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Why should you bring bananas when going to pay respects at the tomb? What is the significance of bananas in spiritual worship?

Bananas are a common fruit often seen in ancestral altars, but they should not be taken to light incense at cemeteries. Why is that?

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19 March, 2024

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Meaning of Bananas in Spiritual Culture

Bananas are a commonly seen fruit in ceremonial occasions. Specifically, bananas are highly important in preparing for the Lunar New Year in many households in the northern region of our country. In spiritual culture, bananas symbolize protection, attraction, and nurturing. The curved shape of the banana embraces and nurtures other fruits, creating a tray of five fruits. Bananas are the centerpiece of the tray and also represent the green Wood element.

Bananas hold the meaning of attraction, abundance, and prosperity. People wish for wealth and luck when lighting incense. Bananas are also a common fruit available year-round. Most traditional farming families used to have banana plants in their gardens. In the past, they followed the tradition of planting betel trees in the front and banana trees in the back. Unlike other fruits, bananas are available year-round, making them convenient for ceremonial purposes, offering them to ancestral spirits.

However, many families in the southern region do not use bananas for their ancestral worship because bananas have a shape that is different from the desired straight shape, thus lacking the auspicious meaning.

Bananas are a common fruit used for ancestral worship at home, but many people refrain from using bananas for ancestral worship at cemeteries

Why should bananas only be used for ancestral worship at home and not be taken to cemeteries for worship?

Folklore in many places discourages the use of bananas for worship at cemeteries, especially during grave-sweeping festivals.

Cemeteries are places with heavy and solemn spiritual energy, with many wandering souls. During the grave-sweeping days such as the Lunar New Year and the end of the year, cemeteries are often crowded. It is also the time when cemeteries “open their gates,” attracting many wandering souls. Grave-sweeping is a beautiful custom of expressing gratitude, remembrance, and descendants cleaning and visiting the graves of their ancestors.

However, using bananas as an offering may attract spirits and wandering souls. Therefore, if bananas are offered at cemeteries, when brought back home, they may attract and guide wandering spirits back, causing negative energy in the house or making the descendants sick. Especially for households with young children or elderly people, negative energy can cause fear and difficulty in life. That’s why the ancestors advised their descendants not to bring bananas to avoid attracting wandering souls.

In some regions, the belief that bananas should not be brought to cemeteries is also a common folk experience, but it is not widely known.

Grave-sweeping is one of the beautiful customs that reflects the tradition of honoring and remembering ancestors

Other considerations when preparing for grave-sweeping

When preparing for grave-sweeping, there are two ceremonies: one for the ancestral altar and one for the ancestral graves. When entering the cemetery, it is necessary to first light incense at the ancestral altar to show gratitude for taking care of the ancestral graves and ask for permission to visit. After that, incense can be lit at the ancestral graves of one’s own family. Absolutely avoid lighting incense at the ancestral graves first and then going back to the ancestral altar.

The offerings can be vegetarian or non-vegetarian. The offerings often include betel leaves, herbal tea, sticky rice, meat, fruits, pastries, etc. The offerings do not need to be elaborate; what is important is the sincere heart and careful cleaning of the gravesite.

After offering incense to the ancestors, while waiting for the incense to burn out, the descendants clean the gravesite, trim the grass, and check if there are any issues that need repair.

During the grave-sweeping period, according to ancient traditions, one should dress neatly, have a pure mind, avoid vulgar language, and not step on the gravesite. Offer incense to all neighboring graves but avoid touching the pictures and offerings on other people’s graves.

During grave-sweeping, avoid laughing, making derogatory or teasing comments on the graves, avoid speaking loudly, arguing, or telling stories that are frivolous and silly, and avoid speaking offensive comments.

After the ceremonies, blessings can be shared with the descendants or brought back home, but absolutely do not bring anything else from the cemetery such as plants, soil, etc., as they may carry negative energy back home.

This information is for reference only.

Frequently asked questions

Bananas are commonly used in ceremonies, especially during the Lunar New Year preparations in the northern region. They signify attraction, abundance, and prosperity, and their year-round availability makes them convenient for offerings to ancestral spirits.

According to folklore, offering bananas at cemeteries may attract wandering spirits, and taking them home could invite those spirits into the house, causing negative energy or illness. This belief is especially prevalent in households with young children or elderly people, as negative energy can impact their well-being.

Grave-sweeping is a custom that reflects the tradition of honoring and remembering ancestors. It involves cleaning and visiting the graves of ancestors, expressing gratitude, and seeking their blessings. It is considered a solemn occasion, and certain etiquette, such as dressing neatly and avoiding vulgar language, is expected to be followed during these visits.

There are two ceremonies: one at the ancestral altar and one at the ancestral graves. Incense should be lit at the altar first to show gratitude and seek permission. Offerings can be simple and vegetarian or non-vegetarian. During the visit, descendants clean the gravesite and inspect it for any needed repairs. It is important to avoid stepping on the gravesite and to offer incense to neighboring graves as well.