9 Things That You Can & Cannot Do During Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. To ensure that you start your new year on the right foot, here is a list of things that you should and should not do on Chinese New Year.

1. Washing and cutting hair

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Do: It's always great to groom yourself before Chinese New Year, so you'll look the best on the first day of the year

Don't: Do not cut and wash your hair on the first day of the Chinese New Year, as it signifies washing away and cutting off your wealth and prosperity.

2. Colour of clothes

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Do: Wearing colours such as red, orange, and yellow is highly encouraged, as these colours relate to prosperity and tremendous success.

Don't: In traditional Chinese culture, the colours black and white are associated with grieving. Thus, it is very unlucky to wear these two colours for the whole month of Chinese New Year.

3. Cleaning the home

Dos: Cleaning the house tends to be done before the Chinese New Year arrives. However, keep in mind that when you sweep the floor, sweep things inward and take them out through the back door.

Don't: Cleaning your home on Chinese New Year is considered to be dumping or sweeping away your good fortune.

4. Avoid giving shoes as presents

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Giving shoes to someone as a present in the new year signifies bad luck. As the pinyin for shoes (鞋, xié) and evil (邪, xié) sounds similar, it is believed that if you give someone shoes, your relationship with the person will eventually end.

5. Do not eat porridge or congee

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Food like porridge or congee was considered food for poor people. So, eating it on Chinese New Year, especially on the first day, needs to be avoided so as not to start the year ‘poorly’.

6. Saying unlucky words

Do: Saying nice things and being kind will bring joy and luck to you throughout the new year.

Don't: Avoid swearing and using words with negative meanings, such as death, illness, and loss, as they will bring you bad luck all year long.

7. Don't cry during CNY

Do: Be happy and make sure your loved ones are happy, too, to signify a prosperous new year.

Don't: Chinese New Year superstitions indicate that those who cry on the new year will continue to do so throughout the year.

8. Don't take naps

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Taking naps, especially on the first day of the Chinese New Year, represents laziness. In Chinese culture, taking naps on the first day of the new year will affect your luck and career for the rest of the year.

9. Avoid breaking things in your home

Breaking items such as plates is often associated with the loss of wealth as it symbolises your fortune would ‘break’ too. However, if you do break one by accident, say lucky words like (岁岁平安/碎碎平安, suì suì píng ān).

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