Top 15 Taboos to Avoid on the 15th of January

The first full moon of the lunar year, known as the January full moon, is considered a day when committing acts of killing is strictly taboo. In ancient beliefs, killing is associated with death and misfortune.

Therefore, on this day, it is essential to avoid killing in order to prevent unnecessary bad luck, such as sickness, accidents, illness, or a decline in financial prosperity throughout the year.

In Vietnamese tradition, the colors white and black symbolize mourning and sorrow. Therefore, on this day, people typically refrain from wearing clothing in these colors or combining them, as they are closely associated with the departed.

Anyone who mistakenly wears black and white on this day is believed to face difficulty in achieving success. To attract good fortune and happiness for the new year, it is better to choose bright, colorful attire that promotes positivity and prosperity.

Many people have the habit of combing their hair or looking in the mirror before bed, especially women who often remove makeup and apply skincare products before sleeping. However, in ancient traditions, people strictly avoided combing hair or looking in the mirror late at night.

The belief was that during the transition between night and day, wandering spirits would be searching for a place to rest. Combing your hair at midnight was thought to cause the hair to shed, releasing vital energy that would invite malevolent spirits or cause disturbances.

Ancient wisdom says, "Misfortune comes from the mouth." The karma of speech is considered the most significant, which is why on the first full moon of the year, people refrain from using vulgar language or swearing to avoid unnecessary troubles, misunderstandings, or conflicts that might affect both their family and themselves throughout the year.

Therefore, it is essential to choose your words carefully, keeping conversations light-hearted and pleasant, thus preventing any avoidable conflicts and rumors.

On the full moon night, when walking through quiet areas, do not turn your head or glance back, even if you feel like someone is following you or calling your name. It could be a mischievous spirit playing tricks on you. Therefore, on this night, avoid going out after dark, refrain from calling names, and avoid walking alone to prevent fear from overshadowing the new year.

Children crying can bring misfortune to a family, often leading to unexpected and undesirable events. On this particular day, parents should ensure their children do not cry excessively. Why? Because, according to tradition, on full moon nights, the spiritual energy is stronger. If a child cries, it might attract the attention of spirits, who could follow the child for life.

When going out, only carry a large amount of money if it's absolutely necessary. Otherwise, it's best to keep only a small amount of cash and avoid carrying valuable items. If you happen to lose anything on this day, it is believed that your financial luck for the year will be negatively affected.

Marital relations are one of the taboos to avoid on the full moon of the first month, the first day of the new year, and during the Tet holidays. These are times when ancestors are believed to return to their family homes for reunion. Engaging in intimate activities during these times is said to disturb the spiritual atmosphere and disrespect the spirits of the ancestors.

Violating this taboo may lead to difficulties for men later in life, especially related to vitality. Children born during this time may be weak and face challenges in life.

The Full Moon of January is considered the most sacred day of the year, and many people visit temples and shrines to pray for good fortune and peace. It’s important to avoid places with heavy spiritual energy such as cemeteries, graveyards, abandoned areas, and hospitals—especially for those with weak constitutions or poor health—to prevent sickness and misfortune in the new year.