What is the significance of the first word of the year? The lucky word for Tet Giap Thin 2024.

For Vietnamese people, the written word represents the door to the future, so every Lunar New Year, everyone goes out to ask for a word. However, many people still don’t know what this is. Let’s find out together!

1Meaning of the New Year’s Word Asking Ritual

Since ancient times, the habit of asking for a word from the beginning of the new year has become a tradition among the Vietnamese people. This is considered a sacred and important thing in the family.

Meaning of the New Year’s Word Asking Ritual

According to the calligrapher Cung Khac Luoc, the meaning of asking for a word at the beginning of the year is to wish for a year full of luck, peace, and abundance for oneself and one’s family.

In addition, each person will ask for a word on a piece of paper that represents their desires. They also want to ask for the virtue and talent of the teacher. This is evidence of the traditional value of education and the meaningfulness of words in Vietnamese culture.

2How to Ask for the New Year’s Word Correctly?

What do you need to prepare to ask for the New Year’s Word?

In ancient times, when people wanted to ask for a word at the beginning of the new year, they had to prepare a small ritual including areca nuts, betel leaves,… to go to the teacher’s house to ask for the word. Especially, the teacher must be someone who is good at calligraphy in the region, a scholar, or a talented person appointed by the king.

What do you need to prepare to ask for the New Year’s Word?

Nowadays, we don’t need to go through the complicated process of going to the teacher’s house anymore, you just need to go to the street of the fortune tellers and choose one of them to ask for the word. There are not only experienced fortune tellers but also young fortune tellers with modern writing styles.

What is the word to ask for on the Tết Giáp Thìn 2024?

When it comes to asking for the New Year’s Word, people have traditionally asked for it in the form of Han-Viet words, but nowadays you can replace it with Quoc Ngu (Vietnamese) words while still writing it in the form of calligraphy.

After receiving the word, the teacher will explain the meaning of each stroke that they have asked for so that the one who asked for it fully understands the deep meaning behind it. From there, the person who asked for the word will understand more about the beautiful cultural aspect that has been passed down for a long time.

3Meaning of the Popular Words Asked for on New Year’s Day

According to Pham Hai from the UNESCO Calligraphy Club in Hanoi, for many years, customers have only asked for about four words: Tâm (Heart), Phúc (Prosperity), Đức (Virtue), Nhẫn (Patience).

Meaning of the Popular Words Asked for on New Year’s Day

There are also many other words that are asked for on New Year’s Day. Depending on each person’s wishes, they will ask for different words. Let’s find out the meanings of some words.

Asking for the word “Lộc” (Prosperity) to pray for luck and prosperity

The word “Lộc” symbolizes fortune and is one of the words that many people ask for at the beginning of the new year. People give each other the word “Lộc” as a wish for a lucky and prosperous year to the recipient.

Asking for the word “Phúc” (Happiness) to pray for good luck

The word “Phúc” symbolizes happiness, luck, and joy so it is often asked for by many people to decorate their homes.

Asking for the word “Thọ” (Longevity) to pray for a long life

The word “Thọ” symbolizes good health and long life. People often ask for the word “Thọ” with the desire for a strong and prosperous family and to wish longevity for their grandparents and parents.

Asking for the word “Tâm” (Mind) to seek tranquility

People ask for the word “Tâm” with the desire to find peace, to eliminate desires, selfishness, and hatred, in order to have a peaceful and serene life.

Asking for the word “Đức” (Morality) to seek morality

The word “Đức” symbolizes the beauty and morality of human beings. People ask for the word “Đức” to teach themselves to live righteously, to do good things and to have a peaceful soul.

Asking for the word “Tài” (Talent) to pray for talent

The word “Tài” symbolizes talent. People ask for the word “Tài” with the desire to succeed in studying and working.

Asking for the word “An” (Peace) to pray for peace

The word “An” symbolizes peace. People ask for the word “An” to pray for a peaceful and happy life.

Asking for the word “Nhẫn” (Patience) to practice patience

The word “Nhẫn” means generosity, tolerance, and resilience.

Asking for the word “Hiếu” (Gratitude) to show gratitude

People ask for the word “Hiếu” to express gratitude for their parents’ efforts and sacrifices in raising and nurturing them.

Asking for the word “Tín” (Faith) to seek trust

The word “Tín” in Vietnamese means trust, reliability, and always fulfilling what has been promised.

Asking for the word “Duyên” (Destiny) to seek love destiny

The word “Duyên” symbolizes love and destiny. Young people often ask for the word “Duyên” at the beginning of the year to pray for luck in love and indications of the upcoming marriage.

Asking for the words on New Year’s Day from the fortune teller

We hope that the information we have just provided will help you understand and choose the right word according to your desires.