Why is it bad luck to be sad during the Chinese New Year celebrations? The moment has come for us to honour our gods and ancestors, but what about other religious and cultural practices? See below for information on what to do and what not to do during the Chinese New Year celebrations.
Chinese people believe that because the Spring Festival marks the beginning of a new year, everything you do during the festival will have an impact on your fortune in the following year. There are several Chinese New Year traditions that include dos and don’ts that you should follow.
Find out what the top 10 things are that you should avoid doing. On the first day of the Chinese New Year, some customs are banned, while others are superstitions that last throughout the entire New Year Festival season (from the 1st to the 15th of the Lunar New Year).
1. Crying
Isn’t it true that weeping on the first day of Chinese New Year isn’t a good way to get things started? Those who cry at the Chinese New Year are cursed to cry throughout the year, according to folklore. Another ominous reason is that it is thought that the wailing of youngsters will bring bad luck to the entire household.
2. Don’t Sweep or Take Out The Garbage (House Chores)
On this day, the act of sweeping is related to the act of sweeping away wealth. Taking out the garbage represents the act of expelling good luck or fortune from the home. It may seem surprising that something that is so beneficial could be included on a list of things not to do during Chinese New Year, but there are justifications behind this. Chinese people have always put in long hours on a daily basis, 365 days a year, from the beginning of time.
When Chinese New Year’s Day arrives, people take a day or a few days off from work and refrain from doing any household chores. It is considered unfortunate to work or perform household tasks on the first day of the year since it represents going through difficulties throughout the year.
3. Don’t Wash Clothes
There are even more specific Chinese New Year superstitions that are associated with household tasks. On the first and second days of the new year, people refrain from washing their garments, as these two days are observed as the birthday of the water goddess.
To wash one’s garments is considered an insult to the god of water. Water, the ancients believed, was a symbol of riches. Pouring away water after washing clothes is thought to inspire a pouring away of wealth.
4. Don’t eat porridge for breakfast
Porridge should not be consumed, as it is believed that only the poor have porridge for breakfast in the past. Hence, no one wants to begin the year “poor,” as this is considered a negative omen.
The concept of eating leftovers might not sound particularly tempting. However, eating the leftovers of New Year’s Eve meal represents having more than needed according to Chinese New Year beliefs.
5. No Bad Words & Cursing
During the Lunar New Year celebrations, no one wants to hear phrases that have negative connotations. Avoid using phrases that are associated with death, illness, poverty, ghosts, or other negative emotions. They are replaced by euphemisms when it comes to discussing such subjects, for example, saying “someone has passed away” instead of “someone has died.”
Instead, In accordance with Chinese New Year beliefs, saying pleasant words and being kind to others would bring you happiness and good fortune.
6. Avoid washing hair and getting a haircut
Chinese people should avoid washing their hair on Chinese New Year’s Day. As a result, “Washing one’s wealth away” at the start of the New Year is considered bad luck.
Uncles are said to be cursed if their hair is chopped on this day, so be careful. Having a haircut or a new hairdo before the Chinese New Year is becoming increasingly popular as a way to ward off bad luck and bring in good fortune for the upcoming year.
7. Lending Money
Allowing someone to borrow your money is another one of the things that you should avoid doing during the Chinese New Year celebrations. According to the beliefs associated with the Lunar New Year, you will receive an increasing number of borrowers throughout the year.
In addition to not lending money to others, make sure that you pay back all of the money that you owe before the Chinese New Year’s celebration. Or else, you are the one that brings unfortunate to others.
8. Buying New Shoes
The language is one of the reasons why buying new shoes is one of the things not to do on Chinese New Year. The Chaozhou or Teochew ethnic minority in Thailand is the source of this myth.
In their language, the word “shoes” is “hoi,” which sounds similar to “hai” or “sigh” in English. Sighing at the start of the year implies that you’re already stressed about something, which isn’t a good way to get started, is it?
9. No Odd Amount For Lucky Money / Ang Pau
Don’t give an odd amount of money inside the red envelope. Even numbers are preferred by Chinese people, who hold the idea that good things always come in pairs. However, unlucky numbers like 4 and 40 should be avoided, as 4 sounds like death in Chinese.
10. No Killing
From the 1st to the 15th day of the Lunar New Year, killing should be prevented since blood is regarded as an omen that will bring disasters such as a knife wound or a gory calamity. Chickens, ducks, pigs, and fish are commonly slaughtered before Chinese New Year or on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
Last but not least, we at Tehtalk hopes you enjoyed this insider information on what not to do during the Chinese New Year in 2020. Even if you aren’t of Chinese ancestry and aren’t required to follow these Chinese traditional customs, knowing what colour to wear and how to act is useful when attending Chinese New Year events, this is how you can blend in with the Chinese residents and aim for harmony and peace!
