Sure, I can assist with that. ## Eat Balut to Ward Off Bad Luck: Do These Two Things to Make Sure the Jinx is Lifted

11 September, 2024

Why Are Balut Eggs Considered a Jinx-Repelling Dish?

Balut eggs (fertilized duck eggs) are a unique delicacy in Vietnamese cuisine. This intriguing dish is not only tasty but also highly nutritious, offering a range of health benefits. The most common way to prepare balut eggs is by boiling them and serving them with a dip made from salt, lime/kumquat, ginger, Vietnamese coriander, garlic, and chili peppers. In addition, balut eggs can be used to create delicious dishes such as tamarind balut, salted chili balut, and balut with mugwort.

These dishes are not only flavorful but also packed with essential nutrients, including protein, lipids, glucids, calcium, and vitamins. In traditional Chinese medicine, balut eggs are believed to have a tonifying effect on the body, nourishing the yin, blood, and intellect, and promoting growth and development.

According to folk beliefs, balut eggs have the power to ward off bad luck.

Beyond their culinary appeal, balut eggs hold a special place in Vietnamese culture as a symbol of good fortune. Some people avoid eating balut eggs at the beginning of the lunar month, fearing that doing so will bring about a reversal of fortune, turning luck into misfortune. Additionally, as consuming balut eggs involves the taking of a life, many choose to abstain from eating them on the first day of the year, the first day of the lunar month, and during the full moon. However, for others, balut eggs are seen as a remedy for bad luck. When faced with a streak of misfortune, they turn to balut eggs, believing that consuming them will “turn things around” and bring about a change in their luck.

Whether one chooses to eat balut eggs to ward off bad luck or refrains from doing so to avoid attracting negative energy, these beliefs are deeply rooted in personal convictions.

How to Eat Balut Eggs to Ward Off Bad Luck

It’s not as simple as just eating balut eggs to ward off bad luck. Folk traditions dictate specific rules and rituals associated with consuming this delicacy to ensure that bad luck is banished.

There are certain rules to follow when eating balut eggs to ward off bad luck.

– Eat an odd number of eggs

When facing a streak of bad luck, it is believed that consuming balut eggs in odd numbers, such as one, three, or five, will bring about a change in fortune. The reasoning behind this is that eating an even number of eggs would cause the bad luck to “turn over and come back,” nullifying any potential benefit. By consuming an odd number of eggs, the tide of misfortune is believed to change direction.

– Crush or step on the eggshells after eating

Another important ritual associated with eating balut eggs to ward off bad luck is the act of crushing or stepping on the eggshells afterward. This symbolic gesture signifies the definitive end of the bad luck and prevents it from lingering or returning.

Of course, these are just cultural beliefs, and individuals may choose to follow them or not as they see fit. While balut eggs are a delicious treat, it’s important to enjoy them in moderation, as with any food, to maintain a healthy balance in your diet.

Precautions When Eating Balut Eggs

While balut eggs are rich in protein, calcium, lipids, and vitamin A, they also contain high levels of cholesterol. A 100-gram serving of balut eggs can provide up to 600 mg of cholesterol. Therefore, it’s important to consume balut eggs in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Individuals with medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, liver disease, hepatitis, or gout should avoid or limit their consumption of balut eggs. This is because balut eggs may increase the risk of arterial blockage and heighten the chances of a heart attack.

It is recommended to eat balut eggs in the morning and avoid them in the evening due to their high nutritional content and potential for causing digestive issues. Consuming balut eggs at night may lead to bloating and indigestion, impacting the quality of sleep.

Balut eggs are also high in vitamin A, and excessive consumption can result in a surplus of this vitamin, leading to skin peeling and adverse effects on bone formation.

Frequently asked questions

Balut is a fertilized duck embryo that is boiled and eaten in the shell. It is considered a delicacy in many Asian countries and is believed to bring good luck and ward off bad luck in some cultures.

In some cultures, it is believed that the nutrients and energy contained within the balut can help strengthen one’s spiritual and physical well-being, thus providing protection against bad luck and negative energies.

While practices may vary depending on cultural traditions, a common belief is that one should consume balut with respect and gratitude, often accompanied by a prayer or blessing. Some may also perform a small ritual before consuming it, such as burning incense or saying a specific chant.

The article also mentions chicken feet, which are considered lucky in Chinese culture, and pickled ginger, which is believed to bring good fortune in Japanese culture.

The article suggests two things: first, consume lucky foods like balut and chicken feet, and second, perform a simple ritual such as lighting a candle and saying a prayer or affirmation to bring positive energy and lift any perceived jinxes.