How to Choose the Right Age for the Lunar New Year’s ‘Lucky’ Visitor – Bringing Prosperity to Your Household

The tradition of choosing a “first-foot” or “xông đất” is an important one in Vietnamese culture. It is believed that the first guest to enter a home on the first day of the new year brings luck to the host family for the rest of the year. Thus, families take great care in selecting a guest whose age is compatible with their own. There are two popular methods: choosing by age or by element.

If you’re unsure what “xông đất” is, check out this article:

> Learn how to welcome wealth and prosperity into your home this new year.

1Choosing a “First-Foot” by Age in 2020, According to the 12 Animals of the Vietnamese Zodiac

Host family age: Tý (Rat) – Choose a guest who is age Thân (Monkey), Thìn (Dragon), or Sửu (Ox).

Host family age: Sửu (Ox) – Choose a guest who is age Tỵ (Snake), Dậu (Rooster), or Tý (Rat).

Host family age: Dần (Tiger) – Choose a guest who is age Ngọ (Horse), Tuất (Dog), or Hợi (Pig).

Host family age: Mão (Rabbit) – Choose a guest who is age Mùi (Goat), Hợi (Pig), or Tuất (Dog).

Host family age: Thìn (Dragon) – Choose a guest who is age Tý (Rat), Thân (Monkey), or Dậu (Rooster).

Host family age: Tỵ (Snake) – Choose a guest who is age Sửu (Ox), Dậu (Rooster), or Thân (Monkey).

Host family age: Ngọ (Horse) – Choose a guest who is age Dần (Tiger), Tuất (Dog), or Mùi (Goat).

Host family age: Mùi (Goat) – Choose a guest who is age Mão (Rabbit), Hợi (Pig), or Ngọ (Horse).

Host family age: Thân (Monkey) – Choose a guest who is age Tý (Rat), Thìn (Dragon), or Tỵ (Snake).

Host family age: Dậu (Rooster) – Choose a guest who is age Sửu (Ox), Tỵ (Snake), or Thìn (Dragon).

Host family age: Tuất (Dog) – Choose a guest who is age Dần (Tiger), Ngọ (Horse), or Mão (Rabbit).

Host family age: Hợi (Pig) – Choose a guest who is age Mão (Rabbit), Mùi (Goat), or Dần (Tiger).

2Choosing a “First-Foot” by Element

Host family with Kim (Metal) element: Choose a guest with Thổ (Earth), Thủy (Water), or Kim (Metal) element.

Host family with Mộc (Wood) element: Choose a guest with Thủy (Water), Hỏa (Fire), or Mộc (Wood) element.

Host family with Thủy (Water) element: Choose a guest with Kim (Metal), Mộc (Wood), or Thủy (Water) element.

Host family with Hỏa (Fire) element: Choose a guest with Mộc (Wood), Thổ (Earth), or Hỏa (Fire) element.

Host family with Thổ (Earth) element: Choose a guest with Hỏa (Fire), Kim (Metal), or Thổ (Earth) element.

In addition to age and element compatibility, there are other superstitions to consider when choosing a “first-foot.” It is believed that the guest should be someone who has had a fortunate year, with no scandals or troubles in their personal life. They should not be dressed in white or black, and they should not be hired for the task. If a couple arrives together, the husband should enter first.

Note

Guests who come to “xông đất” should avoid wearing white or black clothing.

Do not hire someone to be your “first-foot.”

If a couple arrives, the husband should enter first.

We hope that this article has helped you determine who would be a suitable “first-foot” for your family this new year. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, prosperous, and lucky year ahead!