Explore

“Rich people never throw away a bowl or a plate: Using this old saying to protect wealth from slipping away”

Eating utensils are an essential part of our daily lives, so it is crucial to pay close attention to the following taboos.

Administrator

18 December, 2023

182

Beliefs about broken dishes

In today’s life, we come into contact with many kitchen utensils such as plates, glasses, bowls, flower pots, etc. Breaking dishes and bowls while cooking and cleaning is a common occurrence for every family, especially those with children and the elderly.

So, is this just a daily mishap or does it hold a message for the homeowner from the future? Let’s follow the following beliefs to get the most objective answer to this issue:

Based on the beliefs of the Eastern people

According to the beliefs of Eastern people, specifically Asians, breaking dishes and bowls and breaking items such as mirrors, combs, glass objects, etc. in general, are all bad omens.

They believe that this is a sign of rupture, crack, and bad luck. However, if you accidentally break these objects, you need to be careful for the next 24 hours. You have to wait until the next day to ensure your safety in work and life.

For the Chinese people, they believe that breaking plates, dishes, or items made of ceramic, porcelain, or glass is the worst omen. If this unfortunate event occurs, they will use the phrase “Pháp Hội Phú Quý” to prevent and eliminate unnecessary risks.

So what about the Vietnamese people’s beliefs regarding this matter? Although not being superstitious or having complete faith in spirituality, the majority of Vietnamese people are extremely cautious about breaking plates and dishes, especially on New Year’s Day or the beginning of the month. Many people believe that this is a sign of bad luck in terms of finances, and the homeowners may lose money or encounter difficulties in their business in the near future.

In addition, pregnant women should also avoid contact with and use of chipped plates, dishes, glassware, or even cracked ceramic objects. Bad omens may be related to the unborn child, leading to undesirable birth outcomes, family breakdown, etc.

Based on Western beliefs

In the West, what does breaking dishes signify? In contrast to the beliefs of Asians, the Western mindset is more open-minded, considering everything as natural and generally positive in every situation.

They believe that breaking plates and dishes is extremely lucky, it is considered a sign of change in relationships, and there will be more joy and happiness in their lives.

Therefore, in Germany, there is a tradition of breaking dishes during wedding ceremonies to congratulate the bride and groom, hoping that they will have a happy home and a complete love.

Why you shouldn’t throw away old dishes?

Many families have a habit of throwing away all old dishes and chopsticks when moving or at the end of the Lunar New Year and buying new ones. However, in terms of feng shui, this is considered taboo. If violated, it will cause the family’s fortune to decline, similar to indirectly throwing away their own work and career.

Surely everyone has heard the saying “làm ăn thất bát”, which means that business is not going well, facing many difficulties. Regardless of whether it is new or old, the word “bát” here refers to the business of the homeowner. Therefore, according to feng shui, throwing away the dish is considered a “destroying fortune”, throwing away one’s own rice bowl.

In Chinese, the word “bát” is pronounced as “Wǎn”, it homophonic with another word with the pronunciation of “wán” in the word “wándàn”, which means the end. Therefore, even if you buy new dishes and utensils, you should not discard the old ones, even if they are chipped.

Many families have a habit of being frugal and still use chipped dishes, but according to feng shui, this is also something to avoid because a cracked plate symbolizes work and business, and using cracked dishes for meals means that work and career may be unstable and prone to failure. There may be changes if the homeowner continues to use cracked dishes for meals.

If the old dish is not used, it can be given to someone if the recipient has a need. By doing this, you are not throwing away the dish but handing it over to others for their own purpose. Moreover, giving a dish also implies wishing for the recipient’s business and career to always be successful.

In case the dish is too damaged and cannot be kept anymore, the homeowner can wrap the dish in red fabric and then dispose of it discreetly, or wrap it in red paper or cloth before throwing it away, instead of throwing it directly into the trash. Using this method, the homeowner’s career and fortune will not be affected.

Do’s and Don’ts of using dishes in feng shui

When feeling that fortune is not good or business is declining, homeowners can purchase a feng shui dish and place it at their desk or at home.

When using a feng shui dish, it should harmonize with the homeowner’s fate according to the five elements, for example, using a dish made of ceramic, copper, wood… With a wide or empty dish, you can pour some water and place a few coins inside, with the implication of generating wealth and positive energy, and ensuring mental stability. It is best to place it near the window of the desk, as it is the best place to absorb good energy.

(*) Information is for reference only