Chinese New Year (also known as Lunar New Year) is just around the corner! Wondering about the essential ‘dos and don’ts’? Let’s dive deep into the traditions you need to know so you don’t accidentally wash away your luck!
Here are 10 things you should never do during the festivities:
1. Don’t Sweep or Take Out the Trash
Sweeping on New Year’s Day is seen as sweeping your wealth away, and this is the most famous and MUST-KNOW rule! Similarly, taking out the trash and sweeping the floor symbolizes dumping your good luck out of the house. So, how do you avoid this? Make sure to deep clean your house before CNY arrives, so you can keep all that incoming good fortune locked inside!
2. Don’t Borrow or Lend Money
Starting the year in debt—or having people owe you money—is a major red flag that could lead to a year of financial struggle! Tradition dictates that all debts MUST be paid off before New Year’s Eve to ensure a clean slate. So, how do you avoid this money trap? Settle your balances early and avoid asking for any loans until the festival ends, so you can start the Year of the Horse with total financial freedom!
3. Don’t Use Sharp Objects
Knives, scissors, and even needles should be tucked away because tradition says those sharp edges will ‘cut’ the stream of wealth and luck flowing into your home! Most families believe that using these tools on New Year’s Day slices through your good fortune. So, how do you avoid this? Make sure all your food prep is finished BEFORE the clock strikes midnight, so you can keep your luck intact and your year prosperous!
4. Don’t Wash or Cut Your Hair
In Mandarin, the word for hair (fa) is the same character used in ‘becoming wealthy’ (facai), making your locks a symbol of your fortune! Washing or cutting your hair on New Year’s Day is viewed as literally washing your wealth down the drain or severing your path to success. So, how do you avoid this? Get your haircut and hair wash done BEFORE the big day arrives, so you can keep your prosperity growing all year long!
5. Don’t Wear Black or White
Black and white clothing is traditionally associated with funerals and mourning in Chinese culture, so please avoid wearing these two colours during the New Year! Wearing them is seen as inviting bad vibes when you should be celebrating. So, how do you avoid this? Go for RED instead—the ultimate colour of energy, luck, and warding off evil spirits—to make sure you stay ‘ONG’ the whole year!
6. Avoid “Negative” Speech
Words associated with death, sickness, poverty, or ‘ghosts’ are strictly forbidden during the festivities! Even saying the number four—which sounds like the word for ‘death’—is avoided to keep the energy positive. So, how do you avoid this? Keep the vibes high by focusing on auspicious greetings and happy topics to ensure your year is filled with goodness and luck!
7. Don’t Break Ceramics or Glass
Breaking a plate or bowl is considered a bad omen for your family’s unity and finances—definitely something you want to avoid! In Chinese culture, a broken dish symbolizes a ‘crack’ in your luck. So, how do you fix it if an accident happens? Quickly wrap the pieces in red paper and shout ‘Sui sui ping an!’ This clever pun on the word for ‘broken’ transforms the accident into a wish for peace and safety, making sure no bad things happen to you or your family!
8. No Crying or Arguing
Try to keep your cool! It is believed that if you cry or start a fight during the New Year, you’ll be dealing with conflict and sorrow for the rest of the year. Parents are even extra lenient with their children during this time just to prevent any tantrums from breaking the peace. So, how do you avoid this bad energy? If anything happens, just take a deep breath and try to solve it in a positive way to keep your luck smooth and your family happy!
9. Don’t finish every last bite of your first meal
For Chinese families, it is tradition to keep some dishes over from the Reunion Dinner to the next day. This is a powerful symbol that you will have abundance and nice meals throughout the whole year! So, how do you avoid a ‘hungry’ future? Even if the food is delicious, please remember to keep some leftovers to ensure you have ‘Nian Nian You Yu’—meaning you’ll have a surplus of wealth and food every single year!
10. Don’t Give Inappropriate Gifts
The ‘Art of Giving’ has strict rules to avoid bad vibes during the New Year! Giving clocks (sounds like a funeral), pears (sounds like separation), or shoes (which sounds like ‘sending someone away’) is a major no-no. So, how do you avoid a gift-giving fail? Stick to lucky fruits like oranges or traditional red packets, and always avoid white or black wrapping paper to keep your friendships and luck strong!
Besides knowing how to bless others, you also need to dress the part to look your best and maximize your ANGPAO collection! Wearing the right colors isn’t just about tradition; it’s about attracting all that wealth and luck to your doorstep. Looking for the perfect outfit to stay ‘ONG’ all season? Shop here for more stylish CNY options and get ready to gallop into the Year of the Horse!
