To ensure a good year ahead, many Chinese families abide by a set of Chinese New Year superstitions. This practice is seen as an omen of luck for the next twelve months. Although many no longer believe in these superstitions, they still adhere to the taboos and best practices as it is part and parcel of the Chinese culture and heritage.
Chinese New Year superstitions
With the Year of the Wood Snake almost upon us, here are some Chinese New Year superstitions to know about.
1. Wear bright new clothes
Red and bright colors are usually worn during this festive period. These colors are considered lucky. Dark colors especially black is avoided as they are usually worn at a funeral.
Same goes for damaged clothes. The idea is to wear new clothes as it symbolizes a new beginning.
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2. Chinese New Year superstitions: Keep jars filled!
Empty storage receptacles such as jars should be avoided. Empty jars or containers such as a rice container are considered to be bad omens during this festive period.
The idea is to have plenty. Think of abundance. This is the tone that you want to set for the rest of the year.
3. Not a good day for chores
This festive period is meant for fun and to spend time with family and friend. Chores are minimized. Don’t sweep the floor, in particular. Do all the sweeping before the festive period. Sweeping the house on the first day of Chinese New Year is akin to sweeping away good luck.
However, if it is really necessary – for example, if your kids dropped a trash bin filled with peanut skins – the homeowner should sweep from the outside towards the inside of the house. This direction represents the collection of money flowing in to your home.
4. Avoid using scissors and other sharp objects
Using sharp objects should be avoided especially on the first day of the Chinese New Year. This is seen as cutting away good fortune or good luck. Scissors represent possible quarrels. Some families in China go as far as to avoid using scissors the entire month.
5. Avoid taking medicine (if possible)
The belief here is that taking medicine on the first day of the lunar year means you will get ill and the illness will last for the entire year.
6. Chinese New Year superstitions: Avoid washing hair
Here is another thing that you don’t have to do. Washing your hair on the first day is akin to “washing your fortune away.”
This superstition has its origin in the Chinese pronunciation of hair and “becoming wealthy” which sounds similar. Of course, it means that you need to wash your hair a day before and probably, a day after the lunar new year.
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7. Chinese New Year superstitions: Don’t eat meat and porridge for breakfast
There are cultural beliefs surrounding certain foods, but it’s important to understand the reasons behind them. Some cultures associate porridge or lugaw in Filipino with poverty and may avoid it on New Year’s Day to avoid starting the year on a negative note. Additionally, in some traditions, meat is avoided out of respect for religious beliefs that discourage the killing of animals, particularly on auspicious occasions like New Year’s Day when gods are believed to be out meeting and wishing each other well. These customs reflect cultural values and traditions and should be respected as part of cultural diversity.
8. Do not do your laundry on New Year’s day
Avoiding washing clothes on the first and second days of the new year is a cultural tradition stemming from reverence for the water god, whose birthday is celebrated during this time. Washing clothes during these days is considered disrespectful to the water god.
Furthermore, there’s a historical belief that water symbolizes wealth. Pouring away water after washing clothes was thought to symbolize a loss of wealth. Therefore, refraining from washing clothes during this period is a way to avoid any perceived loss of prosperity associated with water-related activities.
9. Keep children from crying
In Chinese culture, there’s a belief that the cry of a child can bring about bad luck for the family. As a result, parents go to great lengths to prevent their children from crying, using various methods to soothe them and keep them happy. This belief reflects the importance placed on maintaining harmony and positivity within the household, as well as the desire to protect the family from any potential misfortune.
10. Chinese New Year superstitions: When dealing with others
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There are a number of Chinese New Year superstitions that relate to how you interact with family and friends.
Watch what you say
Pay attention to your words. Don’t use words with negative connotations in your conversation. Negative words include death, killing, pain, poverty and losing. Also refrain from telling ghost stories. This is very inauspicious.
Exchange mandarins
This round golden fruit is a symbol of prosperity and good luck. Visitors exchange this fruit with the home owner. Two fruits are the norm. This is in line with a Chinese proverb that goes: good things come in pairs.
Chinese New Year Superstitions: Start the Year with Noise and Light
For Filipino-Chinese families, celebrating Chinese New Year is a time to welcome prosperity, joy, and good fortune. One key tradition is making noise and lighting up the celebration to ward off bad luck and invite positive energy.
Here’s how you can incorporate this practice:
- Firecrackers and fireworks: Traditionally, these loud bursts are believed to scare away evil spirits. If firecrackers are allowed in your area, safely include them in your celebration.
- Alternative noise-makers: If firecrackers aren’t an option, encourage your kids to bang on pots and pans, blow party horns, or clap loudly. Even playing lively music adds to the festive spirit!
- Sparklers and lanterns: Bright lights symbolize a bright future. Use sparklers or hang colorful lanterns to light up your home and attract good fortune.
- Get the kids involved: Let them help create the noise and light. Explain the meaning behind the tradition, so they understand its cultural significance.
These simple but meaningful activities make the celebration fun and memorable for the whole family. A bright and noisy start to the year ensures happiness and success ahead!
You may also want to read about 12 Chinese New Year superstitions for a big dose of luck which is a little different to the list above. Also see : Things not to ask or say to my eldest child during Chinese New Year
Also read: Gayuma: Naniniwala ka ba sa “love spell” na ito?
