Arranging the five-fruit tray on Tet day is an important tradition in Vietnamese culture. Each region has its unique way of arranging the beautiful and meaningful five-fruit tray. Let’s learn about the tradition of displaying the Tet day fruit tray with Kamereo in the following article!
Table of Contents
- What is a Five-Fruit Tray?
- Meaning of the Tet Five-Fruit Tray
- How to display a five-fruit tray on Tet holiday in three regions
- Similarities and Differences in Tet Five-Fruit Trays Across the Three Regions
- Choosing Fruits for Tet:
- Various Beautiful Tet Five-Fruit Tray Arrangements:
- Beautiful and Meaningful Tet Five-Fruit Tray Images
- Some Notes to Avoid When Arranging Tet Five-Fruit Trays
- Conclusion:
What is a Five-Fruit Tray?
A Five-Fruit Tray is a term used to describe a fruit arrangement consisting of five different types of fruits. This fruit tray is typically presented on ancestral altars or guest reception tables during the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, Tet. Various regions have distinct ways of arranging and decorating the Five-Fruit Tray.
The composition of a Tet Five-Fruit Tray includes five types of fruits chosen to convey the wishes of the household, expressed through their names, colors, and the overall arrangement. Today, displaying the Tet Five-Fruit Tray is not only a traditional spiritual practice but has also evolved into an art form with profound meanings.
Meaning of the Tet Five-Fruit Tray
The Tet Five-Fruit Tray usually consists of five different types of fruits, as mentioned in the Vu Lan Bon sutra, representing the five blessings that people aspire to achieve. These blessings include Longevity, Prosperity, Health, Virtue, and a Peaceful End. The number five symbolizes these five blessings, and each type of fruit is chosen for its symbolic significance.
The Meaningful Composition of a Tet Five-Fruit Tray
The fruits commonly found on a Tet Five-Fruit Tray and their meanings include:
- Pomelo and watermelon: Representing roundness and freshness, symbolizing a year full of abundance and luck.
- Persimmons and mandarins: Bright red and orange colors symbolize luck and success during Tet.
- Pears: Sweetness and smoothness symbolize a smooth and favorable journey in all aspects of life.
- Pomegranates: With many seeds, they symbolize the desire for many descendants and family happiness.
- Peaches: Symbolizing progress and development, often associated with the expectation of happiness through marriage for daughters.
Other fruits such as apples, dragon fruit, coconut, betel leaves, and areca nuts may also be included, each carrying its own symbolism.
In Buddhism, the colors of the Tet Fruit Tray represent the “Five Virtues,” including faith, perseverance, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. The arrangement reflects the aspiration for spiritual and moral development.
Tet Five-Fruit Tray Composition
The specific fruits displayed on the Tet Five-Fruit Tray often include:
- Pomelo
- Persimmons
- Pomegranates
- Mangoes
- Bananas
- Dragon fruit
- Apples
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Longans
How to display a five-fruit tray on Tet holiday in three regions
Northern Tet Five-Fruit Tray Arrangement
In the northern region, a perfect Tet Five-Fruit Tray includes a harmonious combination of fruits such as green bananas, pomelos, Buddha’s hand citrons, peaches, red apples, kumquats, chili peppers, and pineapples. The arrangement adheres to the principles of the Five Elements: Metal (white), Wood (green), Water (black), Fire (red), and Earth (yellow).
Beautiful Tet Five-Fruit Tray in the Central Region
Facing frequent storms and droughts, the central region focuses more on the sincere presentation of a Tet Five-Fruit Tray rather than its visual appeal. Fruits like dragon fruit, bananas, watermelons, sapodillas, papayas, plums, oranges, and persimmons are commonly included.
Southern Tet Five-Fruit Tray and its Significance
In the southern region, people often arrange the Tet Five-Fruit Tray with coconut, betel leaves, areca nuts, and mangoes, expressing wishes for a year of abundance. Certain fruits are avoided due to phonetic associations with negative meanings. The Southern Tet Five-Fruit Tray is usually initiated with placing papaya, coconut, and mango as they are larger and heavier, followed by other fruits based on preference.
Similarities and Differences in Tet Five-Fruit Trays Across the Three Regions
As explored earlier, the tradition of arranging Tet Five-Fruit Trays is a distinctive cultural feature of the Vietnamese people. Each region of the country has its unique characteristics in fruit arrangement practices.
Common Elements:
Decorating Tet Five-Fruit Trays is a unique and traditional form of beauty, often seen during Tet and festivals in Vietnam. While different regions may have varied decoration styles, the common purpose is to show respect and gratitude to ancestors and elders, preserving cultural and traditional values for future generations.
Differences:
- Northern Region: The Northern Tet Five-Fruit Tray requires diversity in colors and adherence to the principles of the Five Elements. The arrangement aims for a harmonious balance in hues, following the principles of Metal (white), Wood (green), Water (black), Fire (red), and Earth (yellow).
- Central Region: Fruits are often presented in a simple and down-to-earth manner, reflecting a closer connection to daily life without imposing excessive aesthetic elements.
- Southern Region: The philosophy here is often “Seeking abundance, using just enough.” The arrangement avoids fruits with negative connotations or unpleasant sounds. The focus is on a practical and meaningful display.
Choosing Fruits for Tet:
To create an aesthetically pleasing, fresh, and long-lasting Tet Five-Fruit Tray, careful fruit selection is crucial. Here are some tips for choosing fruits for Tet decoration:
- Select fresh and ripe fruits to maintain vibrant colors and prolonged display.
- Choose fruits that feel firm, without dents or scratches, while retaining stems and leaves.
Limit washing fruits, as water retention can lead to quick wilting or spoilage.
Various Beautiful Tet Five-Fruit Tray Arrangements:
There are numerous ways to decorate Tet Five-Fruit Trays, and the choice of fruits can vary based on local beliefs. Below are examples of unique Tet Five-Fruit Tray arrangements:
How to arrange a Tet Five-Fruit Tray without bananas
Fruits needed to make a five-fruit tray for Tet: Fruits needed: 12 kumquats, 5 mangoes, 1 sapodilla, 1 Buddha’s hand citron, 1 dragon fruit, 1 pear, 1 apple, 8 chili peppers, and kumquat for decoration.
Instructions for distilling fruits on Tet holiday:
- Step 1: Arrange kumquats in the center of the plate.
- Step 2: Alternate mangoes and kumquats around the plate.
- Step 3: Place dragon fruit in the middle, above the kumquat, surrounded by sapodilla, Buddha’s hand citron, apple, pear, and chili peppers.
- Step 4: Decorate the spaces with kumquat for an aesthetically pleasing Tet Five-Fruit Tray.
How to Arrange Tet Five-Fruit Trays
Joyful Tet Five-Fruit Tray Ingredients:
- 14 kumquats
- 1 watermelon
- 1 pear
- 1 Buddha’s hand citron
- 1 apple
- 4 mangoes
- 1 sapodilla
- 10 chili peppers
- Kumquats for decoration
- Kumquats (optional)
Step-by-step Guide to Arranging Tet Five-Fruit Trays:
- Step 1: Start by placing the watermelon in the center of the plate, while arranging a layer of kumquats to cover the entire surface of the plate.
- Step 2: Position the Buddha’s hand citron and pear on the sides to ensure the stability of the watermelon. Additionally, place mangoes and kumquats in front and behind, respectively.
- Step 3: Next, place an apple and a sapodilla next to the watermelon, slightly above the surface.
- Step 4: Lastly, arrange chili peppers around the edge of the plate, alternating between kumquats and kumquats to fill the remaining empty spaces. This creates a vibrant and visually appealing Tet Five-Fruit Tray.
Beautiful Tet Five-Fruit Tray with Watermelon at the Center
Arranging Tet Five-Fruit Tray Ingredients:
- 1 bunch of bananas
- 1 mangosteen
- 2 apples
- 1 pear
- 10 kumquats
- 2 sapodillas
- 1 Buddha’s hand citron
- 1 dragon fruit
- 2 mangoes
- Chili peppers, kumquats (optional)
Step-by-step Guide to Arranging Tet Five-Fruit Tray:
- Step 1: Firstly, place the bunch of bananas in the center of the plate.
- Step 2: Following that, add 1 mango and 2 sapodillas on either side beneath the bunch of bananas. Place 2 apples firmly on the front side.
- Step 3: Adjacent to the bunch of bananas, place 2 kumquats stacked on top of each other on each side to add uniqueness and visual appeal.
- Step 4: At the back, place the dragon fruit in the middle of the bunch of bananas, surrounded by mangoes, Buddha’s hand citron, and pear. Simultaneously, arrange kumquats underneath to stabilize the entire Tet Five-Fruit Tray.
- Step 5: Finally, place the mangosteen at the back, as well as chili peppers and kumquats around the edge of the plate to create an overall visually pleasing display.
Decorating a Beautiful Tet Five-Fruit Tray for Tet Celebration
Ingredients for Decorating Tet Five-Fruit Tray:
- 1 watermelon
- 2 mangoes
- 1 kumquat
- 2 mangosteens
- 1 papaya
- 1 coconut
- 2 apples
- 2 pomegranates
Step-by-step Guide to Decorating Tet Five-Fruit Tray:
- Step 1: Arrange the larger fruits as pillars. Then, intersperse smaller fruits to create a balanced and attractive structure.
- Step 2: Next, you can decorate around with accessories such as paper fans, flowers, lucky money leaves, and hanging ornaments. Finally, secure them in place using glue guns.
Beautiful and Meaningful Tet Five-Fruit Tray Images
In addition to the mentioned ways of arranging Tet Five-Fruit Trays, each family can creatively explore various styles to create focal points. However, the chosen fruits should ensure both vibrant colors and meaningful representation. Below are beautiful and unique images of Tet Five-Fruit Trays that you can refer to:
Some Notes to Avoid When Arranging Tet Five-Fruit Trays
The decoration of Tet Five-Fruit Trays is based on the Eastern philosophy of the Five Elements. Therefore, adherence to this principle is crucial to avoid selecting fruits that lack significance or fail to represent the five colors of the Five Elements.
While it is common to think that fruits for Tet Five-Fruit Trays should look shiny and attractive, this can lead to the fruits drying out quickly and reducing display longevity. To address this, use a damp cloth to clean the outer peel of the fruits. Then, apply a thin layer of cooking oil to create a glossy appearance, making the fruits look appealing while maintaining freshness.
When arranging bananas, choose uniformly sized ones that point upward like an open hand, creating a supportive appearance. Additionally, the quantity of bananas should be an odd number, symbolizing prosperity and protection for the entire family.
Prioritize larger-sized bananas with long, thick fingers, even skin texture, and uniform color (either light yellow or green). Importantly, the bananas should emit a gentle, fragrant scent, similar to the freshness of lemons.
Read more:
- Compilation: 18 traditional Lunar New Year Tết day dishes of the Vietnamese people
- A compilation of 12 delicious Tet cakes for the lively year 2024
- What is hand-squeezed lemon tea? List of recent hand-squeezed lemon tea shops
Conclusion:
This concludes all the information about Tet Five-Fruit Trays, including the types of fruits used, simple and meaningful arrangements, and cultural significance. Although each region may have its distinct characteristics, the Tet fruit decoration culture is harmonious throughout Vietnam. Stay tuned to the Food Trends section for continuously updated and interesting information!