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. Understanding Chinese New Year Superstitions. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, feasting, and observing various traditions. In some Chinese New Year superstitions, women are not expected to do needle work during the festival, which may give rise to unnecessary squabbles and quarrels with family members or neighbors. Making shoes is also a definite don't, for that may bring evil home. Chinese New Year is a joyful and harmonious festival, but there are some traditional superstitions and taboos as doing them may bring bad luck. The Spring Festival typically lasts for 15 days, some things are forbidden throughout the entire festive period. Superstitions on Chinese New Year 1. Keep the Lights Turning On. However, few know about this superstition and the reasons behind it, but it has been believed that the third day of Chinese New Year is an ominous one. Scarlet/Red Dog Day (or Chi Gou Day) According to traditional folklore, it is a day when socialising should be kept at a bare minimum as disagreements and resentments can easily fester. In 2024, during the Year of the Dragon, China witnessed a 5.7% year-on-year increase in births, with South Korea seeing a 3% rise. These spikes are noteworthy, considering both nations are grappling with declining birth rates. Here are some common superstitions among Chinese people for the Lunar New Year. Interpretations do vary among families and cultures. Some superstitions last throughout the festival, whereas others 12. A married daughter is not allowed to visit her parents’ house on Chinese New Year’s Day. In some Chinese cultures, it is believed that having a married daughter visiting her parent’s house on the day of the Chinese New Year will bring bad luck to the parents, causing their family to suffer from economic hardship. Therefore, it is Chinese New Year is a time when age-old superstitions are observed by households as festive customs & traditions. If you are interested in superstitions, we have plenty of blog posts with fascinating superstitions from the Super Bowl, holidays, Friday the 13th, and more. Chinese New Year superstitions offer a fascinating mix of beliefs and traditions thought to bring good luck to the festivities. Even in contemporary times, these cultural aspects continue to shape people's activities and choices during the celebrations. 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 Chinese people take Spring Festival (Chinese Lunar New Year) as the foretaste of the whole year's fortune. For the sake of a safe and smooth year, people practice many New Year customs and taboos in folk China. The stories date back thousands of years. Read on to learn of a few popular and interesting Chinese New Year myths. The Monster and New Year’s Eve. In ancient times, there was a monster named Nián (年). It usually lived at the bottom of the sea and would come up once a year to feast on animals and humans. Let’s delve into the intriguing world of Hair Washing Superstitions and explore what to avoid during Chinese New Year to ensure a prosperous start to the lunar new year. As the dawn of Lunar New Year 2025 approaches on Jan. 29, the festive season sets the stage for a 15-day celebration steeped in tradition across China and various Asian 9. Do not give New Year blessings to someone still in bed. You are supposed to give New Year blessings (拜年 / bài nián). But let the recipient get up from bed first. Otherwise, they’ll be bed-ridden for the entire year. You also shouldn’t tell someone to wake up. You don’t want them to be rushed around or bossed for the year. It’s exciting to know that people worldwide enjoy Chinese New Year snacks. As for Chinese superstitions, it’s good to offer sweet snacks during the new year. Wrapping Up. These superstitions were formed thousands of years back based on the wishes, worries, beliefs, and cultures of the time. Chinese New Year is a festival of joy and good luck. Here are some Chinese superstitions to keep in mind to start the year with maximum huat. TheSmartLocal – Singapore’s Leading Travel and Lifestyle Portal In Chinese tradition, cleaning during the new year is believed to sweep away wealth and good fortune. Even taking out the garbage is seen as tossing out prosperity from the home. So, yes – this gives you the perfect excuse to put off housework until after Chinese New Year. Let the tradition work in your favour! 11. Enjoy festive CNY events Chinese New Year is made up of a rich fabric of symbols, traditions and superstitions designed to influence the future. With a cultural heritage that spans more than 5,000 years, it's a 15-day celebration filled food that may shape your future. Things You Should Not Do During Chinese New Year. 2025 Chinese New Year Day is on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 and the Chinese New Year's eve is on Tuesday, January 28, 2025. 2025 is the year of the Green Wood Snake. Chinese celebrate Chinese Festival for 15 days long, from Chinese New Year Day to Chinese Moon Festival.
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