Purification Rituals: Ancient Vietnamese Customs to Welcome a Fortunate New Year

The Lunar New Year is almost upon us, and we're here to share some traditional Vietnamese purification rituals to welcome the new year with abundance and good fortune!

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Smudging is a traditional Vietnamese custom, believed to cleanse and purify a space. Let’s explore the reasons and rituals behind this practice, and discover how it can bring good fortune for the new year.

1 When to Perform House Cleansing or Smudging?

Moving into a New House or Office

Smudging for New Premises

Smudging is considered essential when moving into a newly constructed home or office, or even when relocating to a new residence. It is seen as a way to cleanse the space of any negative energy or remnants from the construction process or previous occupants. This ritual also helps create a sense of peace and comfort in your new living or working environment.

Grand Openings

Smudging to Ward Off Negative Energy

Performing a house cleansing ritual when opening a new office or store is believed to ward off any previous bad luck and attract positive energy. This practice is thought to enhance your chances of success and bring good fortune to your new venture.

End and Beginning of the Year

Smudging at the end of the year is a way to leave behind any negative energy and misfortunes of the passing year, making room for a fresh start. At the beginning of the new year, smudging is done to purify the air and invite prosperity and good luck for the family.

Smudging for a Fresh Start

During Unlucky Times

Cleansing Negative Energy

If you’re experiencing a string of bad luck or feeling overwhelmed by negativity, smudging your house is believed to purify the air and dispel any lingering bad omens.

2 Effective House Cleansing Methods

Using Air Freshener Candles

Air freshener candles not only help eliminate unpleasant odors but also create a cozy atmosphere. Choose your favorite scent and place the candle in a well-ventilated area to fill your home with a delightful fragrance.

Salt Smudging

Salt is easily accessible and believed to have powerful cleansing properties. It is said to absorb negative energy and protect your home from evil spirits.

Ingredients:

  • Metal pan
  • Salt
  • Liquid paraffin

Instructions:

Step 1 Pour salt into the metal pan.

Step 2 Add liquid paraffin until the salt is fully submerged, then ignite it.

Step 3 Once the paraffin has burned out, collect the salt and dispose of it at a three-way intersection.

Note: Keep doors and windows closed during the ritual to prevent the wind from blowing out the flame.

Cinnamon Smudging

Cinnamon Smudging

Cinnamon is a type of dried herb known for its air-purifying properties and its ability to bring good luck. There are two ways to perform cinnamon smudging:

Ingredients:

  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Charcoal briquettes

Instructions:

Method 1:

Step 1 Light a large charcoal briquette and place a cinnamon stick on it.

Step 2 Carry the burning briquette and cinnamon through every corner of your house.

Method 2:

Step 1 Grind the cinnamon sticks into a fine powder and form small pellets.

Step 2 Place the pellets on a small charcoal briquette and put it on a table in the living room or bedroom.

Lemongrass Smudging

Lemongrass Smudging

Lemongrass smudging is a refreshing and effective way to cleanse your space. Give it a try!

Ingredients:

  • Lemongrass

Instructions:

Step 1 Clean the lemongrass and either crush or chop it finely. Boil the lemongrass in a pot.

Step 2 Keep the pot uncovered to allow the lemongrass fragrance to permeate the room.

Step 3 Close the doors and windows to ensure the scent reaches every corner of the room.

Fun Fact: Why do we perform house cleansing rituals?

We’ve shared traditional Vietnamese house cleansing methods to bring good fortune for the new year. Try them out and create a purified and lucky space for you and your loved ones!

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Frequently asked questions

Purification rituals are spiritual practices aimed at cleansing and purifying oneself, one’s home, and one’s surroundings to welcome good luck, fortune, and a prosperous new year. In ancient Vietnam, these rituals were deeply rooted in cultural traditions and believed to ward off bad luck, negative energy, and any lingering spirits from the previous year.

These rituals are typically performed towards the end of the lunar year, usually in the 12th lunar month, as a way to prepare for the upcoming Tet holiday, which marks the start of the new lunar year.

Common practices include thoroughly cleaning and decorating one’s home, settling debts and grudges, offering sacrifices and prayers to ancestors and deities, burning incense and paper votives, and performing traditional ceremonies like the ‘Bau Vu’ or ‘Thanh Cuong’ rituals.

Settling debts and grudges is believed to clear any negative energy or obstacles that could hinder one’s luck and fortune in the coming year. It promotes a fresh start and fosters harmonious relationships, which is considered essential for a prosperous new beginning.

Burning incense and paper votives is a way to honor and communicate with one’s ancestors and deities. The smoke from the incense is believed to carry prayers and wishes to the spiritual realm, while paper votives, often in the form of clothes, gold, and other offerings, are thought to provide for the ancestors’ and deities’ spirits.

Traditional dishes vary regionally, but common foods include sticky rice cakes (‘Banh Chung’ or ‘Banh Tet’), pickled onions, and boiled chicken, all of which hold symbolic meanings of luck, prosperity, and unity.

While some aspects of these ancient rituals have been simplified or adapted to modern lifestyles, many Vietnamese still uphold key traditions. Cleaning and decorating homes, preparing traditional foods, offering prayers and ancestral worship, and settling debts are still widely practiced, showcasing the enduring importance of these customs in Vietnamese culture.

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