Top 14 Types of Fruits on Ancestral Altars During Tet in Northern Vietnam and Their Meanings

Bananas on the ancestral altar are arranged in bunches, and they must be green. Their simple, rustic appearance carries a special spiritual significance, akin to an upturned hand receiving luck, blessings, and protection for the family. It also symbolizes family unity, warmth, and protection, welcoming the new year with prosperity and success. Large, beautiful, green bananas bring hope for a smooth, prosperous new year.

How to choose green bananas for the Tet ancestral altar:

• The appearance of the banana bunch should be naturally green. Choose fresh bananas because if left over Tet, ripe bananas can become overripe and squishy.
• The bunch should have two layers, with even spacing between the fruits.
• Bananas should be slender, long, or round.
• The outer banana peel should be free from scratches to avoid browning, as the overall appearance of the banana bunch should be appealing.
• All bananas should have flowers at the top, symbolizing the blooming of spring.

Papaya is also an indispensable fruit on the ancestral altar of people in the Northern region. Just like its name suggests, 'đủ' in abundance, complete, signifies a new year of abundance and prosperity.

How to choose ripe papaya for Tet fruit tray:

• Observe the stem: Papayas ripened with chemicals will still have green stems, or even fully green fruit with yellow or red patches indicating forced ripening. Naturally ripened papayas will have a yellow stem.
• Color of the papaya: Papayas ripened with chemicals often have shiny skins and feel firm even though the outer skin has turned yellow. Naturally ripened papayas usually have a white powdery layer on top, sometimes with black spots or small indentations on the surface, and the skin is not uniformly yellow.
• Scent of the papaya: If the papaya emits a light, natural fragrance, it indicates that it is naturally ripe and very sweet. If the papaya has a strong, pungent, or unpleasant smell, it has been ripened with chemicals.
• Pressing the surface of the fruit: Gently press all over the outer skin of the papaya with your hand. If the outer skin is uniformly soft, it indicates that the fruit is ripe. If pressing the outer skin feels hard, without any indentation, and the skin is yellow, it indicates forced ripening.

Pomelo is a fruit rich in essential vitamins for the body. Beyond boosting immunity, pomelo also plays a role in aesthetics, especially during the Lunar New Year. Nestled within the green banana leaves lies the gleaming golden pomelo. The pomelo fruit is round, even, with glossy skin, and fresh green leaves, making it the top choice for grandmothers and mothers.

Throughout history, pomelo has been regarded as a fruit symbolizing prosperity. With the desire for a new year of peace and prosperity, the round, sweet, and refreshing pomelo promises a year of abundance and well-being for the entire family. Displaying pomelos during Tet brings luck to the household.

How to choose ripe pomelo for Tet fruit tray:

• Shiny skin, prominent pores, round fruit, and feels heavy when held up.
  
• The pomelo has a green stem and fresh leaves. The stem must be firmly attached to the fruit. You can check if the pomelo is still fresh by pressing your fingernail into the stem; if it feels soft, the stem is fresh, if it feels tough, the stem is not fresh.

Mango, the king of fruits, reigns supreme in its fragrant sweetness.

Mangoes, with their golden hue, symbolize abundance and prosperity, adorning Tet fruit trays with their meaningful presence.

Dragon fruit, a marvel among fruits, awaits your discovery.

With its elegant and sophisticated appearance, dragon fruit is a choice decoration for ancestral altars on Tet days.

Oranges and mandarins, with their eye-catching colors and essence drawn from deep within the earth, grace the ancestral altar with wishes for success and prosperity in the new year.

Indulge in the refreshing aroma of oranges lingering in the air.

Embark on a journey to discover the pomegranate, a treasure among fruits.

Pomegranate, with its exquisite appearance and delicious flavor, holds a special significance when displayed on the ancestral altar during Tet.

Discover the majesty of the Buddhist pine fruit.

Pineapple, also known as ananas in many countries, is a tropical fruit native to South America. It is cherished for its juicy sweetness and vibrant flavor profile. Incorporating pineapple into your diet can bring a refreshing twist to your meals and snacks. With its rich vitamin C content and digestive enzymes, pineapple is not only delicious but also offers various health benefits. Make sure to select ripe pineapples with a golden exterior and a fragrant aroma for the best taste experience.

Choosing the perfect pineapple for your fruit platter is essential to elevate your festive celebrations. Opt for pineapples with a symmetrical shape, firm texture, and vibrant green leaves. A ripe pineapple should yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit a sweet aroma from its base. Avoid pineapples with soft spots or moldy patches as they indicate overripeness or spoilage. By selecting the finest pineapples, you can ensure a delightful addition to your Lunar New Year festivities.

Peach, also known as Prunus persica, is a fruit highly revered for its delicious taste and symbolic significance. The peach tree, with its majestic blossoms and succulent fruits, holds a special place in Lunar New Year celebrations. As the harbinger of spring, peaches symbolize renewal, vitality, and abundance. Selecting the perfect peaches for your fruit platter requires attention to detail. Opt for fruits with rich hues and firm textures, avoiding any signs of bruising or blemishes. By incorporating peaches into your festive decorations, you can infuse your home with prosperity and good fortune.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the auspicious symbolism of peach fruits. Renowned for their vibrant color and exquisite flavor, peaches embody the spirit of springtime and new beginnings. The tradition of displaying peach fruits during the festive season dates back centuries, symbolizing longevity, happiness, and prosperity. When selecting peaches for your Lunar New Year fruit platter, look for fruits with a deep blush and sweet fragrance. Avoid fruits with soft spots or bruising, as they may indicate spoilage. With their association with good luck and blessings, peach fruits are a must-have for your Lunar New Year celebrations.

Welcome the Lunar New Year with the succulent sweetness of watermelon. As a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, watermelon holds a cherished place in festive traditions. The vibrant red flesh and refreshing taste of watermelon symbolize abundance and happiness for the year ahead. Selecting the perfect watermelon for your Lunar New Year fruit platter requires attention to detail. Look for fruits with a symmetrical shape, firm rind, and deep, resonant sound when tapped. By incorporating watermelon into your celebrations, you can ensure a bountiful and joyous start to the new year.

Watermelon, with its refreshing sweetness and vibrant red flesh, symbolizes good fortune and abundance. Selecting the perfect watermelon for your Lunar New Year fruit platter requires attention to detail. Opt for round and evenly-shaped fruits with a balanced head and tail, indicating a delicious watermelon. Avoid selecting watermelons with a large head and small tail, as they are often unevenly ripened. A ripe and delicious watermelon will have clear flower markings, vibrant colors, and a deep hollow sound when tapped. Its smooth, shiny skin without soft spots or tiny hairs signifies ripeness and sweetness. Give the watermelon a gentle tap - a crisp, hollow sound indicates ripeness, while a dull thud suggests underripeness or overripeness. Compare two watermelons of the same size - the lighter one is likely riper.

Embrace the symbolic significance of pine cones as you adorn your home for the Lunar New Year. Representing abundance and fulfillment, pine cones hold a special place in spiritual beliefs. According to feng shui principles, pine trees with their graceful form and robust vitality, and pine cones growing from the trunk, round, plump, and visually appealing, attract wealth and bring good luck and prosperity. The pine cone, with its desire for abundance, fullness, and prosperity in terms of health or wealth, brings material and spiritual integrity to the homeowner in the new year. Hidden within this meaning are the precious benefits of pine cones, such as preventing various types of cancer, lowering blood pressure, supporting heart health, aiding in diabetes treatment, and benefiting the skeletal system.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the auspicious presence of pine cones. Revered for their spiritual significance and association with abundance, pine cones play a vital role in festive decorations. According to traditional beliefs, pine trees with their graceful appearance and robust vitality, and pine cones emerging from the trunk, round, plump, and visually appealing, attract wealth and invite good fortune and prosperity. The presence of pine cones symbolizes completeness and prosperity in terms of health or wealth, offering both material and spiritual well-being to the household in the new year. This symbolism is rooted in the valuable properties of pine cones, including their ability to prevent various cancers, regulate blood pressure, support cardiovascular health, aid in diabetes management, and promote bone health.

Quất là một loại quá đã rất đỗi quen thuộc đối với người dân miền Bắc, đặc biệt là trong mỗi dịp Tết đến xuân về. Quất được mọi người lựa chọn để chưng Tết không chỉ là cây quất cảnh. Mà quả quất cũng được dùng để trang trí trong mâm ngũ quả trên bàn thờ gia tiên.

Theo quan niệm dân gian, cành quất trĩu quả là tượng trưng cho sức khỏe, bình an, trường thọ và sự may mắn trong tình duyên. Ngoài ra còn thể hiện sự sum vầy và đoàn tụ của gia đình. Cây quất có lá xanh tốt, quả vàng thể hiện sự trù phú, đầy đủ, tươi mới. Theo âm Hán của từ “quất” gần giống âm của từ “cát”. Bày quất trên mâm ngũ quả ý nghĩa mang lại sung túc, ăn nên làm ra, dồi dào sức sống. Các quả quất trông giống như mặt trời và là một biểu tượng tốt đẹp của sự phong phú và hạnh phúc.

Cách chọn quả quất chưng mâm ngũ quả ngày Tết:

• Chọn quả có hình tròn đều, phần đầu và phần đuôi tương xứng với nhau.
  
• Cuống không bị rớt hay héo, quả tươi và không bị dập, hay có vết cấn.