Cleaning the house is a long-observed Chinese New Year tradition. The ground, the walls, and every corner of the house need to be cleaned. In Chinese, “Dust” is a homophone for the word “Chen", meaning the old. Therefore a year-end cleaning is needed to drive the old things or the bad luck away from the house, and get ready for a new start. By decluttering and deep-cleaning, you remove stagnant energy and make room for positive chi (energy) to flow freely throughout your home. According to Feng Shui, a clutter-free, clean space enhances your well-being and attracts good fortune for the year ahead. How to spring clean for Chinese New Year: A step-by-step guide 1. Declutter with purpose More specifically, the Lunar New Year tradition involves visiting family and friends starting on the morning of the first day of the new year around 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. House cleaning for Chinese New Year is an important tradition. People clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and negativity from the past year, making space for a fresh start. The word ‘dust’ in Chinese is a homophone for ‘old’, so cleaning is seen as a way to get rid of the old and make room for new blessings. Since Chinese New Year begins with a large reunion meal (tuan nian fan) to gather family at home the night before, it is traditional to start the year off with a clean house. Similar to many Chinese traditions, the act of cleaning is also based on a play on words, where there are similarities between the mandarin word for “dust” and “old”. Chinese new Year Cleaning. Clean the house BEFORE Chinese New Year—not on Chinese New Year’s Day. It’s time to clean out all the bad juju from the past year and start off with a clean slate. That means a DEEP CLEAN. Dusting is very important. Get rid of all the cobwebs and crust of the previous year that might hold you back in the year ahead! Spring Cleaning Rituals for Chinese New Year. Connect with tradition by incorporating spring cleaning rituals associated with Chinese New Year. Dust off and clean key areas of your home, symbolising the removal of stagnant energy. Pay special attention to windows and mirrors, inviting positive energy and clarity into your space. The Tradition of Chinese New Year Spring Cleaning. But first, let’s delve into the rich cultural significance of Chinese New Year spring cleaning. As mentioned, it’s not just about making your home sparkle; it carries a profound meaning deeply rooted in tradition and symbolism. As the vibrant tapestry of the Chinese New Year unfolds, one tradition takes centre stage in the prelude to the grand celebration – 小年扫尘, or "Little New Year's Dust Sweeping." This time-honoured custom is more than just a simple act of cleaning; it holds deep cultural significance as it symbolizes bidding farewell to the old year and The Chinese New Year Spring Cleaning. As the Lunar New Year, or 农历新年, approaches, there is an age-old tradition deeply embedded in Chinese culture that transcends mere tidying up – it's the art of spring cleaning. This ritual goes beyond dusting shelves and sweeping floors; it's about ushering in new energy, casting away the old, and Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, has officially arrived. The starting day of this event changes with the Moon cycle and, this year, the 15-day-long 13. Watching the CCTV New Year’s Gala. On the eve of Chinese New Year, millions of people across China and beyond tune in to watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala. This televised variety show features a wide array of performances, including music, dance, comedy, acrobatics, and more. 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 Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. Chinese tradition and superstition dictate that homes be clean before the start of the new year, ridding the house of the bad luck and misfortune of the past, and opening up spaces for all the new, good luck to enter and infuse your life. 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 There are more Chinese New Year traditions and customs, such as wearing new clothes, staying up late on Chinese New Year's Eve, watching the Spring Festival Gala, etc. How Long Is Chinese New Year Celebrations? Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. The The Lunar New Year’s deep clean and declutter is a tradition that belongs with an older generation. “Everybody’s daily life is pretty clean,” says Yu, who emigrated from China a decade ago. Clean up to prepare for the new year. E ach year is seen as a fresh, new beginning, so starting it off with a clean house is important. “It is believed that house cleaning should be done before This custom of showing respect ensures blessings for the new year. 9. Staying up late “Shousui,” which translates to “after the New Year’s Eve dinner,” is the Chinese New Year tradition of staying awake past midnight. Also known as the New Year’s vigil, t his tradition is believed to prolong the lives of parents and welcome a
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