Venerable Thich An Dat - Member of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha - said that the full moon day and the first day of the lunar calendar according to Buddhism are often called soc vong days. Normally, on these days, Vietnamese people remember their ancestors and the deceased and buy items to make offerings.
The full moon day of July is considered a more special occasion, so families prepare many trays of offerings to their ancestors. In addition to the offering tray of vegetarian dishes, salty dishes..., the offering tray of fruit on this occasion is indispensable.
Depending on the situation, the homeowner will prepare a simple or elaborate fruit offering tray. However, the types of cakes and fruits in the offering tray are carefully selected because they carry the meaning of luck or fortune or fortune for the homeowner.
Apples are a popular fruit because of their eye-catching color, beautiful shape, and because the red color means good luck. In feng shui, apples mean peace and harmony in the family.
Apples are sold all year round, easy to buy, and have many prices for customers to choose from.
Grapefruit in Chinese has the same sound as "son", so since ancient times, people have often placed grapefruit on an offering tray with the meaning of asking for good fortune for their children. With its round shape, grapefruit also has a complete meaning, using grapefruit to burn incense to pray for happiness and peace.
In Chinese, pineapple has the same sound as luck. In addition, pineapple in folk culture also carries the meaning of wealth and prosperity, along with a pleasant, faint scent that is also popular.
Pomegranate carries the meaning of togetherness, hope for children and grandchildren, and a prosperous family. With an eye-catching red color and succulent flesh with a sweet taste, pomegranates also mean fertility and bring luck to children.
This time is also the main pomegranate season so you can buy them at an affordable price.
In addition, you can display additional fruits such as peaches, watermelons, oranges, Buddha's hand fruit... Fruits offered to ancestors should be avoided from being bruised or overripe.
You should buy fruits with a variety of colors to make the offering tray more eye-catching and lively.
In addition to fruits, petaled lotus flowers, lilies, chrysanthemums, betel nuts, areca leaves... are also widely used in offerings.
According to research by Lao Dong reporters, pre-arranged fruit trays sell better on this occasion. Each offering tray costs from a few hundred thousand VND to several million VND (with imported fruit). Or, customers can request to make an offering tray with the desired flowers and fruits.
