With the belief that what happens and what actions are taken in the early days of the new year will affect the whole year, folklore offers many recommendations on things to buy and not to buy during this time.
What to Buy at the Beginning of the Year?
To receive good luck and have a prosperous and favorable year, Vietnamese people have a list of things to buy and not to buy during the Lunar New Year or the first days of the Lunar New Year in general.
– Salt: “Buy salt at the beginning of the year, buy lime at the end of the year” is a folk saying that reflects the long-standing customs and practices of the Vietnamese people when welcoming the new year. According to the belief of the ancients, salt is something that helps ward off evil spirits and brings lots of good luck. The taste of salt also symbolizes the richness of family affection.
Many people also believe that buying salt at the beginning of the year will help the family live in harmony and warmth, and the relationships within the family and with the outside world will become close-knit.
– Matchboxes, lighters: Fire symbolizes warmth, happiness, and never-ending fortune, so many families believe that buying fire at the beginning of the year will bring warmth, peace, and prosperity to the family. Therefore, on the first day of the new year, you often see sellers selling salt packages with lighters.
– Calligraphy: Buying paper to ask for calligraphy on the first day of the year is a tradition of the Lunar New Year. This activity not only shows the importance attached to knowledge but also the desire for personal learning, career success to be smooth and favorable.
– Feng shui items: Feng shui items that are suitable and compatible with the homeowner are popular purchases during this time. They are bought to dispel negative energy and bring vitality to health or business.
– Pottery: Buying pottery at the beginning of the year not only helps decorate the living space but also has the meaning of balancing the five elements, bringing good luck to the homeowner.
– Gold: According to ancient beliefs, buying gold at the beginning of the year will bring us a year full of abundance and wealth, especially on the day of the Kitchen God (the 10th day of the Lunar New Year).
Buying salt, asking for calligraphy at the beginning of the year for good luck and prosperity (Illustration: Pinterest)
What to Avoid in the New Year?
The New Year taboos include:
– Cleaning, throwing away garbage: During Tet, many families do not touch brooms, do not clean the house, throw away garbage, or mop the floor because the ancients believed that this action would take away money and fortune from the house. That’s why, before the moment of transition to the new year, families clean and tidy their homes to welcome the new year.
– Breaking things: Vietnamese people avoid breaking things, especially mirrors, glass, or porcelain in the new year because they consider it as a bad omen. During Tet, people often remind each other to use things carefully, especially when visiting relatives.
– Crying, arguing: With the belief that “a good start leads to a good end,” everything that starts well will bring about a shining journey and good results. Therefore, in the first days of the new year, people always laugh and talk happily, telling each other funny stories, without crying or arguing loudly during Tet.
– Giving fire and water: Fire and water are considered objects that bring luck and fortune into the house, so the act of giving fire and water during the 3 Tet days is considered as giving money to others. The new year will be difficult and challenging to make a living and do well if you give fire and water to other people.
– Borrowing money: Borrowing money is something many people avoid throughout the month of January. If you borrow money on the first day of the year, it shows that your life is not prosperous, leading to a year of struggles and difficulties in making a living and becoming wealthy.
