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. The red color is ubiquitous in China for the new year. It is considered auspicious and lucky. You’ll find red lanterns, strings of real (or fake) chili peppers, and red colored greetings fixed to doors and windows. People will be given red envelopes with money. Red clothing is considered good luck for new year’s day and throughout the spring. 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 Do not shower, sweep or throw out garbage on New Year’s Day: you don’t want to “wash out” or” throw away” good luck. Chinese New Year DOs. 1. Do give ang pows to those who are unmarried. While this may seem rather obvious at first glance, handing out ang pow packets to unmarried individuals and children have long been a tradition in Chinese culture, especially during the festive season of Chinese New Year or even during birthdays and weddings. Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations often include envelopes filled with “lucky money” and the wearing of red-coloured clothing – but some traditions are rarely observed any more. It’s to welcome the new year with a smile and let fortune and happiness continue on. The Spring Festival also involves somber ceremonies to wish for a good harvest. Strict rules and restrictions go without saying. To help you know what customs and rules to follow, here are the top 10 taboos to avoid during the Chinese New Year. 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. Chinese New Year (CNY) is one of the most significant celebrations in Asian culture, filled with traditions that bring luck, prosperity, and happiness. To ensure you start the lunar year on the right foot, here’s a handy list of do’s and don’ts to follow during the festive season! The Do’s. Clean and Declutter Your Home Don't shower on Chinese New Year's Day. Stay away from sharp objects like scissors, needles, knives and others. The Chinese New Year 2024 will be celebrated on February 10. Recommended Topics. Why You Shouldn't Shower During The Chinese New Year Taking naps, especially on the first day of the Chinese New Year, represents laziness. In Chinese culture, taking naps on the first day of the new year will affect your luck and career for the rest of the year. 9. Avoid breaking things in your home In Chinese culture, showering or bathing on New Year’s Day, particularly during the Lunar New Year, is often avoided. The belief is tied to the idea of washing away good luck, a concept deeply rooted in ancient customs. Conversely, in America, traditions are less tied to superstition and more focused on symbolic new beginnings. You are not supposed to go to bed early on New Year’s Eve. On the contrary, you should stay up late and alert in order to keep the “Sui” monster away. On the first day of the lunar year: Chinese people consider New Year’s Day a very important day. There are many taboos on this day. No washing clothes or hair or bathing. 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. 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 Download the perfect chinese new year 2025 pictures. Find over 100+ of the best free chinese new year 2025 images. Free for commercial use No attribution required Now that we’re older, not anymore. Although we receive sweets and oranges, no red envelopes. I’m sure not everyone follows ALL the superstitions, for example no washing dishes or showering. Am I right to say, it’s not in my culture? We don’t 100% follow the dos and don’ts of Lunar New Year. I have superstitions myself, so got me thinking. Apart from the shower, most of these things you do in the run-up to Chinese New Year. You cut your nails, get the haircut, and all those things beforehand. It's why I spent last night changing a lightbulb in the garage for my mom. There’s no set date for Chinese New Year According to the Lunar calendar, the Spring Festival is on January 1st and lasts until the 15th (the full moon). Unlike western holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, when you try to calculate it with the solar (Gregorian) calendar, the date is all over the place.
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