all, maintain sincerity—a value that our ancestors have always prioritized in worship rituals.
4. Some Notes on Choosing Bananas for Offering
-
Opt for green bananas that are not overly ripe, with a curved shape.
-
Avoid bananas with cracked, bruised, or overly yellow tips.
-
Ensure the bananas are fresh, without any strange odors, and not wilted.
-
Choose an odd number of bananas (typically 9 or 11) as this is considered lucky.
In the worship of ancestors, every detail reflects the sincerity and meticulousness of the descendant. Merging two bunches of bananas to offer on the ancestral altar is not recommended, as it affects both the aesthetic and spiritual aspects. Instead, choose carefully and offer a complete and abundant bunch of bananas—this is the proper way to show reverence and respect.
