In less than a month, the Chinese community will celebrate CNY to usher in the 2025 Snake Year. Nevertheless, the CNY celebrations are a fiesta of family gatherings, savouring traditional and yummy gastronomical delights, and primarily, following its age-old family traditions that have existed since our ancestor's days.
So to help us kickstart the CNY celebrations soon, here is a gentle reminder of the list of do's and don'ts to follow if you want to enjoy an auspiciously smooth Chinese New Year this year!
Do's
Splurge on red items, and wear everything red if possible
If you are not living in Timbuktu, you would surely know that red is synonymous with Chinese New Year. But why is it so? Since ancient China, the ethnic Han group believed red symbolizes good fortune, luck, vitality, and celebration.
The Chinese also believe that wearing red helps ward off evil spirits and boost the luck and fortune of its wearer. No doubt, this explains why the Chinese would give out red packets and decorate their entire house in vibrantly red auspicious decors. Go figure.
Exchange Mandarin oranges to guests during house visits for massive good fortune
Besides being a signature fruit for Chinese New Year, Mandarin oranges are also considered fruits of fortune to the Chinese community. For example, the word orange sounds similar to the word wealth when pronounced in Mandarin. Furthermore, the luscious golden colour of Mandarin orange resembles the colour of gold, making it suitable as a good luck fruit for visitors to exchange during house visits or as an offering to the Chinese Gods during Chinese New Year.
Paint your house red with "lucky" or auspicious aesthetics
For a smooth and auspicious year ahead, you should decorate some traditional CNY items in your house. For example, you can hang a pair of striking red lanterns at your door to help eliminate bad luck. Or else, hang New Year couplets at your doorways as they help convey good wishes to further bring in a good and happy new year.
Additionally, kumquat trees are another hallmark auspicious decor available during CNY. Naturally, kumquat symbolizes both good luck and good fortune. Furthermore, the fresh citrus fruits on the kumquat trees smell good due to their zesty and sharp aromatherapy scent. When placed in the ideal position, they benefit those who suffer from tension migraines due to the hot humid CNY weather.
Do not clean your house during CNY to avoid chasing away good fortune and good luck.
One of the biggest CNY taboos or forbidden rules during CNY is that you should not clean your house on the day of the CNY itself. Whether you want to scrub, clean, dust, or polish your beautiful casa like a Martha Stewart replica, you should do it before midnight to avoid removing any good luck.
Don'ts
Do not use sharp objects, primarily needles, knives, or scissors.
According to ancient Chinese tradition, using sharp objects during CNY would invite unnecessary conflict or trouble for the entire year. Also, the older Chinese folks believed that sharp objects or tools would disrupt the harmonious vibes of an auspicious CNY celebration.
Don't wear black or white. This is to avoid bad luck and looking like a mourner.
The Chinese firmly believe that the color black and white is only for funerals and hearses. Therefore, wearing black or white on CNY celebration day. The traditional Chinese folks detest the colors black and white so much indeed that they would chase you out if you wore them to their house during CNY house visits. They believe black dogs or white cats are also signs of bad omen.
Don't be a crybaby on CNY day. Instead, smile for more bountiful good fortune and good rewards
As a child, I recall my late Grandma giving me an earful if I ever threw a tantrum or cried like a baby on CNY day. According to Ah Poh, tears are synonymous with sorrow and bereavement. Therefore, they would sweep away all the massive good luck and good fortune generated during CNY in the house. Hence, Ah Poh says children should always behave well and smile as much as possible during CNY.
Don't purchase or give someone books since it's like giving them bad luck
The Chinese word for books means "losing" when translated into English. Hence, one should not buy books or give them to others as gifts during CNY. If you do so, it is akin to creating a self-fulfilling prophecy for yourself or vice versa, bringing bad luck to the bearer of the misfortune gifts.
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