The third day of Tet is one of the three main days of the Lunar New Year celebrations, making it an extremely important day. Alongside the things to avoid on this day, there are also some things you should do to bring good luck and happiness for the year ahead.
1 The Significance of the Third Day of Tet
The Significance of the Third Day of Tet
According to folk beliefs, “the first day of Tet is for the Father, the second day is for the Mother, and the third day is for the Teacher”. On the first day of Tet, family members gather at the paternal side of the family to offer New Year greetings and best wishes to their grandparents. On the second day, they do the same at the maternal side of the family.
The third day of Tet is an opportunity for teachers and students to come together and exchange New Year greetings, wishing each other a year filled with good things and peace.
The third day of Tet reminds students of the tradition of respecting and honoring their teachers, who have imparted knowledge and skills to generations of students, helping them to succeed and become good people.
2 What to Do on the Third Day of Tet for Good Luck
Doing the following things on the third day of Tet will bring good luck and fortune for the year ahead.
Perform the Gold Offering Ritual
Perform the Gold Offering Ritual
Families should perform the gold offering ritual (a ceremony to thank their ancestors and deities) on the third day of Tet. The offering usually includes incense, flowers, betel, gold and silver paper, candles or lamps, and vegetarian or meat dishes such as , , and …
The day of the gold offering ritual varies by region, but it is commonly held on the third day of Tet.
For reference: Giáp Thìn 2024
Wear Colorful and Bright Clothes
Wear Colorful and Bright Clothes
What to wear during Tet is an important consideration. People usually avoid wearing black and white during the holiday. Instead, opt for red, orange, yellow, and other bright colors, which symbolize luck, prosperity, and abundance.
Visit Pagodas to Pray for Peace and Good Health
Visit Pagodas to Pray for Peace and Good Health
Visiting pagodas to pray for peace, good luck, and health is one of the things you should do during the first days of spring. At the beginning of the year, visiting a pagoda helps to calm the soul and sincerely pray for a new year filled with luck, happiness, and all things good.
Offer New Year Greetings
Offer New Year Greetings
During Tet, people offer New Year greetings to their grandparents, parents, relatives, and friends. On the third day of Tet, students also offer greetings to their teachers.
This is also an opportunity for students to express their gratitude to their teachers and for friends to meet, chat, and wish each other a happy and peaceful new year.
Pluck New Year’s Luck
Pluck New Year’s Luck
Along with visiting pagodas to pray for peace and good health, people also pluck New Year’s luck, which is prepared in advance at the pagodas. Each luck bag contains lucky money, rice, and auspicious messages, symbolizing fulfillment, health, and abundance.
3 What Not to Do on the Third Day of Tet
In addition to the things you should do on the third day of Tet for good luck, there are also some things you should avoid doing.
Avoid Sweeping and Taking Out the Garbage
Avoid Sweeping and Taking Out the Garbage
One of the things you should avoid doing on the third day of Tet is sweeping the floor and taking out the garbage. According to traditional beliefs, sweeping the floor and taking out the garbage during the first days of the new year will sweep away your luck and fortune. Instead, you can sweep the floor and pile the garbage in a corner of your house, but do not take it out.
Avoid Using Needles and Thread
Avoid Using Needles and Thread
On the third day of Tet, it is best to avoid using needles and thread. In the past, people believed that using needles and thread for sewing on the first days of the new year would bring poverty and hardship to the household for the rest of the year.
Avoid Saying Unlucky Things
Avoid Saying Unlucky Things
On any of the first days of the new year, avoid saying unlucky things to prevent bad luck from affecting the rest of the year. Instead, say lucky and happy things.
Avoid Arguing
Avoid Arguing
During the first days of the new year, avoid arguments and disagreements. Instead, everyone should be happy and smiling. Adults should not shout at or scold children, and family members should not quarrel, so as to welcome a joyful and happy new year.
For reference: What to Avoid at the Beginning of the Year?
We hope that through this article, you now know what to do and what not to do on the third day of Tet to bring good luck and happiness for the new year. We wish you a happy and prosperous new year, and thank you for reading.
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– Visiting temples or pagodas: Offering prayers and paying respect to Buddhist or Taoist deities is considered fortunate. Many people also take this opportunity to ask for blessings and wish for a prosperous year ahead.
– Starting new endeavors: It is believed that beginning a new project, business venture, or even a journey on this day brings success and favorable outcomes.
– Practicing generosity: Engaging in charitable acts, donating to the less fortunate, and offering gifts to loved ones are all encouraged. This generosity is believed to attract positive karma and blessings.
– Spending time with family: The third day of Tet is a time to strengthen family bonds and create lasting memories. It is considered lucky to gather with extended family, share meals, and participate in traditional games and activities together.
– Arguing and negative speech: Raising one’s voice, engaging in arguments, or speaking ill of others is considered inauspicious. It is believed that this can lead to disharmony and negative energy for the rest of the year.
– Visiting a sick person: It is considered unlucky to visit someone who is ill on this day. The belief is that doing so may transfer the illness or bad luck to the visitor.
– Lending money: Lending or borrowing money on the third day is avoided as it is believed to lead to financial struggles and difficulties in the coming year.
– Breaking things: Breaking dishes, furniture, or other items is seen as a sign of bad luck. It is believed that this can bring misfortune and disrupt the peace and prosperity of the household.
– Wearing unlucky colors: Traditionally, black and white are considered unlucky colors to wear on the third day of Tet, as they are associated with mourning and sadness.
