As the vibrant festivities of Chinese New Year approach, it’s essential to navigate the customs and traditions with grace and respect. In this blog, we delve into the dos and don’ts that surround this auspicious celebration, providing insights into the cultural intricacies that shape the Lunar New Year experience. Whether you’re a seasoned participant or a newcomer eager to partake in the festivities, join us on a journey through the dos that bring good fortune and the don’ts that safeguard against potential pitfalls, ensuring a harmonious and prosperous start to the your Chinese New Year celebration.
Chinese New Year Dos
Wear Red
Wearing red during Chinese New Year is considered good luck because the colour red is associated with positive symbolism in Chinese culture. Red is believed to symbolise prosperity, happiness, and good fortune. Wearing red clothing, and accessories, or even decorating homes with red items during the Chinese New Year is thought to bring luck, ward off evil spirits, and usher in a joyful and prosperous year ahead. It is a deeply rooted tradition that signifies well-wishes for the new year.
Light Firecrackers and Lanterns
Setting off fireworks during Chinese New Year holds cultural significance deeply rooted in tradition. The practice is believed to serve multiple purposes, including warding off evil spirits through loud noises and bright lights. It symbolises the casting away of the old year and the joyous welcome of the new, bringing forth positive energy and good luck. The celebratory atmosphere created by fireworks fosters community togetherness, allowing people to join in the festivities with a sense of shared joy.
Give Angpao
Angpao, typically adorned with festive designs and symbols, are envelopes containing money that is exchanged between family members, friends, and even colleagues. The act of giving red packets is deeply rooted in the belief that the red colour wards off evil spirits and symbolises good luck, prosperity, and blessings for the recipient. It is a gesture of goodwill and an expression of best wishes for the upcoming year. However, ang pao can only be given by married couples to younger unmarried members.
Indulge in a Joyful Banquet
In the customary celebration, families come together on the eve of Chinese New Year to savor a lavish meal featuring festive dishes like poon choi—a traditional Cantonese casserole filled with layers of ingredients that symbolise luck and fortune. The feast also includes foods associated with wealth, such as fat choy (black moss) and dried oysters.
Chinese New Year Don’ts
Cleaning on New Year’s Day
Cleaning the house on the first day of the lunar new year is thought to sweep away good luck and fortune that has accumulated during the celebration. The period leading up to the festival is marked by thorough cleaning, symbolizing the removal of the old and making way for the new. Homes are meticulously tidied to rid them of any lingering bad luck and to create a welcoming and auspicious environment for the arrival of the new year.
Using Negative Words
Using negative language or discussing unhappy topics on or around the New Year’s celebration can potentially bring about undesirable outcomes and dampen the overall spirit of the festive occasion. The Chinese New Year is a time for renewal and fresh beginnings, and the avoidance of negative words aligns with the overarching goal of attracting positive energies and blessings for the upcoming lunar year.
Wash Your Hair
In some Chinese cultural traditions, there is a belief that washing one’s hair on the first day of the Lunar New Year, especially during the first few days, is to be avoided. Rooted in superstitions and the intention of not “washing away” the good luck and prosperity believed to accompany the new year’s arrival. This belief aligns with the idea of avoiding cleaning on New Year’s Day, as both practices symbolically connect water with the removal of good fortune.
Avoid Loaning Money
Refrain from lending money during Chinese New Year. According to Lunar New Year traditions, lending money at this time is discouraged as it is believed to attract a continuous stream of borrowers throughout the entire year.
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