Chinese New Year - Taboos and Superstitions:
House Cleaning
The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. On New Year's Eve, all brooms, brushes,
dusters, dust pans and other cleaning equipment are put away. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on
New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away. After New Year's Day, the floors may be
swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed
in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the
corners be trampled upon. In sweeping, there is a superstition that if you sweep the dirt out over the
threshold, you will sweep one of the family away. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house
by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune and luck of the family; it must always be swept
inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow. All dirt and rubbish must be taken out the back door.
Bringing In the New Year and Expelling the Old
Singapore celeberate Chinese New Year with a big bang with firecrackers at China Town usher by PM Lee on 15th Jan 2005 light up ceremony.
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and
welcoming in the New Year (But too bad this activities was ban 30 year ago). On the stroke of midnight
on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out.
New Year Activities Set Precendent
All debts had to paid by this time. Nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be
lending all the year. Back when tinder and flint were used, no one would lend them on this day or
give a light to others.
Everyone should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Negative terms and the word
"four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never
mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as
everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.
If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated
and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.
Personal Appearance and Cleanliness
On New Year's Day, we are not suppose to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New
Year. Red clothing is preferred during this festive occasion. Red is considered a bright, happy color, sure to bring the
wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the
year. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given lai see, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar
bills inserted, for good fortune.
More New Year Superstitions
For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time
to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.
The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire
year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.
It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit
in the living room.
Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.
While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced.
These traditions and customs are kept because most families realize that it is these very traditions, whether believed or
not, that provide continuity with the past and provide the family with an identity.
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