The altar for the 15th day of the first lunar month is simple yet abundant and meaningful. Depending on the customs of each region, the offerings may vary.
Usually, people will prepare:
– A vegetarian/non-vegetarian meal with familiar dishes such as: Sticky rice with beans/red sticky rice, boiled chicken, bamboo/glass noodle soup, vegetables, pork/vegetarian sausage…
– A tray of sweets: Incense, flowers, tea, fruits, betel and areca nuts, paper money…
And no matter what offerings are prepared, these five types of fruits must be placed on the altar to pray for a prosperous new year.
Pomelo – Round and Full
Similar to the five-fruit tray on Tet Holiday, on the 15th day of the first lunar month, you should place a pomelo on the offering tray. In the concept, pomelo is a round fruit with a bright skin that symbolizes fullness and completeness.
Moreover, the word for pomelo in Chinese is pronounced similarly to the word for “son”. Therefore, offering a pomelo is also believed to pray for blessings in having children.
* How to choose a pomelo for the offering:
– Prioritize those with bright and tight skin. Larger spikes indicate that the pomelo is mature and will taste sweeter and better.
– Tap the skin of the pomelo with your finger. If it sounds hollow, the skin is thin. Gently press the skin, and if it feels firm, the pomelo is fresh and can be bought for offering.
– A good pomelo should feel heavy and firm when held.
– Pay attention to the stem of the pomelo. Choose one with a fresh and large stem.
Star Fruit – Escape from Danger and Disaster
This humble fruit may not be eye-catching, but it carries a lot of meaning and is recommended to be placed on the altar for the 15th day of the first lunar month.
In the Vietnamese-Chinese concept, the word for star fruit (“khế”) used to mean “to run”. Therefore, offering star fruit on the altar on the first full moon of the year is believed to drive away bad luck, avoid disasters, and escape danger.
In some places, households with members whose ages conflict with the Tai Sui (a concept in Chinese astrology) for the month or year will offer star fruit on the altar. It is believed that star fruit can eliminate some of the bad luck that the person may encounter.
* How to choose a tasty star fruit
When buying star fruit, you should:
– Choose star fruit with large, plump, and juicy segments.
– Go for slightly green star fruit instead of fully ripe yellow ones as they tend to rot and soften quickly.
– Look for star fruit with fresh stems and leaves, as this will bring more luck and blessings.
– You can choose between sour or sweet star fruit depending on your preference and availability.
Buddha’s Hand – Pray for Peace and Success
In the concept, Buddha’s hand is a colorful and fragrant fruit. Offering it will help keep the Buddha, deities, and ancestors in the house longer, bringing blessings and smoothness to the family.
Moreover, Buddha’s hand has many fingers, symbolizing the Buddha’s hands always protecting and bestowing blessings on the family, bringing a warm and happy life.
Families often place Buddha’s hand in the center of the offering tray to pray for the best luck and blessings.
* How to choose a good Buddha’s hand
– Look for fruits with many fingers arranged in beautiful circular patterns like flower petals.
– A good Buddha’s hand usually has around 20-30 fingers. Prioritize those with a number of fingers in the outer circle corresponding to lucky numbers like 5, 8, or 9.
– When counting the fingers, start from the outermost circle and follow the order of “Thịnh – Suy – Bĩ – Thái” (Prosperity – Decline – Adversity – Peace). If the last finger falls on “Thịnh” or “Thái”, it is considered auspicious.
– Choose a Buddha’s hand with tight and firm skin.
– Preferably, choose yellow ones as they last longer.
Note: Do not soak Buddha’s hand in salted water. Instead, wipe it with a damp cloth and then brush it with a layer of white alcohol for preservation.
Apple – Pray for Luck
In feng shui, apples carry many good meanings. Red apples symbolize luck and are also considered a symbol of health, harmony, and warmth.
It is believed that placing red apples on the altar on the 15th day of the first lunar month will attract wealth and luck. The family will continuously receive good news, and their careers will flourish like a kite flying high in the wind.
* How to choose a good apple
– Choose apples of moderate size, not too big or too small.
– Look for apples with fresh and firmly attached stems.
– Prefer apples with rough skin as smooth-skinned apples tend to be sour.
– Gently squeeze the surface of the apple, and if it feels firm and juicy, it is a good choice.
– Naturally ripened apples have a sweet fragrance, while force-ripened apples may have a slightly sour smell.
Banana – Unity and Togetherness
In the concept of Northern Vietnam, bananas symbolize unity and warmth. A bunch of bananas with the stems facing upward resembles a protective hand over the family.
However, people in Southern Vietnam avoid placing bananas on the altar because the word for banana (“chuối”) sounds similar to the word for “stooping”, which is considered unlucky. Whether to use bananas for offerings depends on the customs of each region.
* How to choose bananas for the 15th-day offering
– Choose a bunch with an odd number of bananas as odd numbers symbolize growth and prosperity.
– Look for bunches with large, uniform bananas and intact stems, free from black spots or bruises.
– Choose bananas with a nice curved shape that can embrace the other fruits.
– Do not use ripe bananas as they may fall off or rot quickly.
