15 Surprising Chinese New Year superstitions you might want to know of

15 Chinese New Year superstitions that might surprise you

Shelina Assomull

12 Feb 2018

updated the 13 February 2018 à 11:34

1/15
Taking medicine is unlucky
This one is certainly a controversial one: taking medicine at the start of the year (and even more so going to hospital) apparently means you will get ill for the rest of the year.
2/15
Avoid having porridge
Sorry Goldilocks, but traditionally only poor people ate porridge. As such, having porridge at the start of the year hinders your wealth and prosperity for the year to come.
3/15
Farewell, laundry
Perhaps the best of all the superstitions: you now have a guaranteed reason why you need to skip out on this dreaded chore. The first two days of CNY are the Water God’s birthday who will take offence if you do wash clothes.
4/15
Avoid washing your hair
Another tiresome task you can tick off the list! Washing your hair is a sign of washing away your fortune, so it looks like your dry shampoo will be your bestfriend this Chinese New Year.
5/15
Sharp objects
Leaving sharp objects around your house is a symbol of cutting away your luck. Scissors, knives and all sharp objects are a no-no.
6/15
Crying children
And the kids rule the roost too! Crying children is believed to bring bad luck to the family for the rest of the year - so try to keep your kids occupied and cheer this festive season!
7/15
Even numbers are lucky
Remember things should come in even numbers! Ang baos of with SGD8, SGD10's and SGD12 will boost your luck, while 5s, 7s and 9s will hurt it.
8/15
Study break!
The word for books in Mandarin is shu, which apparently sounds similar to the word for “lose,” so as a precaution students get to avoid studying in case it makes them “lose!” Let the celebrations begin…
9/15
Mandarin pairs
Showing up empty handed is rude and bad luck so bring your relatives mandarins. The mandarins bring abundance and good fortune. Make sure you bring them in pairs as one would be back luck!
10/15
No black
Black can't be your staple back-up as it is associated with mourning. Due to this, wearing it is inviting death into the new year.
11/15
Do not harm others
Even killing one spider at home will set you up for a bad omen for the rest of the year.
12/15
No sweeping
So you’re gonna have bad hair, smelly clothes and now dusty floors. Oh well, no quibbling with this well known superstition. Sweeping is banned, unless you want to sweep away all your luck for the year. Try and do a big spring clean before CNY to avoid the urge to broom at the start of the year.
13/15
Debt and lending
Starting the year in debt, or by lending people money, sets you up for a loss of wealth in the year to come.
14/15
No new shoes
Sorry gals, but that ang bao isn’t going towards some new strappy’s. Buying shoes is a sign of a rough year ahead, as the word for shoes - hai - sounds like the word for “rough.”
15/15
Bite your tongue!
As if relatives did not already tell you to mind your language at the dinner table, they now have a legit excuse. Using bad language, telling negative stories, and most importantly mentioning the word “die” will set you up for a negative year.

If you want to keep your luck on track for the new year, check out these superstitions – just in case.

Chinese New Year is coming up; and with all other holidays, comes with its fair share of traditions too. It is a time to get together with family and embrace the year to come in high spirits. However, most of us will agree there is always that one auntie (and if not one, several), that will be highly superstitious around this time of year.

Although many of the myths, superstitions and taboos relatives share with you don’t seem widespread, there may be some truth to them. We’ve compiled a list of superstitions you’re sure to hear around the dinner table to keep you up-to-date and myth-busting.

Although not all of these are taken literally anymore, for those extra-superstitious guests, they’re certainly worth keeping in mind in case you want to err on the side of caution.

Shelina Assomull

Photos: Unplash/Pixabay

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