Lunar New Year, a vibrant tapestry of traditions, family gatherings, and hopeful wishes, is a time of immense cultural significance for billions worldwide. While the joyous celebrations are filled with auspicious activities, there’s an equally important aspect to consider: the things one is not supposed to do. These prohibitions, rooted in ancient beliefs and folklore, are observed to usher in good luck, ward off misfortune, and ensure a harmonious start to the new lunar year. Understanding these taboos isn’t about fear, but rather about respect for tradition and a desire to cultivate positive energy for oneself and loved ones. From the way you clean your home to the words you speak, every action carries weight during this auspicious period.
The Genesis of Lunar New Year Taboos
The origins of Lunar New Year customs, including the taboos, are deeply intertwined with agricultural societies and the cyclical nature of time. The end of winter and the dawn of spring represented a crucial transition, a time for renewal and for appeasing spirits and deities to ensure a bountiful harvest and general prosperity. Many of these traditions aim to prevent bad luck from entering the new year, thereby safeguarding the good fortune that has been accumulated or is hoped for.
One of the most foundational beliefs is that the first few days of the Lunar New Year set the tone for the entire year ahead. Therefore, actions perceived as negative or inauspicious are strictly avoided. This concept of “saving face” and maintaining harmony extends beyond individual actions to family interactions and even societal conduct. The emphasis is on positivity, generosity, and respect.
Cleansing and Cleaning: A Delicate Balance
The act of cleaning is central to Lunar New Year preparations, but the timing and manner of this activity are paramount. The intention behind cleaning is to sweep away the old year’s misfortunes and make space for new blessings. However, this also means there are specific times when cleaning is considered detrimental.
The Day Before Lunar New Year: The Grand Purge
The days leading up to Lunar New Year are typically dedicated to vigorous cleaning. Homes are scrubbed, decluttered, and decorated to welcome the festivities. This is the time to get rid of anything that represents bad luck or stagnation. Think of it as a symbolic expulsion of the old to make way for the new.
Lunar New Year’s Day: The Silence of Sweeping
This is arguably the most significant cleaning taboo. On Lunar New Year’s Day itself, sweeping the floor is strictly forbidden. The rationale is simple yet profound: sweeping would literally sweep away the good fortune that has just arrived. If the house becomes too dirty, people might resort to sweeping, but it’s often done with a dustpan and brush, or by gathering dust into a corner rather than moving it out of the house. Similarly, taking out the trash is also discouraged for the same reason. This practice encourages people to manage their waste and keep their homes tidy in the days prior.
Washing Clothes: Holding Back the Tide of Fortune
Similar to sweeping, washing clothes on Lunar New Year’s Day is also considered inauspicious. This stems from the belief that washing clothes is akin to washing away one’s luck or fortune for the year. Therefore, laundry is typically done in abundance in the days leading up to the New Year. Some families might even avoid washing their hair on this day, as hair (發 – “fa”) is a homophone for fortune or prosperity.
Verbal and Behavioral Taboos: Guarding Your Tongue and Actions
The words we speak and the actions we take during Lunar New Year are believed to have a direct impact on our luck and relationships. This emphasis on positive communication and mindful behavior is a cornerstone of the holiday.
The Power of Words: Avoiding Ominous Pronouncements
The Lunar New Year is a time for joyous greetings, well wishes, and optimistic pronouncements. Conversely, it’s a time to steer clear of any language that could be construed as negative, unlucky, or offensive.
No Cursing or Arguing
Using foul language, engaging in arguments, or even discussing negative topics like death, illness, or financial loss is strongly discouraged. The belief is that such conversations can invite these misfortunes into the home and into one’s life for the coming year. Instead, conversations should be filled with blessings, compliments, and cheerful exchanges.
The Importance of “Fa Cai” (Prosperity)
Greetings during Lunar New Year often revolve around wishes for prosperity and good fortune. Phrases like “Gong Xi Fa Cai” (Mandarin) or “Kung Hei Fat Choi” (Cantonese), meaning “Wishing you prosperity,” are ubiquitous. This focus on positive affirmations reinforces the desire for abundance.
Avoiding the Number Four
In many East Asian cultures, the number four (四 – “si”) is considered unlucky because it sounds very similar to the word for death (死 – “si”). While this isn’t strictly a doing taboo, it influences what is avoided. Gifts are ideally not given in sets of four, and references to the number four are generally omitted during conversations.
Financial Faux Pas: Prudent Spending and Borrowing
Money plays a significant role in Lunar New Year, with the exchange of red envelopes (hongbao) being a prominent tradition. However, there are certain financial behaviors to avoid.
No Spending or Borrowing on New Year’s Day
It is generally advised not to spend money or lend money on Lunar New Year’s Day. This is believed to signify the depletion of one’s wealth for the entire year. Any outstanding debts should ideally be settled before the New Year begins. If one needs to make a purchase, it’s often done discreetly or in the days leading up to the festival.
Paying Off Debts Before the New Year
Conversely, settling all outstanding debts before Lunar New Year arrives is considered highly auspicious. It symbolizes starting the year with a clean slate, free from financial burdens. Being in debt at the beginning of the year is seen as an omen of financial hardship to come.
Gifts of Four are a No-No
While not a direct action of spending, the avoidance of giving gifts in sets of four, as mentioned earlier, also relates to the financial aspect, as gifts often involve monetary value or symbolic representations of wealth.
Kitchen Catastrophes: What Not to Cook or Eat
The Lunar New Year feast is a time of abundance and symbolic foods. However, certain ingredients or cooking methods are avoided to ensure good fortune.
The Inauspicious Ingredients
Certain foods, due to their names or shapes, are considered unlucky and are therefore not prepared or consumed during the New Year period.
Avoiding Congee (Rice Porridge)
Congee, a plain rice porridge, is typically not eaten on Lunar New Year’s Day. It is traditionally considered a poor person’s food, and eating it on this auspicious occasion is believed to signify poverty for the coming year.
No Meat on the First Day (in some traditions)
In some specific regional traditions, particularly among devout Buddhists, eating meat on the first day of Lunar New Year is avoided. This is an act of compassion and purification, aligning with the spiritual essence of renewal.
The Significance of Fish
Fish (魚 – “yu”) is a staple during Lunar New Year because its name sounds like the word for surplus or abundance (餘 – “yu”). However, it’s important to eat the fish whole, with head and tail intact, to symbolize completeness and a good beginning and end to the year.
Kitchen Etiquette: Knives and Scissors Take a Break
Just as sweeping is avoided, the use of sharp objects in the kitchen also comes with restrictions.
The Unwieldy Knife
Using knives or scissors on Lunar New Year’s Day is generally discouraged. This is because these sharp implements can “cut” off one’s good fortune or wealth. If cooking is absolutely necessary, extreme care is taken, or tasks requiring knives are completed beforehand.
Personal Grooming and Attire: A Fresh Start
The way one presents oneself during Lunar New Year is also steeped in tradition.
Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow? Not Quite
The act of washing one’s hair is often linked to washing away good luck.
The Hairwashing Prohibition
As mentioned earlier, washing one’s hair on Lunar New Year’s Day is often avoided. This stems from the phonetic association of hair (髮 – “fa”) with fortune. Some may even avoid cutting their hair on this day, as it is seen as cutting off one’s good luck.
The Colors of Luck: What to Wear and What to Avoid
The choice of clothing for Lunar New Year is significant, with certain colors considered more auspicious than others.
The Dominance of Red
Red is the undisputed color of Lunar New Year. It symbolizes good luck, happiness, and prosperity, and is believed to ward off evil spirits. New red clothing is often worn to signify a fresh start and a hopeful outlook.
The Absence of Black and White
Conversely, black and white are generally avoided. These colors are traditionally associated with mourning and funerals, and wearing them during Lunar New Year would be considered highly inappropriate and unlucky.
Taboos Involving Children: Protecting the Innocent
Children, being the embodiment of future generations and new beginnings, are often subject to specific considerations during Lunar New Year.
Words of Caution for the Little Ones
The same verbal taboos that apply to adults are even more strictly enforced when it comes to children.
Shielding Children from Negativity
Parents and elders make a concerted effort to ensure that children are not exposed to any negative conversations or harsh reprimands. The aim is to keep their spirits uplifted and their minds focused on joy and anticipation for the year ahead.
No Breaking Things: A Fragile Start
The accidental breaking of an object is always a cause for concern, but on Lunar New Year, it carries extra weight.
The Ominous Shatter
Breaking a dish or any other item on Lunar New Year’s Day is considered a bad omen. It is believed to signify the breaking of one’s fortune or the occurrence of bad luck. If something does break, it is often accompanied by a quick apology or a declaration like “碎碎平安” (sui sui ping an), meaning “May all be well and peaceful” or “May shattered things turn into peace,” to symbolically avert the bad luck.
Beyond the Day-to-Day: Broader Prohibitions
Some taboos extend beyond the immediate New Year’s Day and encompass the entire festive period, which can last for several days or even weeks.
The Journey Home: Avoiding Unnecessary Travel
While family reunions are central, certain travel plans are often avoided during the initial days of Lunar New Year.
The Significance of Staying Put
In some traditions, avoiding unnecessary travel or moving house during the first few days of Lunar New Year is advised. This is to ensure that one’s good fortune remains within the home and does not “travel away.”
Marital Matters: No Weddings on Unlucky Days
The auspicious timing of events is crucial in many cultures, and Lunar New Year is no exception.
The Wedding Woes
Scheduling weddings during the initial days of Lunar New Year is generally avoided. This is because the focus is on family gatherings and general prosperity, and a wedding might be seen as diverting or conflicting with these intentions. However, some couples might choose to get married later in the lunar month, after the initial observances.
The Underlying Philosophy: Harmony, Positivity, and Renewal
It’s crucial to understand that these taboos are not meant to instill fear, but rather to cultivate a mindset of positivity, harmony, and respect for tradition. They serve as gentle reminders to be mindful of our actions, words, and thoughts, ensuring that we approach the new year with the best possible intentions and energy. By understanding and observing these traditions, individuals and families can embrace the spirit of Lunar New Year, ushering in a year filled with good fortune, health, and happiness. The essence lies in creating a clean slate, both physically and metaphorically, to welcome a prosperous and harmonious future. Embracing these customs, even in small ways, allows one to connect with a rich cultural heritage and participate in a global celebration of renewal and hope.
What are some common items or actions that are traditionally avoided during Lunar New Year celebrations?
During Lunar New Year, several everyday items and activities are typically avoided to ensure good fortune and harmony. Sharp objects like knives and scissors are put away, as they are believed to “cut” away luck and wealth. Sweeping the floor on the first day of the New Year is also a common taboo, as it’s thought to sweep away good luck. Washing hair on this day is also discouraged for similar reasons, as “hair” (fa) sounds like “fortune” (fa) in Chinese, and washing it is seen as washing away prosperity.
Other common avoidances include using certain words that sound like negative terms. For example, referring to death or illness is strictly forbidden, and even words like “break” or “empty” are generally avoided. It’s also customary to avoid arguing or engaging in heated discussions, as the entire period is meant to be one of peace and good cheer. Paying off debts before the New Year is encouraged, but borrowing money during the celebration is often seen as a sign that you will be in debt for the entire year.
Why is it considered unlucky to sweep or clean on the first day of Lunar New Year?
The act of sweeping or cleaning on the first day of Lunar New Year is traditionally avoided because it is believed to metaphorically sweep away good luck and prosperity that has arrived with the new year. In many East Asian cultures, the New Year is seen as a fresh start, and the initial days are dedicated to welcoming positive energy. Sweeping is associated with removing things, and thus, it is feared that cleaning might inadvertently banish the good fortune that the year is meant to bring.
Furthermore, the practice is deeply rooted in symbolism. The word for broom in Chinese, “sou,” sounds similar to the word for “lose” or “destroy.” Therefore, using a broom on the first day is interpreted as an act that could lead to losing one’s wealth or good fortune throughout the coming year. Instead, any necessary cleaning is usually completed before the New Year begins to ensure a clean slate without the risk of expelling good luck.
What is the significance of avoiding sharp objects like knives and scissors during Lunar New Year?
Sharp objects such as knives and scissors are traditionally put away and not used during the initial days of Lunar New Year because they are believed to symbolize cutting away or severing good fortune and wealth. The idea is that using these tools can metaphorically “cut” into the prosperity and luck that are meant to enter one’s life with the arrival of the new year.
This avoidance extends to everyday tasks that might involve chopping or cutting. Instead of using knives for food preparation, many families prepare ingredients in advance. The underlying principle is to avoid any actions that could be interpreted as damaging or diminishing one’s blessings for the year ahead, fostering an atmosphere of abundance and continuity rather than potential loss.
Are there any particular colors or clothing items that should be avoided during Lunar New Year?
While vibrant colors like red are highly encouraged for Lunar New Year to ward off evil spirits and attract good luck, certain colors are generally avoided. White and black are often considered somber colors associated with mourning and are thus typically not worn during celebratory periods. Wearing these colors can be seen as bringing bad luck or sorrow into the new year.
Similarly, clothing that is damaged, ripped, or looks worn out is usually not worn. The Lunar New Year is a time for new beginnings, and dressing in new or well-maintained attire symbolizes a fresh start and a prosperous future. Outfits that are too revealing or provocative are also sometimes discouraged, as the focus is on family harmony and respectful observance of traditions.
Why is it considered inauspicious to take medicine or have surgery on Lunar New Year’s Day?
Taking medicine or undergoing surgery on Lunar New Year’s Day is traditionally avoided because it is believed to symbolize that one will be sick for the entire year. The act of seeking medical treatment is interpreted as an indication of ongoing health problems, and therefore, people try to avoid any actions that might suggest they will be unwell throughout the coming year.
To circumvent this potential bad omen, individuals who are unwell often try to recover before the New Year or postpone non-emergency medical procedures until after the initial festive period. The emphasis is on starting the year with good health and vitality, and thus, any actions that might imply illness are seen as detrimental to one’s well-being for the next twelve months.
What kind of interactions or conversations should be avoided to maintain harmony during Lunar New Year?
Maintaining harmony is a key aspect of Lunar New Year celebrations, so certain types of interactions and conversations are actively avoided. Engaging in arguments, disputes, or any form of conflict is highly discouraged. The entire period is meant to be a time of peace, reconciliation, and goodwill, and starting the year with negativity is seen as setting a bad precedent for the months ahead.
Furthermore, discussions about sensitive topics such as death, illness, or financial difficulties are generally avoided. Complaining or expressing dissatisfaction is also considered inauspicious. Instead, conversations tend to focus on positive topics, well wishes, and expressions of gratitude, fostering an atmosphere of joy and optimism for everyone present.
Are there any specific foods or ingredients that are avoided during Lunar New Year?
While many foods are associated with good luck and prosperity, certain ingredients and foods are traditionally avoided. For instance, anything that sounds like a negative word is often omitted. In some dialects, foods that sound like “break” or “separate” might be avoided to promote unity and togetherness within the family. While not a universal taboo, some may steer clear of ingredients that might be seen as impure or cause ill health.
Generally, the focus is on symbolic foods that represent good fortune, longevity, and wealth. Conversely, there are no widespread dietary restrictions that are universally avoided across all cultures celebrating Lunar New Year, apart from avoiding foods that might be linked to negativity or bad omens through phonetic similarities or symbolic interpretations. The emphasis is more on what to include to invite blessings rather than what strictly to exclude, except for very specific traditional taboos.