This 2019, the ‘Year of the Pig’ means another year of fortune and luck based on Chinese predictions.
With that, the Chinese New Year festivities will begin on February 5 and will last until February 19. Just like the universal New Year’s Eve celebration, this event will welcome the year with excitement and positivity.
Despite this grand celebration, there are ancient taboos that you should follow in order to avoid bad luck in the coming year.
Here are some of the superstitions surrounding the Chinese New Year.
If you want to avoid misfortune…
You should refrain from saying words with negative meanings like ghost, hell, death, sickness, poverty, and the like. Instead, it is better to talk about your ideal future and aspirations for the coming year.
Also, crying should be avoided. For instance, if a kid suddenly cries, his parents or guardians should stop him quickly because it is believed to cause sadness. However, scolding or punishing children is discouraged to avoid ruining the cheerful mood and lively atmosphere of the occasion.
If you want to avoid illness…
It’s better not to visit a hospital during the Spring Festival because it will manifest in an unhealthy year ahead. So, all family members – even the sick – is obliged to dress up and gather in the living room because “it’s beyond the pale” to greet anyone in his or her bedroom.
In addition to that, it is considered taboo to call people by their names when you wake them up. This is because the sleeping person may feel lazy and lack energy throughout the year.
If you don’t want to offend the gods…
It is expected that the gods will come and wish everyone a happy new year. And with due respect, many Chinese families have associated some taboos with this kind of visit.
The vegetarian deities, for instance, are expected to arrive in the morning of Chinese New Year, so people are encouraged not to eat meat.
New Year’s Day is also the birthday of the water god, so washing clothes is strongly discouraged.
Lastly, lucky decorations, especially paper cuts and Chinese couplets, should be hanging over doors and rooms to show respect to the “door gods.”
Every country has their own traditions and cultures. And in Chinese culture, good fortune and positive life are based on lucky signs and astrological forecasts. But sometimes, it comes with its own set of taboos.
Most people may not follow these old practices or even find it absurd – which means it is still up to you whether you believe in it or not.
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone!
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