There are many Chinese New Year traditions about dos and don'ts. Find out the top 18 things you should not do. Some are taboos on the first day of the Chinese New Year and some are superstitions for the whole New Year Festival season (from the 1st to 15th of the Lunar New Year). 1. Avoid taking medicine. Chinese New Year superstitions are traditional beliefs and practices observed during the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. These customs range from avoiding certain actions to performing specific rituals, all aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. 20 Chinese New Year Superstitions 1. Avoid Cleaning on New Year’s Day Similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas, “Chinese New Year is a holiday for people to get together with family members, to celebrate the spring and the start of the new year,” Leung says. More The cleaning should be finished before the New Year's Eve to clean away the dirt and the old of the past year and usher in the new. During the festival, any sweeping should be avoided. From the New Year's Day to the 5th day of the first lunar month, it is a taboo to sweep the trash out or pour water out, otherwise the good luck will be taken away. So, what are some of the Chinese New Year Traditions and Superstitions? Many of the Chinese New Years Traditions & Superstitions are similar to what we posted for New Year’s superstitions and New Year’s lucky foods here in the U.S. Cleaning Superstition. One of the most important traditions during Chinese New Year is the cleaning of the house. Some of those Chinese New Year taboos will only sustain for first few days of the festival, while others may be kept till the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, or even for a whole month. Hereunder are 16 things you should never do during the Chinese New Year. 9. No cleaning during Chinese New Year No personal grooming or housekeeping allowed! Do not wash your hair, cut your nails, use the scissors or sweep the floor on the first day of Chinese New Year. We have probably heard this every year and they all have one thing in common, that is to prevent luck from “escaping”. Today marks the start of the Chinese New Year, with 2025 being called the 'Year of the Snake'. At the beginning of the lunar year, things that happen during the Spring Festival are believed to After the New Year, throw the wrapped up shards into a lake or river. 3. Do not clean or sweep. Before the Spring Festival, there is a day of cleaning to sweep away the bad luck. But during the actual celebration, cleaning is taboo. Cleaning or throwing out garbage may sweep away good luck instead. So buying shoes during the New Year is considered unlucky, as it may cause people to sigh uncontrollably and encounter various misfortunes. 14. Refrigerator Shouldn't Be Empty. During Chinese New Year, people will buy a lot of food to fill the refrigerator, symbolizing that they won't go hungry in the new year. It also shows their wishes for The Chinese word for “book” (shū) sounds exactly the same as the word for “lose” – so buying a book right after ringing in the New Year is considered an invitation for bad luck. Also people like to clean on New Year’s Eve because of the many superstitions that revolve on what you can and cannot do on New Year’s Day. It is believed after all the cleaning is completed, all brooms, brushes, dust pans, and all other cleaning equipment should be put away in order to avoid washing or sweeping your luck away. Origins of No Cleaning Tradition The practice of halting sweeping and mopping on New Year's Day isn't just a convenient excuse to avoid chores after a late night. This custom intertwines cultural beliefs and age-old superstitions, particularly prominent in Chinese and other Asian cultures. Household cleaning takes on a symbolic role as one year transitions [] As it’s a day for superstition, many people follow superstitions and taboos to ensure good luck, fortune, and prosperity. If you’re new to Chinese culture or planning to celebrate Chinese New Year with your loved ones, we’ve covered you. Here are the Chinese new year taboos and superstitions that every Chinese must follow on this festive day. This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of The act of cleaning has special meaning for the Lunar New Year, starting this year on January 29 and falling under the sign of the snake in Chinese zodiac. Celebrated across Asia, Lunar New Year is particularly important in China, where celebrations span weeks and business often shut down for what is also commonly known as the Spring Festival. The elders are very keen on this Chinese New Year superstition. On the first day of the New Year, refrain from doing any cleaning at all, including sweeping the floors. The Chinese zodiac’s traditions and customs resonate through our actions even in contemporary settings. As the Year of the Snake approaches, we should not underestimate the influence of some of the common folklore beliefs. Cleaning and Preparation: The Days Before Chinese New Year. Prior to Chinese New Year, extensive cleaning is performed. The act of cleaning is believed to sweep away misfortune and negativity from the previous year and create a fresh start. This period of intense preparation often involves: Decluttering homes and making space for new blessings Chinese New Year superstitions. One of the biggest festivals in China, Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, has numerous Chinese superstitions that come into play. Cleaning rituals. In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, homes are meticulously cleaned, an act believed to sweep away any lingering bad luck from the previous year.
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