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. 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. 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. 1 out of 6 people celebrates Lunar New Year. Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China, but is also observed in many places around the world, including Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and other Asian countries as well. 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. 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 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. 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. During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? Traditions . Aside from New Year’s Eve, there are other important days of the 15-day Chinese New Year Festival, including:. JIE CAI CENG: Welcoming the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity The Chinese zodiac’s traditions and customs resonate through our actions even in contemporary settings. As the Year of the Snake approaches, we should not underestimate the influence of some of the common folklore beliefs. Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations. Although some people decorate their houses several days before the festival, most people do it on Chinese New Year's Eve. 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 New Year or Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Snake is the new year animal. Learn more about Chinese Lunar New Year traditions, taboos, food, zodiac signs, and greetings. 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. As the last day of the lunar year, Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕 chú xī) is the day before Chinese New Year. It is a grand reunion time for the whole Chinese family. People will participate in many activities to celebrate the coming new year. Chinese New Year's Eve Traditions 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations Chinese New Year superstitions. One of the biggest festivals in China, Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, has numerous Chinese superstitions that come into play. Cleaning rituals. In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, homes are meticulously cleaned, an act believed to sweep away any lingering bad luck from the previous year. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in China and among Chinese communities worldwide. This vibrant and joyous occasion is steeped in rich traditions and customs that have been passed down through generations.
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