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The Fruit Offering: Ancestral Blessings and Fortune with Nature’s Sweet Eight on the Full Moon Night

16 September, 2024

Grapefruit

During the full moon of the eighth lunar month, homeowners can place grapefruits on their ancestral altar. This citrus fruit is commonly used for religious ceremonies and is often seen during Lunar New Year celebrations. Grapefruits are round with a thin, glossy skin that can range from green to yellow. They have a subtle fragrance and are considered an appropriate offering to deities and ancestors. Fruits in the citrus family, such as oranges and tangerines, are also believed to bring wealth and good fortune to the family.

During the eighth full moon, families may choose to place grapefruits on their altars, wishing for happiness, fulfillment, and prosperity. It is believed that this practice will bring peace and abundance to their lives.

Additionally, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on the eighth full moon, some communities create dog shapes out of grapefruits for the children’s moon-viewing feast.

Buddha’s Hand

The buddha’s hand citrus fruit is another popular choice for ancestral offerings during full moon and new moon ceremonies. Its name comes from its distinctive shape, which resembles a hand with fingers, and it has a subtle fragrance. This fruit symbolizes a wish for good fortune and protection, as well as a peaceful life.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates have a vibrant red-pink hue and resemble decorative lanterns. They contain numerous small seeds, symbolizing fertility and abundance. In the context of offerings, pomegranates represent wishes for blessings in one’s descendants and are considered a symbol of continuous growth and prosperity.

Apple

Apples are also suitable for offerings during the eighth full moon. Visually appealing, apples have a shiny skin that catches the eye. Red apples are particularly favored for offerings, as the color red symbolizes luck and joy. However, yellow and green apples are also acceptable. In feng shui, apples represent harmony and tranquility within the family.

Banana Bunch

When paying respects to ancestors, many people choose to place a bunch of bananas on the altar. The curved shape of the bananas resembles an open hand, ready to receive blessings, luck, and fortune. The close grouping of the bananas also symbolizes family unity and closeness. Offering bananas is believed to bring peace and prosperity to the family and success in their endeavors.

Grapes

Grapes, with their round and plump shape, growing in close-knit clusters, symbolize abundance and wealth. Offering grapes is a way of wishing for smoothness and fulfillment in all aspects of life.

Mango

Ripe, golden mangoes belong to the metal element in feng shui and symbolize wealth and prosperity. Their sweet taste and pleasant fragrance make them a fitting offering to deities and ancestors. Mangoes also represent sufficiency and abundance, signifying comfortable spending and a life of ease.

Papaya

Papayas symbolize abundance, as their name suggests. By offering papayas to ancestors and deities, homeowners express their desire for a prosperous and fulfilling life, both materially and spiritually.

This information is for reference only and is based on traditional beliefs.

Frequently asked questions

The fruit offering tradition is an ancient practice rooted in Vietnamese culture, believed to bring ancestral blessings and good fortune. It is performed on the full moon night, considered a sacred and auspicious time.

The number eight holds cultural significance, symbolizing prosperity and abundance. The eight fruits represent Nature’s bounty and are carefully chosen to honor the ancestors and seek their blessings.

The fruits are artistically arranged on a tray or a large plate, creating a visually appealing display. The tray is then placed on an ancestral altar or a prominent place in the house during the full moon night.

It is believed that the ancestors’ souls return to visit their descendants on the full moon night. By offering them their favorite fruits, families express their gratitude, seek blessings for a prosperous life, and maintain a connection with their cultural roots.

Commonly offered fruits include dragon fruit, mango, jackfruit, lychee, longan, banana, papaya, and watermelon. These fruits are chosen for their sweetness, vibrant colors, and cultural significance.

Yes, it is common to offer other items such as incense, flowers, and traditional cakes alongside the fruits. These additional offerings further honor the ancestors and enhance the ritual’s significance.

The fruit offering ritual is usually performed by the eldest members of the family, who are considered the guardians of traditional customs. They pass on the rituals to the younger generations, ensuring the continuity of cultural practices and values.

While it can be performed at any time, the fruit offering tradition is commonly practiced during significant cultural events, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Tet Holiday. These occasions strengthen family bonds and reinforce the connection with ancestral traditions.