Want to be lucky this year? Check out these Chinese New Year’s Day taboos

Chinese New Year is this Saturday, January 25th. Whether you celebrate it or not why, not try to avoid these taboos on the day of the festival that will lead to bad luck for the entire coming year.  

According to Chinese superstition, doing any of these taboos listed below will not get you started on the right path to a successful year.  

Chinese New Year’s Day taboos 

Medicine: Taking medicine on the first day of the lunar year means one will get ill for a whole year. Please note to take your prescribed medication if your life depends on it.

Oatmeal: It is considered that only poor people have cereal for breakfast – and people don’t want to start the year “poor.” 

Laundry: People do not wash clothes on the first and second day because these two days are celebrated as the birthday of Shuishen (水神, the Water God).

Washing hair: Hair must not be washed on the first day of the lunar year. In the Chinese language, hair (发) has the same pronunciation and character as ‘fa’facai (发财), which means ‘to become wealthy.’ Therefore, it is seen as not a good thing to “wash one’s fortune away” at the beginning of the New Year.

Sharp objects: The use of knives and scissors is to be avoided as any accident is thought to lead to inauspicious things and the depletion of wealth.

Going out: A woman may not leave her house; otherwise she will be plagued with bad luck for the entire coming year. A married daughter is not allowed to visit the home of her parents as this is believed to bring bad luck to the parents, causing economic hardship for the family.

Broom: If you sweep on this day, then your wealth will be swept away too.

Crying children: The cry of a child is believed to bring bad luck to the family, so parents do their best to keep children as happy as possible.

Theft: Having your pocket picked is believed to affect your entire wealth in the coming year being stolen.

Debt: Money should not be lent on New Year’s Day, and all debts have to be paid by New Year’s Eve. If someone owes you money, do not go to their home to request it. Anyone who does so will be unlucky all year.

An empty rice jar: A depleted receptacle may cause grave anxiety as the cessation of cooking during the New Year period is considered to be an ill omen.

Damaged clothes: Wearing threadbare garments can cause more bad luck for the year. No torn jeans to be worn on this day.  

Be careful with your razor or knife blade: Blood is considered an ill omen, which will cause misfortunes such as a knife wound or a bloody disaster. 

Monochrome fashion: White or black clothes are barred as these two colors are traditionally associated with mourning. Instead, wear lucky Red. 😍

Gifts: Clocks, scissors, and pears all have a bad meaning in Chinese culture. 

It isn’t all doom and gloom: 2020 is the Year of the Rat, an animal that symbolises wealth and the beginning of a new day.

Sending good luck vibes! 💋

Featured photo credit: xxxshakespearexxx.tumblr.com