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Why do people use odd numbers of bananas for worship despite the “expensive” price?

Bananas are a familiar fruit in the fruit basket, so as Tet approaches, their prices are increasing significantly, especially for single bananas.

Administrator

11 February, 2024

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In Vietnamese tradition, a bunch of curved bananas symbolizes the togetherness and harmony of family members. Additionally, bananas are often placed upside down, resembling cupped hands receiving blessings and good fortune for the year ahead. They are believed to provide protection, prosperity, and peace to the household. That’s why bananas are an essential part of the Tet fruit tray, especially in the northern region of Vietnam.

Although bananas are available at the market from the 23rd day of the last lunar month, many people still prefer to buy odd-numbered bunches, despite the high price. So what’s the reason behind this?

It is based on the belief passed down from our ancestors that even numbers are considered negative, while odd numbers are positive. As bananas are considered negative, we need to have some positive numbers to create balance.

In addition, many researchers believe that the Vietnamese mindset favors odd numbers as they symbolize growth and vitality. Therefore, when offering incense or arranging flowers, people often choose odd numbers. Typically, even numbers are avoided when offering incense, as 3 incense sticks are used to worship Heaven, Earth, and Ancestors, while 5 incense sticks represent the five virtues of humanity – kindness, decorum, righteousness, wisdom, and trust often found in people. That’s why odd-numbered bunches of bananas, although more expensive, are still highly sought after.

How to choose Tet bananas:

– For fruits to be offered on the ancestral altar during Tet, it is advisable to choose “tiêu” bananas as they are usually larger and can hold other fruits. On the other hand, “tây” bananas are smaller and are more suitable for offering on the altar of the Wealth God.

– To have beautiful and long-lasting Tet bananas, you should choose ripe bananas that are large, evenly shaped, still green, and have a consistent curvature. Only then can the bananas “surround” the other fruits in the fruit tray.

– Avoid choosing bananas that are too open or have wide gaps between the fruits, as they are not aesthetically pleasing and difficult to arrange neatly.

– To avoid buying chemically ripened bananas, you can inspect their appearance. Normally, chemically ripened bananas have bright yellow skin, but the stem and tip are still green. Natural ripe bananas have a darker yellow color and brown spots, while chemically ripened bananas do not.

In addition, chemically ripened bananas will not feel soft when lightly pressed and will not have a sweet aroma when eaten. This is because they have been force-ripened.

– Avoid buying bananas that are already turning yellow or ripe, as the heat from the incense during Tet will cause them to ripen quickly and fall off. On the other hand, mature and green “tiểu” bananas can gradually ripen after Tet, usually within a week.

The information in the article is for reference and contemplation purposes only.