Seeing that Chinese New Year is just two weeks away, here are some tips on what the Chinese believe to be customary do’s and don’ts to usher in the new year with the best luck on your side. This list is not exhaustive because I believe there are many do’s and don’ts out there, and probably some contradicting views too. But this is as best a collection I’m able to find from personal grandmother tales I’ve heard and from searches on the web.
Before you check out the dos and don’ts during Chinese New Year, find out when your auspicious date to start work is, as well as what colours are auspicious to wear during the new year as well as the colours you should wear to start work.
Do’s and don’ts during Chinese New Year
Don’t sweep the floors on the first day of the Chinese New Year. Normally families will spring clean their homes before the new year arrives and on the eve of Chinese New Year itself, all brooms and dustpans are kept away. Sweeping can resume after the first day of Chinese New Year. But there is a specific way to sweep too. Sweep from the entrance of the home which is normally the door to the center of the house. The dust and rubbish that’s been swept should be kept in a corner, untouched and only to be thrown out from the backdoor of the house on the fifth day of the Chinese New Year. It is believed that to sweep the rubbish out of the front entrance on the first day of the new year is to sweep away the good luck or fortune of the family.
Pay off your debts before Chinese New Year. Any debts you may have should be paid off before the new year begins. Of course this does not mean your huge debts owed to the banks like your mortgage or car loan. If you owe someone money, make sure that you pay them off before Chinese New Year so that you start the year afresh debt free. During the period of Chinese New Year, it is also said that one should not lend out money. Likewise, you also should not borrow money during Chinese New Year.
Don’t use sharp cutting objects like knives and scissors on New Year’s day because this is believed to be cutting off your good fortune again. So keep those things tightly sealed in your drawers!
Don’t wash your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year. Some believe that you are washing away the luck on you if you do that. So, make sure you wash up nice and clean and on eve of Chinese New Year!
Don’t buy books during the 15 days of Chinese New Year. The word ‘book’ in the Chinese language sounds close to the word ‘losing’ in Chinese. You definitely do not want to start the new year losing anything. Not your fortune nor the luck you may have all year round.
People are also told that they should not buy shoes throughout the Chinese New Year. The word ’shoes’ in Chinese language sounds like the sound of a sigh. Obviously sighing is not considered a good thing to be doing as it means unhappiness. You definitely don’t want to be sighing during the new year!
Wear bright clothing during the new year. Colours like red and yellow (sometimes even gold!) are always favoured as they are considered happy and bright colours that bring in luck. Don’t ever wear black on Chinese New Year as black is considered the colour of mourning.
Greet people positively and refrain from swearing and using inauspicious words or language.
Be careful and don’t break any objects, especially breakables like glass in the home during Chinese New Year. It is considered bad luck. If something gets broken, then it is believed that one should immediately say the phrase “Flower blossoms when it touches the floor” to reverse the bad luck.
Decorate the home with auspicious objects. For example, some plants like cherry blossoms and pussy willows are favoured as they represent blooms in the home that symbolises growth. Many families also put up plastic firecracker decorations as a symbolic way to ward off evil.
Have you heard of more do’s and don’ts? Do share with the rest of us what you know so that we all benefit and have good luck and fortune in the new Year of The Ox!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Chinese New Year DO and DONS
I FIND THIS INFORMATION REALLY MEANINGFUL.
have a good new year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shabina, I’m glad you find the do’s and don’ts meaningful.
Rachel, I had a great new year. I hope you had a good one too!
have a happy,prosperous,problem free new year to all…..
nice information.real interesting
can u wear 1 black stuff on you?