Shrimps and crabs
In addition to pork, seafood dishes are also loved by the legendary god of fortune. For that reason, shrimp or crab are often used in the worshiping tray at Via Than Tai.
In addition, more luxurious, many families use gold-plated crabs to worship the God of Wealth. These are all normal crabs, but the shell is covered with gold leaf, which looks very eye-catching. According to many selling places of this gold inlaid, the supply price also ranges from 1.5 million to nearly 3 million VND/set.
The price of some types of seafood in Saigon is quite high today: large white shrimp (30 pieces/kg) cost 200,000 VND – 220,000 VND/kg), giant freshwater prawn (live) costs 280,000 VND – 300,000 VND/kg. Crab meat of 4 pieces/kg, the price ranges from 360,000 VND to 380,000 VND/kg. This year, crab “sold out” because there was no stock, the price increased. Specifically, meat crab costs from 300,000 VND, meat crab from 650,000 VND/kg. Many small traders predict that there will be no crabs for sale on this year’s God of Wealth day.
Whole grilled snakehead fish
Besides the set of “three slugs”, people often worship God with “grilled snakehead fish”.
According to folklore, grilled snakehead fish is the favorite dish of the God of Wealth. Besides, people in the South also believe that snakes are strong animals and have leaping properties, symbolizing luck and success.
This snakehead fish must be left whole, not shaved, not finned, tailed, grilled. Leaving the snakehead fish as it is above is to remember that the father was very poor in the early days of reclamation, he did not mind about the whole fish scale, as long as he could nourish himself and secure his job, please .
According to many small traders, the price of grilled snakehead fish this year will increase more than last year because the price of fish imported from traders increases. Last year’s selling price was from 150 to 250 thousand VND / fish, this year the price increased to nearly 300 thousand VND / fish depending on the weight of the fish (price includes vegetables and noodles).
Fruit tray
In order to make the altar of the God of Fortune more complete, it is indispensable for flowers and fruits. Fresh fruit is often chosen such as pineapple, ripe banana, or lucky five fruits such as mango, citrus, Buddha’s hand, apple, grape, … and a vase of bright colors such as chrysanthemum, lily, flower coin.
Along with that is a set of paper money and votive paper., a pack of cigarettes, with two ends of a cigarette sticking out of the bag, a jar of salt, a jar of rice and a jar of water filled with water are placed in the middle of the two statues of the gods of Fortune and Earth, symbolizing life. enough to live for the whole year, so it must be replaced at the end of the year.
Some families also buy gold and place it on the altar of the God of Fortune to pray for good luck, and then bring it on their body to wish for a year of good fortune.