Culture
12 Zodiac animal theory refers to the collection of 12 animals that represent year and age of people, including: Rat, Buffalo( Ox in Chinese culture), Tiger, Cat( or Rabbit in Chinese culture), Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Hen, Dog, Pig. They are made up to 6 pairs that negatively impact each other. Also, there are pairs that positively influence each other which means that bringing fortune, success and good to each other.
Sometimes, choosing the first visitor to come to the family depends on other factors as well. Some people might not have the most matching astrology with the household head but they are known to be amiable and " luck-generator " which are preferred by the host. The vice versa also holds water. The Xong Dat tradition has grown in importance over years, as people place a higher value in spiritual and belief life and so is choosing the right one to Xong Dat.
Being the first visitor is not easy
Being invited to be the first guest of the year is both an honor and a challenging responsibility to anyone. The best time for“ xong dat” is from the midnight of New Year’ s Eve until the morning of the first day of Lunar Calendar’ s New Year. However, the host and the guest normally come into an agreement in advance about the time deemed most suitable for the host’ s zodiac sign.
A successful and humorous gentleman, smiling happily, giving wishes is believed to bring the lucky new year to every member in the house. Before coming to the host’ s home, the guest is expected to spend time visiting pagodas or temples praying for the fortune, health and achievement for the upcoming New Year. Afterward, he can bring some buds, tree branches with fruits or a bottle of wine, which stand for vitality and wealth as gifts for the host. He can also give some lucky money wrapped in red envelope for small children, in the hope for health and wisdom.
Does it sound fun and easy? Definitely not if you know that you are likely to be responsible for the family’ s whole year luckiness. Of course, no one blames you for their bad luck, yet they may not choose you as the first visitor for the next year.
All hosts are nice at the time of Xong dat?
The answer is yes. Showing the generous hospitality is essential for the host in preparation for the first visit of the year. To welcome the guest visiting the house, a small party with some simple Tet’ s food such as“ banh chung”- sticky rice cake or sweet preserved fruits, and rice wine is considered indispensable.
Moreover, the host also needs to wish the guest all the best for the New Year and gives him some lucky money in return. In the southern of Vietnam, the host puts a small bucket of water and a branch of apricot blossom so that the guest can splash the water and scatter the flower on the way leading to the house. Water and apricot blossom’ s petals symbolize“ multiplying the luck”, according to Vietnamese’ s beliefs.
22 The MAG Vung Tau