Here are 8 things you should avoid during Chinese New Year: 1. Washing or cutting your hair However, it is okay to cut your hair before the new year. “That will bring in new wealth,” Lin Do: It's always great to groom yourself before Chinese New Year, so you'll look the best on the first day of the year Don't: Do not cut and wash your hair on the first day of the Chinese New Year, as it signifies washing away and cutting off your wealth and prosperity . By cutting your hair, it can symbolise cutting off your prosperity. In normal cases, that’s already a pretty bad situation. Right before Chinese New Year though? It’s not a sign that bodes well for the rest of your year, so let’s stay away from those hair salons during this time. 6. No negative emotions People should not get their hair cut during the first lunar month, for it indicates the death of their uncle (mother's brother), and of course it is a thing you should never do during the Chinese New Year. Although it sounds absurd, people are glad to abide by this tradition. The seventh day of the Lunar New Year (February 4, 2025) is said to be when the Chinese mother goddess, Nuwa, created humanity. Thus, it’s called renri/jan jat (the people’s birthday). 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 6. DON’T wash or cut your hair Don’t wash or cut your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year (Photography: Element5 Digital via Pexels) 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 Sweep, mop, scrub, dust, vacuum, steam – do anything and everything to make sure your home is spick and span BEFORE the stroke of midnight on Lunar New Year eve, February 11. (See below for more Jan. 29 marks the first day of Lunar New Year 2025. The holiday, with celebrations lasting for 15 days, has been commemorated in China and other Asian countries for centuries. Many who celebrate believe that what you do (and don’t do) on Lunar New Year will affect your luck in the coming year. Chinese people believe that, as the Spring Festival is the start of a new year, what you do then will affect your luck in the coming year. 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 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. Bag up any garbage and throw it away after the fifth day. Similarly, you shouldn’t take a shower on Chinese New Year’s Day. 4. Do not use scissors, knives or other sharp objects. There are two reasons behind this rule. First, in olden times, it was to give women a well-deserved break. Second, sharp objects will cut your stream of wealth and Beside above,when should you not cut your hair for chinese new year? 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. DON’T do laundry, wash or cut your hair on New Year’s Day (the day before is fine) but you don’t want to wash away your good luck! DON’T break any dishes or glasses!Jan 25, 2022 DON’T break any dishes or glasses!Jan 25, 2022 DON’T do laundry, wash or cut your hair on New Year’s Day (the day before is fine) but you don’t want to wash away your good luck! DON’T break any dishes or glasses!Jan 25, 2022. Can I cut my nails on Chinese New Year? Do not wash your hair, cut your nails, use the scissors or sweep the floor on the first day of Chinese New Year. The language expert explained that this was because the word for hair in Chinese sounded very similar to the word for rich. 'You don't want to wash your fortune away at the beginning of the New 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 364 days. Sweeping, taking out the trash, throwing away broken or unused items, and doing laundry should be done before Chinese New Year. By doing these chores, you’re clearing out bad luck from the ending year, and making way for new luck and fortune. Get a Hair Cut Cutting your hair before the new year helps you rid yourself of last year’s 7. New clothes for the new year Got your new clothes for CNY? The colour code for CNY? Bright is right. Back in the day, colours like black and white were a no-go during Chinese New Year, since they were traditionally associated with funerals. Instead, vibrant hues, especially red, were the preferred choice – it’s the colour of luck and 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.
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