Vietnamese New Year Temple Customs of Fortune Sticks and Leaf Picking: Meanings and Proper Practices
Visiting temples at the start of the new year, drawing fortune sticks (xin xam), and picking leaves (hai loc) are beautiful traditional customs of the Vietnamese people, expressing hopes for a peaceful, lucky, and prosperous year. These practices are not merely rituals for luck but also moments for spiritual connection and setting aside worldly worries.
Spiritual Meanings
Fortune Sticks (Xin Xam): These are numbered sticks kept in a bamboo or wooden tube at temples and shrines. After sincerely praying, the devotee shakes the tube until one stick falls out. The number corresponds to a poem or message offering guidance on fate, career, love, or family. Drawing a fortune stick is not just about foreseeing the future; it is a form of self-reflection, seeking advice and reassurance for life's decisions.
Leaf Picking (Hai Loc): This is a popular practice during the New Year, especially at midnight. People pick a small branch from a tree in the temple yard, called "loc," believing they have received blessings from heaven and Buddha. The tradition stems from the observation that trees burst with new life in spring, symbolizing vitality and renewal. Bringing home a branch is a wish for a year full of energy and good fortune. Some instead bring home a burning incense stick to place on the family altar as "incense loc."
Proper Practices
According to cultural researchers and monks, these customs should be practiced with sincerity and solemnity, avoiding superstition and cultural distortion.
#### Attitude and Demeanor
- Be Solemn and Sincere: Buddhist rituals emphasize that "solemnity is the essence of ceremony." Buddha does not require grand offerings but values a sincere heart. When entering a temple, maintain a respectful demeanor: walk softly, speak quietly, and do not push or shove.
- Pray in the Right Order: First, pray for national peace and prosperity, good weather, and an end to epidemics. Only then should you pray for personal and family well-being. Praying for peace and health is already considered wonderful.
- Protect the Environment: Limit burning incense and votive paper to protect the environment and temple artifacts. The money saved can be donated to charity. Keep your mind pure, avoid speaking ill, and do not litter.
#### How to Perform the Customs
- Drawing Fortune Sticks: Before drawing, pray sincerely and state your wishes. Shake the tube gently until one stick falls. If multiple sticks fall, put them back and try again. Read the interpretation carefully and reflect on it, without being overly worried if the fortune seems bad, as it is often advisory.
- Picking Leaves: Traditionally, leaves from trees like banyan, sung, sanh, and si are considered most auspicious, while tung, chrysanthemum, bamboo, and mai bring joy and health. However, many temples now discourage arbitrary leaf picking to protect the landscape. Instead, they may offer artificial branches or incense as loc.
Regional Differences
While visiting temples at New Year is a common custom, there are regional variations:
| Feature | Northern Vietnam | Southern Vietnam |
|---|---|---|
| Offerings | Often elaborate trays with incense, flowers, fruit, votive paper, sometimes cooked food (sticky rice, chicken), and a written prayer in Chinese characters | Simpler, often just flowers and fruit, no cooked food |
| Prayer style | Rhythmic, poetic prayers with melodic intonation | Simple, direct "nom" prayers, expressing wishes plainly |
Avoiding Distortions
Today, some practices have become distorted, such as placing real or fake money on altars, stuffing money into statues' hands or mouths, or burning votive paper within the temple grounds. The focus on personal gain overshadows the quest for inner peace. Inappropriate attire is also an issue. Thich Minh Quang, Vice Abbot of Bai Dinh Pagoda, emphasizes that visiting a temple is a way to relax the body and mind, reducing greed, anger, and ignorance. By speaking kindly, doing good deeds, and maintaining a virtuous mind, one can achieve a peaceful life.
Conclusion
The customs of drawing fortune sticks and picking leaves are valuable spiritual heritage that should be preserved. The most important aspect is not the size of offerings or the nature of the fortune, but the sincere and virtuous heart of each person. Visit temples with a pure mind, pray for the best for the nation, family, and self, and act with civility to maintain the sanctity of the temple.
