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During the traditional Tet holiday, families customarily arrange fruit trays to offer to their ancestors. Displaying Tet fruit trays has become a beautiful tradition among Vietnamese people nationwide. Have you discovered the significance of Tet fruit trays across three regions yet? If not, seek the answers below this article!
1. Meaning of Tet Fruit Trays
A typical Tet fruit tray consists of 5 types of fruits with different colors symbolizing the five elements: Metal - Wood - Water - Fire - Earth.
According to the beliefs of people in East Asia and Southeast Asia, the number 5 represents luck and all things good. The number 5 also embodies the desire that in the new year, the homeowner will achieve the 'Five Blessings': Prosperity - Fortune - Longevity - Health - Peace. People often arrange fruit trays to express their wishes for luck and goodness in the new year.
In addition, the selection of fruits for the Tet fruit tray also carries various meanings. Depending on the climate and traditional beliefs of each region, the Tet fruit tray will include different types of fruits.
In general, all the fruits displayed symbolize goodness, and they must be fresh, delicious, and visually appealing. The colors of the fruit tray should be harmonious. In the past, people used the shape and color of the fruits to attribute symbolic meanings to them.
2. Significance of Tet Fruit Trays in Three Regions
Northern Region
In the Northern region, traditional Tet fruit trays often include bananas, pomelos, persimmons, papayas, oranges, tangerines, peaches, Buddha's hand citrons, figs, pears, apples, pomegranates...
According to folklore, bananas with clustered stems symbolize family reunion during every Tet and springtime.
- Pomelo symbolizes achievement and prosperity.
- The peach symbolizes wealth and luck.
- The apricot symbolizes happiness and hope for the future.
- Oranges and kumquats symbolize health and success.
- Pomegranates express everyone's wish for prosperity and a flourishing family in the new year.
- Buddha's hand citrons, resembling a hand, symbolize blessings from ancestors, deities, and Buddhas for the new year.
Southern Region
In Southern Vietnam, Tet fruit trays are often chosen based on pronunciation, including mangosteens, pomelos, coconuts, papayas, mangoes, corresponding to the pronunciation 'seeking prosperity and sufficiency'. Additionally, pineapples, also known as fragrant fruit, may be added to signify stability and the desire for a full household of descendants.
In Southern Vietnam, bananas are absent from Tet fruit trays due to their similar pronunciation to 'bend', symbolizing difficulties and unsuccessful endeavors. On Tet days, few people display kumquats, pears, and apples, believing that 'kumquats bear oranges' while pears and apples (bombs) symbolize failure and misfortune.
Central Region
Unlike the Northern or Southern regions, people in the Central region often opt for simpler Tet fruit trays, aligning with the belief that as long as the homeowner is sincere, ancestral worship is sufficient.
Common fruits seen on Tet fruit trays in the Central region include bananas, dragon fruits, mangoes, oranges, kumquats, and pomelos.
While the types of fruits on the trays vary by region, they all reflect the cultural value of 'Remembering those who planted the trees', showing gratitude to ancestors, and wishing for a peaceful, healthy, and prosperous new year.
Here is the significance of Tet fruit trays from three regions for your reference. Hopefully, the information shared by Mytour will help you understand more about our traditional culture.
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