Chinese New Year is the time to visit family and friends in Singapore. It’s also the time for Chinese New Year superstitions and unspoken weird rules like not taking medicine.
It is the most celebrated festive event by Chinese people all around the world after the Mid-Autumn mooncake festival. If you’re thinking about sweeping away the dust on this New Year. Or if you’re planning on wearing black and white clothes at New Year’s Eve festival then read this list of the top 10 Chinese New Year superstitions to avoid bad luck.
Even if you don’t believe in Chinese New Year superstitions, there’s no harm in following customs that bring good luck.
1. Do Not Clean your House
You have got time on hand. Does this mean you should clean your house? NO. Chinese people believe that even touching cleaning supplies on, the first day of Chinese New Year brings bad luck. Cleaning the house during the Lunar New Year is a Chinese New Year taboo.
According to Chinese Folklore, cleaning a house on Chinese New Year’s Day is similar to cleaning your house of good luck and wealth. Not only you should avoid cleaning your house during the Chinese New Year, but washing hair and clothes is also forbidden. Make sure instead of sweeping away the dirt, you spend time with your family this coming year.
2. Spring Cleaning
House cleaning on the Chinese New Year’s Day is disliked and considered a top Chinese New Year superstitions. Ideally, you’ve cleaned the house before the very first day of the Chinese or Lunar New Year. Sweep away the dirt, mop the floor, and laundry till you have enough time. Get rid of the bad energy and make space for wealth. Spring cleaning before the Chinese New Year brings good luck to the house and family.
3. Balancing Accounts
Chinese New Year is associated with prosperity and wealth. This Chinese New Year superstition revolves around the wealth of a person. If you’re in debt, pay off the money before the Chinese New Year. Chinese people believe starting the new year under debt means you’ll be spending the next 12 months the same way. Similarly, lending money on Chinese New Year’s Eve, the first day of Chinese New Year isn’t a good idea either.
4. Horror Stories
Who doesn’t love a good horror story on new year’s night? But be aware. Chinese New Year’s Eve or the New Year isn’t the right time to tell someone about your paranormal experience. Telling the tales of death, violence, and ghosts are Chinese New Year taboos. According to Chinese people, saying the word “death” is enough to ruin the entire Chinese New Year for you. Also, avoid watching horror shows or movies on the first day or second day of Chinese New Year.
5. Right Color to Wear
We are talking about wearing black and white clothes. As you would have noticed how the Chinese New Year’s Eve and the New Year is filled with hot and bright colours. The reason behind that is bright colours, especially red brings good luck and prosperity. So, wear red on the first day of the Chinese New Year. You can also wear other bright colours on Chinese New Year. Avoid wearing black and white clothes because they are associated with mourning and death.
6. Open your Doors
Open your doors and windows on the Chinese New Year’s Eve for some fresh air and possibly good luck. By opening up your house on the new year you’re inviting positivity to fill in. According to Chinese new year tradition, opening the windows and doors on Chinese New Year’s Eve night lets the positive energy and good spirits walk in the house. Right before the clock strikes 12, Chinese people usually open their doors and windows on the new year and wait for the good fortune to enter their houses.
7. Put Away Sharp Objects
Sharp object laying around your house is already a recipe for disaster. But you should take special care on the Chinese New Year Eve, Chinese New Year, and the first day of Chinese New Year. Chinese people have these Chinese New Year superstitions that sharp objects can cut your good luck. It is best to put all the knives and scissors in their designated drawers on Chinese new year.
8. Avoid Odd Numbers
This is another Chinese New Year superstition that involves numbers. Odd numbers are believed to bring bad luck and should be avoided during the new year festival. When gifting money on the new year does not give an odd sum. Give money in even numbers to prevent bad luck. While we are already on the topic of gifts, it’s considered lucky to gift fruits to people on the Chinese New Year. It symbolizes prosperity. You can also take fruits to the party as a gesture of respect. You may also avoid odd numbers on the first day of Chinese New Year.
9. Homonyms
This Chinese New Year superstition is about the sounds. In the Cantonese language, the word “Book” and “Lose” has a similar sound. As said earlier, even saying the word “death” in the new year is believed to bring misfortune. Similarly, saying words that have similar sounds to words like death on the new year is also considered bad. On the other hand, it is a tradition to serve dishes that sound similar to good words. For example, the word “Fish” and “Abundance” are homonyms. Oyster is also a common choice of meal, as the word sounds similar to “good events”. It is served on Chinese new year’s Eve, New Year, and the first day of the Chinese New Year.
10. Sweet Snacks
This last Chinese new year superstition is a favourite for those who have a sweet tooth. People all around the world tend to overindulge during this festive season on CNY goodies. It’s also a good thing to gift sweets on duringthis period. Gather all of your pineapple tarts, love letters, kueh lapis and favourite snacks to make this Chinese and Lunar New Year sweeter than the year before.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, superstitions are what you make of it. Some of us are more sensitive to such taboos. While some of us brush it off as old wives tales. Chinese New Year won't end in misery if you have to clean up a mess at home. Remember to have fun visiting friends and relatives.