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
Sweep out bad luck before New Year’s Eve but stop cleaning when CNY begins to avoid “sweeping away” good fortune.
Wear Red and Bright Colors
Red symbolizes joy and prosperity, while bright colors are associated with good luck. Avoid dark clothing during the celebrations.
Give and Receive Red Packets
Also known as ang pow or hong bao, these envelopes filled with money represent blessings and good fortune. Married individuals traditionally give them to children and unmarried relatives.
Decorate for Good Luck
Add red couplets, lanterns, and paper cuttings with auspicious phrases like 福 (fú) meaning “blessings.” These decorations are believed to attract positive energy.
Enjoy a Reunion Dinner
The reunion dinner is a must! Dishes like fish (for surplus), dumplings (for wealth), and rice cakes (for growth) are popular choices that symbolize prosperity.
Wish Others Well
Use phrases like “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (Wishing you prosperity) or “Xin Nian Kuai Le” (Happy New Year) to spread good cheer and positivity.
Share Lucky Foods
Oranges, tangerines, and sweets are often exchanged as gifts to symbolize abundance, luck, and sweetness in the year ahead.
The Don’ts
Don’t Sweep or Clean During CNY
Cleaning during the first few days of CNY is believed to sweep away good luck and fortune.
Avoid Negative Words and Actions
Words like “death,” “illness,” or “poverty” should be avoided. Quarreling and crying are also considered unlucky.
Don’t Use Sharp Objects
Avoid using knives, scissors, or needles, as they are thought to “cut” your good fortune.
Don’t Break Anything
Breaking plates or glasses is considered a sign of bad luck. If it happens, say “岁岁平安” (suì suì píng ān), meaning “peace and safety every year,” to counteract it.
Don’t Wear Black or White
These colors are associated with mourning and are not suitable for such a joyful occasion.
Don’t Lend or Borrow Money
Settling debts before CNY is ideal, as lending or borrowing during the celebration is seen as inviting financial troubles.
Don’t Sleep Late or Wake Up Late
Rising early on New Year’s Day signifies diligence and success, while waking late can bring laziness into the year.
Don’t Wash Your Hair or Clothes on New Year’s Day
Washing is thought to wash away wealth and blessings. Postpone laundry and hair-washing until after the first day.
By following these traditions and avoiding the taboos, you can usher in a year full of prosperity, happiness, and good luck. Wishing you a joyous and auspicious Chinese New Year! 🎉
