We love tradition, so after some research we have gathered the do’s and don’ts during this festivity. Our Chinese students from the one-to-one Spanish classes, and Conversation groups have confirmed this information, so here it goes:
Do’s and Don’ts
DO’S
New clothes for the New Year! It’s the perfect time to do away with the old and wear new clothes for Chinese New Year. As it symbolizes a fresh beginning to the year. Many choose to wear red clothes (luck and positivity) and sometimes even underwear, to help usher in an auspicious year. Also, Spring clean before the New Year! In a similar manner, cleaning the home before Chinese New Year signifies a fresh start. Chinese families believe in the importance of a clean and harmonious environment.
Chinese prepare a chuen hap: a Chinese New Year snack box. It symbolizes ‘togetherness’ and ‘perfection’, it typically has an odd number of compartments filled with treats that have auspicious meanings. There are eight types of traditional sweets you will often find in them. Such as candied lotus seed, (which symbolizes the bearing of children); winter melon candy (which represents having a good year from start to finish). As well as savory and fried snacks like melon seeds, deep-fried sesame balls, and yau gok (deep-fried dumplings). That are all associated with prosperity.
Enjoy a festive feast Traditionally, families gather on Chinese New Year's Eve to enjoy a sumptuous meal and sample festive dishes. For example, poon choi, a traditional Cantonese casserole filled with layers of ingredients symbolising luck and fortune. As well as foods associated with wealth such as fat choy (black moss) and dried oysters. Receive lai see (red packets). It is customary for elders, bosses, and those who are married to give out lai see during Chinese New Year. Red packets filled with lucky money would also be given to children to place under their pillows in order to ward off evil spirits and wish for a healthy new ye
If you are lucky enough to experience this festivity in China: burn incense sticks at Wong Tai Sin temple. It is believed that those who enter the temple first and make an offering to the gods by burning the inaugural incense sticks will receive the biggest of blessings. Thus, crowds of worshippers gather at the temple in the early morning of Chinese New Year’s Day to pray for a new fortuitous year.
Also visit Che Kung Temple. Many Hong Kongers also visit this Sha Tin temple on the second and third day of the Chinese New Year. To worship, burn incense, draw lucky sticks and turn the copper windmill (clockwise) to attract good luck. Don't forget to also take a lucky pinwheel to bring your fortune home.
Also in Hong Kong, you can make a wish at the Lam Tsuen Well-Wishing Festival. People every year save this date to write their wishes on a placard. Tie it to a mandarin, and throw it onto the wishing tree for a blessed new year.
DON’TS
Hang your clothes to dry: it is said that if you put your clothes out to dry on the eve of Chinese New Year, it will lure in evil spirits and bad luck.
Wash your hair and clothes or sweep the floor. It is thought to be bad luck to wash your hair, do the laundry, or sweep the floor as your good fortune will be washed or swept away!
Eat meat, congee, or medicine. Many students choose not to eat meat on New Year’s Day as it is considered taboo to kill animals on the first day of the year. Congee (rice dish) should also be avoided as it was deemed as a common meal for those less fortunate in ancient times. Lastly, avoid taking any medicine on New Year’s Day as it is also thought to be bad luck.
Quarrel on the third day. The third day of Chinese New Year is said to be a day when arguments are likely to occur. So it would be wise to be mindful and avoid squabbling with anyone.
Buy new books or shoes. It is considered unlucky to buy or give books or purchase shoes during Chinese New Year. In Cantonese, the word 'book' sounds similar to 'lose' or 'defeat,' while 'shoe' sounds like sighing, both of which are associated with bad luck.
Wear black and white clothing, two colors often associated with grief and mourning.
Cut your hair, since the word ‘hair’ sounds like ‘fortune’ in Cantonese, so going to the salon for a cut or trim would be like cutting your wealth short for the new year.
Open your lai see early, no matter how tempting it might be to rip open your red packet!
It is widely believed that one should only open them on the seventh day or 15th day of Chinese New Year. Remember: being patient for your fortune makes for a more prosperous year to come!
