12 things to avoid on the first day of Tet

1. Do not sweep the floor

On the first day of the New Year, Vietnamese people absolutely abstain from touching a broom, because according to traditional beliefs, sweeping the house during this time means sweeping all the new year's fortune out of the house.

2. Do not use fire

On the first day of the year, if you ask for fire, no one will give it to you. Because red fire symbolizes luck. Giving fire at the beginning of the year is like giving your luck to someone else.

3. Do not give water

Like fire, water is an element in the five elements, which has a very important meaning in human life and activities. Water is also an element that generates wealth. The image of full water is also likened to abundant wealth. Therefore, giving water on the first day of the month should also be avoided.

4. Don't go to wish New Year's greetings on the first morning

According to the concept, the role of the first person to enter the house on the first morning of the new year is very important. If the homeowner has good luck in the new year, it is okay, but if they encounter bad luck, it is easy to blame the first person to enter the house on the first day of the new year for having "heavy luck". That is why on the first morning of the new year, Vietnamese people often stay at home to burn incense and worship, then go to wish their parents and relatives a happy new year.

5. Avoid breaking things

Breaking dishes or teacups on the first day of Tet is taboo because breakage creates separation, severance, and is an unfavorable sign for your relationships.

6. No discord

On the first day of the year, no matter how much disagreement or annoyance people have with each other over anything, they still need to keep the peace, avoid arguing and quarreling with each other on the first day of the year. This is to avoid an unhappy atmosphere during Tet.

7. Don't say unlucky things

On the first day of Tet, you should only say good, happy, lucky things. You should not cry, be sad, or talk about the bad luck and misfortune of the old year.

No matter what kind of cabinet, including wardrobes, should not be opened on the first day of Tet, because this will cause loss of money and luck for the whole year. Therefore, ancient people often prepared clothes to wear and hung them outside before New Year's Eve.

9. Abstain from sexual intercourse

During Tet, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, Eastern people have the concept of abstinence, avoiding intimacy between men and women. Because, according to ancient beliefs, having sex on these days will lead to bad luck, misfortune, even great disaster.

10. Avoid eating unlucky foods

On the first day of the year, Vietnamese people do not eat dishes such as duck, silver carp, or dog meat because they believe that these are not good foods for the new year. In addition, some regions do not eat shrimp because they are afraid of… going backwards like shrimp. If they eat shrimp on Tet, next year's work will go backwards instead of forwards.

11. Avoid sitting or standing in front of the door

Standing or sitting in front of the main door during the New Year is not only unseemly but also considered an act that harms the family's prosperity. The good energy of the New Year entering the house will be blocked and dissipated, causing the family to be unlucky, unsuccessful, and unhappy.

12. Avoid patting or putting your arm around other people's shoulders

This intimate, rude action, if performed during the first days of the new year, is likely to cause discomfort, even negative reactions. Many people believe that when someone pats them on the shoulder or puts their arm around them during Tet, they will have bad luck, experience sadness in love or family happiness.