Chinese New Year is just around the corner. To ensure that you start your new year on the right foot, here is a list of things that you should and should not do on Chinese New Year. 1. Washing and cutting hair On the first day of Chinese New Year, you must not wash or cut your hair. In Cantonese, hair is pronounced as faat (髮), which is the same as the word for “getting rich” (發). If you wash your hair, it means that you’re washing your own fortune away for the coming 365 days. Hair must not be washed on Chinese New Year's Day. In Mandarin, hair (发, fa) has the same pronunciation (and indeed is the same character) as fa in facai (发财), which means 'to become wealthy'. Therefore, it is seen as not a good thing to "wash one's fortune away" at the beginning of the New Year. According to Chinese New Year superstitions and taboos, people should avoid unlucky words, haircut, scissors, needle work, medicines, hospital, crying, borrowing money, and breaking bowls or glasses. Leave your hair as it is on the first day of the New Year. The Chinese character for hair is the same first character in the word for prosper. This means washing or cutting it off is seen as Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and giving. More likely than not, you’ll be giving out some gifts here and there. But even with gifts, there’s some etiquette you need to take note of, especially during the Lunar New Year. Always keep in mind that colour has large significance in the Chinese culture. When a person cuts their hair, it is associated with cutting their fortune away. Hair cutting should take place a month before or after the lunar month. Avoid borrowing money. It is believed that debts should be paid by Lunar New Year’s Eve and money should not be lent on New Year’s Day. People usually clean hair before new year and choose to cut their hair on the second day of the second lunar month, known as "Longtaitou" in Chinese culture. 7. Avoid sweeping and taking out of garbage: Karen Yee of San Francisco, says she doesn't cut or wash her hair on New Year's Day. "Hair and luck in Chinese are homonyms," she said. "So if you cut or wash your hair on the day of the Lunar New 3. Don't cut or wash hair on Chinese New Year's Day. Do these in the week or so leading up to New Year's Day, but don't do it on the day of as you don't want to wash away or cut short your luck Hair must not be washed on Chinese New Year’s Day. In Mandarin, hair (发, fa) has the same pronunciation (and indeed is the same character) as fa in facai (发财), which means ‘to become wealthy’. 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. 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 Reunion dinners are all about bringing the family together and they traditionally happen on Chinese New Year Eve. But these days, schedules can get busy, so it’s common to host them a few days – or even weeks – before CNY, especially if you’ve got multiple gatherings lined up with different groups. On New Year’s Eve, you can eat the following: Grapes: Grapes promote harmony and peace. Glutinous rice cake: It is a lucky food you can eat on New Year’s Eve because of its significance in attaining a higher position, changing the level for the better, and experiencing advancement. Long-life noodles: This type of noodles can be eaten on New Accordingly,can you wash your hair on new year’s eve? If for any reason a gift is to be given this day, leave it in a car or out building New Year’s Eve. — Some cultures believe one should not wash his or her hair on New Year’s Day because it will wash away the good fortune of that person. The searches for New Year's Eve dos and don'ts surge and HOW. People often ask if it is a good thing to wash your hair on New Year's Eve or if one must clean their houses at all when it comes to the last day of the year. 🛍️ New Year’s Eve 2021 Rituals for Good Luck: Can You Wash Your Hair on NYE? What Is the Kiss Superstition? Everything You Need To Know. Haircut. It is bad luck to cut anything during the 15 day Chinese New Year period, hence the Chinese tend to go for a haircut before the last day of the Lunar year so that they will not look unkempt, and also because a clean, well maintained appearance matters to usher in a prosperous new year. The main Chinese New Year activities include 1) putting up decorations, 2) offering sacrifices to ancestors, 3) eating reunion dinner with family on New Year’s Eve, 4) giving red envelopes and other gifts, 5) firecrackers and fireworks, and 6) watching lion and dragon dances. New clothes for the New Year. Do away with the old and wear new clothes for Chinese New Year as it symbolises a fresh beginning to the year. And since the colour red represents luck and positivity, many choose to wear red clothes, and sometimes even underwear, to help usher in an auspicious year.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.