Style Very Superstitious: The Do’s and Don’ts of Chinese New Year Justin Wong on January 26, 2017 . Every culture has their own superstitions: Americans believe it’s bad luck if you cross paths with a black cat, Japanese avoid taking pictures in groups of three because it brings misfortune — even death — upon the individual in the middle, and Greeks throw salt over their left 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 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. Real Life; Chinese New Year; Chinese New Year Superstitions to avoid – or risk a year of bad luck Happy Chinese New Year 2024 – here are some common superstitions you should avoid today if you want to ward off bad luck during the Year of the Dragon Chinese New Year 2025 falls on Jan 29, ushering in the vibrant and festive Spring Festival. and good luck. It is believed to ward off evil spirits and attract positive energy. Accidentally All debts should be settled before the New Year. Visiting someone to collect a debt on New Year's Day is also believed to bring bad luck. 14. Killing Animals. Killing animals should be avoided from the 1st to the 15th of the Chinese New Year. Blood is considered a bad omen, leading to misfortunes such as knife wounds or bloody disasters. The house is cleansed thoroughly to sweep out any bad luck and to make way for good luck in the new year. No cleaning on the first day of the year, however, as you can sweep away the luck of the new year. Using knives, scissors, or anything sharp on New Year’s Day is considered bad luck as you will “cut off” the New Year’s fortune. 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. Jumping over a fire is a traditional folk custom observed during the Lunar New Year. Folklore has it that the crackling sound of a burning fire wards off evil spirits and bad luck. Consider my daughter, Heidi, born in the Year of the Dog. She faced what is termed “offending the Grand Duke” or “Fan Tai Sui” (犯太岁) in Mandarin during the last Dog year. This belief holds that sharing your birth year with the current zodiac sign can invite bad luck. Chinese New Year is also a time to ward off evil spirits and bad luck. Many traditions and customs, such as setting off fireworks and hanging red decorations, are believed to bring good luck and prosperity while scaring away any negative energies. Another important aspect of Chinese New Year is the emphasis on family and togetherness. Families Top Color Choices for Chinese New Year 2025: How to Dress for Luck and Prosperity. Chinese New Year is a time of celebration, tradition, and superstition. One important aspect of this holiday is the choice of clothing color. In Chinese culture, certain colors are believed to bring luck and prosperity, while others may bring bad fortune. You can’t buy it, otherwise, it won’t ward off bad luck. Everything is in red during the Chinese New Year. 2. Wear Red Bracelets or Red Sockets. Red bracelets and red sockets stand for good fortune. It can help ward off any evil spirits and guarantee you a happy coming year. But you can't wear red footropes or anklets. Unique Traditions: The Philippines has its own set of unique Chinese New Year customs. For instance, the use of firecrackers to ward off bad luck is a common practice, though it is now regulated in many areas. Another Filipino tradition is the prevalence of karaoke during family gatherings, adding a fun and lively element to the celebrations What are the dates of the Chinese New Year holiday in 2025? Chinese New Year 2025 begins on January 29. The official holiday period in China lasts from January 28 to February 4. This week-long break allows families time to gather and celebrate. How is Chinese New Year celebrated in Honolulu? Honolulu hosts several events for Chinese New Year. 5. Wearing new clothes and wishing others good luck. On New Year’s Day, wearing new clothes symbolizes a fresh start. Wearing red is believed to attract luck and prosperity. Chinese New Year and weddings are celebrated with elaborate rituals, each designed to attract good luck and ward off bad luck. Incorporating these Chinese rituals into one’s life may bring happiness, prosperity, and good fortune. Especially during the Chinese New Year, the country’s people adorn themselves in red apparel to boost luck and ward off evil spirits. People also continue the tradition of hanging red lanterns Some believe that this sweeps away bad luck and makes room for incoming blessings. However, sweeping or cleaning on New Year’s Day is avoided, as it could sweep away good fortune. Special Foods and Festive Customs of Chinese New Year. Food is an essential part of Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying symbolic meanings. Discover 3 effective tips to ward off bad luck during your Ben Ming Nian, the year of your zodiac animal. Boost your luck and navigate this challenging zodiac year!
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