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Ancestral Worship Customs During Tet (Source: Internet)What Should Be on a Tet Altar in Northern Vietnam?
Tet Nguyen Dan or Lunar New Year is one of the most significant festivals in Vietnam. Every family enjoys the bustling atmosphere, decorates for Tet, and sets up ancestral altars to welcome the new year.
The Tet altar in Northern Vietnam is meticulously arranged to express gratitude and respect for ancestors, as well as wishes for a healthy, joyful, and prosperous year. Proper preparation of offerings and altar items, along with appropriate arrangement, is crucial to create a solemn and dignified atmosphere on Tet day.
Symbolism of Five-Fruit Tray
In addition to cleaning and flower arranging for Tet, arranging the five-fruit tray is also crucial. In Northern Vietnam, the five-fruit tray not only symbolizes happiness and prosperity but also represents the desires of the household such as Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, Health, and Peace. The five-fruit tray is indispensable on the ancestral altar on Tet day, often featuring common fruits like bananas, pomelos, peaches, persimmons, and kumquats.
The Five-Fruit Tray Symbolizes Happiness in Northern Vietnam (Source: Internet)Ancestral Altar Offering Tray
Traditional Offerings to Complete the Tet Altar Include 01 Boiled Rooster, 01 Plate of Stir-Fried Vegetables, 01 Chung Cake, 01 Plate of Sticky Rice, and 01 Plate of Boiled Pork.
Offerings Tray to Complete the Tet Altar (Source: Internet)Decorative Items for the Altar
Decorating the Tet altar not only enhances the living room decor but also creates a cozy atmosphere for the family. Clean decorative items before placing them on the altar. You can choose decorative items such as candles, lamps, flower vases, gold and silver trees, and lucky trees. Nowadays, electric lamps often replace candles and lamps, so you can buy electric lamps to decorate the altar. Choose suitable and necessary decorative items to create a warm and solemn space.
Decorating the Altar to Create a Cozy Atmosphere for the Family (Source: Internet)Key Principles to Remember When Decorating the Tet Altar
Below are some important principles to keep in mind when arranging the Tet altar:
Unity and Harmony
Choosing a Stable Location for the Altar, Preferably in the Worship Room or Living Room. Avoid placing it in the Bedroom, Dining Room, or Kitchen to Ensure a Sacred Space. According to Feng Shui, the Best Locations are Yin Fire, Yang Fire, Heavenly Fortune, or Heavenly Horse, as These Locations are Considered to Have the Most Positive Energy.
Stable Location Selection, Preferably in the Worship Room or Living Area (Source: Internet)Cleanliness Stimulates Spiritual Energy
The altar is where ancestors are honored, often placed at the center and highest point in the house. Cleaning the altar should be done carefully and regularly. The worship space is a sacred place that preserves memories and emotions between generations, so maintaining a clean and cool altar not only shows respect for ancestors but also reflects love, gratitude, and appreciation.
Cleaning the Altar Should Be Done Carefully (Source: Internet)Decorating Tips for Tet Altars in Northern Vietnam
Below are decorating tips for Tet altars in Northern Vietnam that you can refer to.
Arranging the Five-Fruit Tray
The Tet offering tray typically includes square glutinous rice cakes, fried spring rolls, sticky rice, boiled chicken... (Source: Internet)Recommended flowers for the ancestral altar
Discover the meanings behind some flowers to adorn the ancestral altar on Tet, bringing happiness and prosperity to the family. For example:
Significance of certain flowers to adorn the ancestral altar (Source: Internet)Arranging ritual offerings
Setting up the ancestral altar on Tet in northern Vietnam is often flexible and varies according to family preferences. Offerings typically include paper clothes, alcohol, gold and silver imitation money, and a tray of fruits... To make the altar neat and orderly, you can arrange as follows:
Some taboos when decorating the Tet altar
In addition to the above notes, you also need to avoid the following taboos when decorating the Tet altar
Incense bowl must be placed in the center of the altar
Place 3 cups of water in the middle of the main incense bowl, the offering tray on the right, and the ancestral clothes on the left.
Avoid moving the incense bowl
When cleaning and decorating the altar, pay attention to taboos to avoid affecting the family altar. You can clean the altar and the incense bowl, but avoid moving the incense bowl and refrain from lifting it up and putting it back down.
Attention to arranging ritual offerings
Avoid choosing fully bloomed flowers or artificial flowers to decorate the altar. Trim and arrange the flowers to be beautiful and balanced.
Use separate and clean wiping cloths
Avoid letting dusty individuals decorate the altar, as this may be considered disrespectful to the deities and deceased relatives.
Positioning and Lighting of Ancestor Altar
It's advisable to place the ancestor altar in main rooms such as the living room, family room, avoiding areas like the kitchen or bedroom to maintain the sacredness. Decorative lights on the altar should emit a gentle glow, preferably in warm yellow hues, creating a cozy atmosphere.
The article has provided suggestions on decorating the Tet ancestral altar in the Northern region for your reference. Wishing you success in honoring your ancestors! Don't forget to visit the reputable e-commerce platform Mytour to discover attractive gifts, numerous discount codes, and pocket-worthy products with the best prices.
