The saying “no matter how poor you are, you should never eat golden eel” is a piece of folk wisdom passed down by our ancestors. Although there is no clear scientific basis for it, there are some cultural and traditional reasons behind this belief:
The Golden Eel is considered an “unlucky” animal
In many East Asian cultures, especially in Vietnam, the golden eel is believed to be an unlucky creature. It is thought that eating golden eel may bring bad luck, such as misfortune or difficulties in life.
Symbolizing poverty
In some folk beliefs, the golden eel is associated with poverty and hardship. While golden eel can be seen as a nutritious and delicious dish, it is often linked in stories to families or situations of financial struggle and scarcity.
Connection to folk beliefs
In many folk tales, the golden eel is considered a “strange creature” with ties to negative aspects of life. Thus, ancestors advised against eating golden eel to avoid attracting misfortune.
However, this is merely a folk belief, not a scientific fact. In reality, golden eel is still a nutritious dish that many people enjoy. Yet, this story reflects the influence of cultural and spiritual factors in people’s lives.