Tet, or the Lunar New Year, is the most important and festive holiday in Vietnam. It is a time for family reunion, ancestral worship, and cultural celebration. One of the essential and indispensable items on the ancestral altar during Tet is the five-fruit tray, or mâm ngũ quả in Vietnamese. The five-fruit tray is not only a decoration, but also a manifestation of the spirit and the values of the Vietnamese people.
The origin and the meaning of the five-fruit tray
The five-fruit tray’s origin is linked to a legend involving King Hung Vuong’s sons competing to succeed him. They were tasked with presenting the tastiest and most significant food for their ancestors during Tet. Lang Lieu, the youngest and humble son, chose rice as the main ingredient and created two cakes: a square one representing the earth and a round one representing the sky. The purpose was to show gratitude and respect to heaven and earth, highlighting the harmonious balance of nature. The king was deeply moved and declared Lang Lieu as the future king of the country.
Since then, the Vietnamese people have adopted the custom of offering rice cakes and fruits to their ancestors on Tet. The number of fruits varies from three to seven, depending on the region and the belief of the people. However, the most common number is five, which represents the five elements of the oriental philosophy: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements also correspond to the five colors of the fruits: white, green, yellow, red, and purple. The five fruits are arranged in a balanced and harmonious way on a wooden tray, forming a cone shape. The five-fruit tray not only symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of the Vietnamese to heaven and earth and their ancestors, but also demonstrates their aspiration for prosperity and happiness in the new year.
The diversity and the beauty of the five-fruit tray
The five-fruit tray varies from one region to another, due to the differences in climate and fruit crops. In the north, the five-fruit tray usually consists of bananas, finger citrons, watermelons, oranges, and kumquats. In the south, the five-fruit tray usually consists of coconuts, papayas, custard apples, mangos, and figs. In the central region, the five-fruit tray usually consists of pineapples, pomelos, star fruits, dragon fruits, and jackfruits. Each fruit has its own meaning and function, depending on the shape, the color, and the name. For example, bananas and finger citrons symbolize protection and blessing, watermelons and pomelos symbolize fertility and abundance, oranges and kumquats symbolize wealth and luck, coconuts and custard apples symbolize health and longevity, and pineapples and dragon fruits symbolize success and power.
The five-fruit tray is not only a display of the natural beauty and diversity of Vietnam, but also a reflection of the creativity and artistry of the Vietnamese people. They carefully select, wash, and peel the fruits, and arrange them in a pleasing and elegant way. They also decorate the fruits with flowers, leaves, and paper cuttings, adding more colors and patterns to the tray. The five-fruit tray is a feast for the eyes and the soul, as well as a tribute to the ancestors and the gods.
The five-fruit tray is a unique and meaningful tradition of Tet, which has been preserved and passed down for generations. It is not only a gift, but also a message of hope and love for the new year. It is a symbol of the culture and the identity of the Vietnamese people, who are proud of their origin and their values.
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