What is “Xong dat”?
Xong dat, also known as dap dat or xong nha, is a long-standing tradition in Vietnam. People believe that if the first person to visit and wish the family a happy new year is compatible in terms of age with the host, then the host will have a year filled with luck and prosperity.
That’s why, after the moment of transition into the new year, the Vietnamese people attach great importance to the tradition of “xong dat”.
Meaning of xong dat
According to ancient beliefs, after the New Year’s Eve, everything in the house is brand new, which is why the host often hopes that someone will bring luck, wealth, and fortune to the family in the new year. Therefore, the first person to visit and wish a happy new year is highly regarded.
The guest arrives in the morning of the first day, arranged by the host in advance, and brings fruits, candies, and lucky money if there are children in the house. The host welcomes them warmly and receives good wishes for their family.
The tradition of xong dat takes place shortly after the first person arrives to wish the host a happy new year. They only stay for about fifteen minutes to wish the host’s family good luck throughout the year.
That’s all it takes, but it brings joy and the belief that the host’s family will be lucky throughout the year. The guest is happy because they have done good deeds and brought good things to others.
Which age is the best for xong dat in the year Giap Thin 2024?
“According to Lao Dong newspaper, feng shui expert Pham Cuong said that the compatible ages for xong dat in the 2024 Lunar New Year are those with the Kỷ heavenly stem and the Dậu earthly branch. He also pointed out some auspicious ages such as Kỷ Hợi (1959), Tân Dậu (1981), Kỷ Tỵ (1989), Kỷ Mão (1999), Ất Dậu (2005).”
Among them, the three best ages are Đinh Dậu (1957), Kỷ Dậu (1969), and Quý Dậu (1993).
In addition, homeowners should consider the compatibility between their own age and the age of the person visiting to avoid clashes. For example, a host who was born in the year of the Cat should not invite someone born in the year of the Monkey to visit, and a homeowner born in the year of the Rat should avoid inviting someone born in the year of the Snake. Also, homeowners should invite visitors and organize grand openings without mourning for deceased parents, to avoid gloomy fortune.
Pham Cuong said: “We don’t need to be too academic when looking for people to perform xong dat. Sometimes in life, our close relatives or friends may not be compatible age-wise according to Eastern astrology, but they are in tune with our soul and thinking. They are the noble ones who, when they come to our homes, will create a warm, joyful, united, and harmonious atmosphere during New Year’s Eve and the beginning of the new year. With this harmony, we will have a prosperous and smooth year, attracting fortune.”
Some taboos for the new year
Do not sweep the house or throw garbage on the first day
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is absolutely forbidden to touch brooms because, according to the traditional belief of the Vietnamese people, sweeping and throwing garbage on this day means sweeping away all the luck of the new year out of the house.
Furthermore, after sweeping the house, people believe that they have to put the broom away. Because if the broom is lost on the first day of the Lunar New Year, it’s a bad omen, indicating that the house will be robbed and lose all its wealth.
Do not give fire or water to others at the beginning of the year
Fire represents luck in feng shui, while water symbolizes wealth flowing into the house.
If at the beginning of the new year, you give fire or water, it means you are giving away your own luck and fortune. So, in the first few days of the year, you should not lend matches or give water to others.
Avoid breaking things
Breaking things is one of the taboos during the Lunar New Year.
Our ancestors considered breaking dishes, cups, mirrors on the first day of the year a sign of separation, divisiveness, and unfavorable relationships in the new year.
Avoid borrowing or demanding debts
Avoid borrowing money or demanding repayment of debts at the beginning of the new year. Doing so will indicate a year of borrowing and repaying for yourself, and the whole year will not see any money coming into the house, leading to shortages and debt.
Moreover, if you lend money at the beginning of the year, it is seen as “offering” your own fortune to others. Therefore, remember not to lend or demand repayment of debts during Tet!
Avoid negative speech and vulgar language
In the new year, even words must be cautious because everyone hopes for luck to come to their homes. So, words of ill omen, vulgar words, even if said jokingly, should never be uttered.
Even with food, dishes with negative connotations such as shrimp, balut eggs, dog meat, duck meat, snakehead fish, etc., should not be eaten during these days because of the ancient belief that these dishes bring inauspicious things to the new year.
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