Every month on the 1st and the full moon day of the lunar calendar, Vietnamese families prepare rituals to worship their ancestors and gods to pray for peace, health, luck, success, etc. Why choose to burn incense on special occasions? The following article will decipher the meaning of the 1st and full moon day of the lunar month.
- Meaning of the 1st and the full moon of every month
- What to do on the 1st and the full moon day?
- What should abstain on the 1st and the full moon day?
Meaning of the 1st and the full moon of every month
In the Vietnamese belief concept, the 1st day of the lunar month is called the Soc day (beginning). On the other hand, the full moon day (day 15) is called the day of Vong (seeing far and wide). According to the contemplation of the previous generation, on these two days, the moon and the sun will be symmetrical, creating a clear line and illuminating all souls. People on this day will wash away all the dark stains in their hearts to become pure, like being born again.
On the other hand, the ancients believed that when the moon and sun were clear, the gods and ancestors would sense the wishes of the mortals. Therefore, Vietnamese people consider the 1st, the full moon day of the lunar month, to be the best time to remember ancestors, pray to the gods for peace, health, luck, etc.
What to do on the 1st and the full moon day?
- Burn incense to pray for peace and good luck
- Eat lucky food
- Bring appropriate feng shui items
- Fresh flower bath
Burn incense to pray for peace and good luck
As we learn the meaning of the first day and the full moon day of the lunar calendar above, this is the best time of the month. So you can buy a ceremony at home to burn incense or go to the temple to offer incense to pray to them to bless your family for a new month of blessings, health, and luck. Besides, incense should be an odd number.
Eat lucky food
The ancients believed that eating red foods on auspicious days will help the whole month meet many bright things, increase luck, and reduce lousy luck. So you can "touch chopsticks" on the full moon day, the 1st, with the following dishes: Gac sticky rice, watermelon, papaya, persimmon, pomegranate, red snapper,…. In addition, fasting will make you pure and light, actively supporting the purification of body and mind.
Bring appropriate feng shui items.
According to feng shui experts, if each person carries a suitable item on the 1st and the full moon day, it can help him have peace of mind. To find your lucky item, you need to rely on the octagonal interpretation. That is, it is necessary to consider the four pillars of Time - Day - Month - Year of birth to know which of the five elements you belong to, and then choose the most appropriate complimentary item. The most suitable feng shui items to wear on people are still jewelry (bracelets, rings, necklaces) or accessories (phone hangers, keychains).
Fresh flower bath
In some regions, it is known that there is a unique custom on the first day of the lunar month. It is a fresh perfume bath. Specifically, each family will choose seven types of flowers with bright colors (except white) and then drop them into a pot of warm water. Using that water to bathe will help you wash away all bad luck and welcome new fortune.
What should abstain on the 1st and the full moon day?
- Abstain from cutting hair: many people believe that cutting hair on the 1st, full moon day will make the whole month's fortune consumed.
- Abstain from lending money: at the beginning of the month, when the full moon comes out, it will cause a "storm" for the whole month.
- Abstain from breaking bowls, plates, cups, and thermos: grandparents think breaking symbolizes separation and rift in the family. Therefore, people often avoid breaking dishes, kettles, glass cups, and thermos on the first day of the month or the full moon day.
- Abstain from swearing and mentioning risky things: for the whole month to be "red" and avoid being wrapped in the market, people need to avoid saying unlucky words or using vulgar words.
- Abstain from visiting newborn women: visiting pregnant women at the beginning of the month or on the full moon day will bring bad luck and bad business.
-Abstain from sex: the ancients assumed that sex on the 1st or 15th day of the lunar calendar would lead to bad luck, even great tribulation.
