Tết Decorations: Bringing Good Luck and Prosperity into Your Home
January 14, 2025
As we celebrate Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, the tradition of decorating homes with meaningful symbols plays an important role in welcoming a fresh start and inviting good fortune. Here are some common Tết decorations and their special meanings:
Peach Blossom (Hoa Đào) – The symbol of prosperity, good fortune, and love. Peach blossoms are believed to ward off evil spirits and bring happiness to families.
Kumquat Tree (Cây Quất) – A symbol of wealth and abundance, the kumquat tree with its bright fruits is a sign of prosperity, as "quất" sounds similar to the word for wealth in Vietnamese.
Red Envelopes (Lì Xì) – Given to children and young adults, these envelopes represent good luck, happiness, and blessings for the year ahead. The color red is a symbol of luck and protection from evil.
Mâm Ngũ Quả (Five-Fruit Tray) – A colorful and meaningful decoration, the Mâm Ngũ Quả consists of five different fruits, each chosen for its symbolic significance. Typically, the tray includes fruits like papaya, orange, banana, apple, and grapefruit. The number five is considered lucky, and the specific fruits represent wishes for health, wealth, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
Sticky Rice Cake (Bánh Chưng/Bánh Tét) – An essential Tết food item, these square and cylindrical rice cakes symbolize Earth and Heaven and are an offering to ancestors.
As you decorate your home this Tết, each item carries a wish for a prosperous and joyful new year. Wishing you a year filled with happiness, good health, and success!
