When it comes to Vietnamese traditional worship, fresh fruits and flowers are indispensable offerings. But did you know that there are certain types of fruits that are considered inappropriate for this purpose? Let’s explore the following article to find out which fruits to avoid when setting up your ancestral altar.
1 Fruits with Overpowering Scents
Avoid fruits with overpowering scents
Apart from considering the external appearance of fruits, one must also pay attention to their fragrances. As the altar area should be neat and solemn, it is advisable to select fruits with subtle and gentle aromas. Stay away from fruits like durian, which has a very strong and distinct odor that can be off-putting to some individuals.
For further reference: Various types of and their symbolic meanings.
2 Fruits that Grow Close to the Ground
Avoid fruits that grow close to the ground
According to folk beliefs, fruits that grow close to the ground are thought to be prone to absorbing negative energies and impurities from the earth. Examples of such fruits include strawberries, watermelons, cantaloupes, and pineapples. It is inadvisable to include these fruits when preparing a fruit tray for ancestral worship.
3 Bitter, Sour, and Spicy Fruits
Avoid bitter, sour, and spicy fruits
Homeowners are advised against choosing fruits with bitter, sour, or spicy flavors, such as tamarind, green oranges, green mangoes, bitter melon, and carambola. These fruits often evoke associations with the bitterness and sourness of life’s struggles. To prevent inviting bad luck into your home, it is best to refrain from offering these fruits on your altar.
4 Artificial Fruits
Avoid artificial fruits
When lighting incense and making daily offerings, it is imperative to refrain from using artificial fruits, regardless of cost-saving considerations. According to folk beliefs, ancestors and the deceased only “eat the essence” of the offerings, so it is crucial to select real fruits that emit a pleasant fragrance.
5 Overripe Fruits
Avoid overripe fruits
When selecting fruits for worship, it is important to avoid those that are overly ripe, such as soft bananas, overripe mangoes, or bruised peaches. Overripe fruits tend to attract flies and insects, disrupting the solemnity of the worship space and introducing impurities.
Pro Tip:
When choosing fruits for Lunar New Year, opt for those with attractive appearances and pleasant aromas, such as apples, peaches, persimmons, pomelos, and custard apples. These fruits are believed to bring good fortune and luck to your household.
Fruits suitable for ancestral worship
In conclusion, we have outlined a list of fruits that are considered inappropriate for ancestral worship to prevent any loss of fortune. We hope you find this information valuable.
