16 Chinese New Year superstitions you should avoid - unless you want a lifetime of bad luck
2018 is the Year of the Dog, and Chinese New Year tradition dictates there are some things we should avoid doing
While many of us made our own resolutions on December 31, the arrival of the year of the dog comes with its own traditions to ensure a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
Also known as the Spring Festival, celebrations of the Chinese New Year start on the day before, and last until fifteenth day of the new year.
While this is a time of festivity, there are quite a few things to avoid doing to dodge a year's worth of illness or bad luck.
And although you may rejoice at an excuse to not do your washing, some other things are little trickier to avoid.
1. Medicine
Taking medicine on the first day of the lunar year means not only will you get ill, but it will last for one whole year.
Not only is this extremely unpleasant for you, but it's probably not going to endear you to your boss. Plus you may end up missing the Christmas party.
2. New Year's breakfast
Porridge may keep you fuller for longer and be high in dietary fibre, but you should skip it on the first day of the new year.
Traditionally, people were warned against eating porridge as it was associated with being poor - something a lot of people as an omen.
3. Laundry
Here's a reason to rejoice - a clad-iron excuse to ignore that growing laundry pile.
Apparently, people don't wash clothes on the first and second day, because these two days are celebrated as the birthday of Shuishen (水神, the Water God).
4. Washing hair
Again, one less thing to do!
Hair must not be washed on the first day of the lunar year, as in the Chinese language, hair (发) has the same pronunciation and character as 'fa' in facai (发财), which means 'to become wealthy'.
Therefore, washing your hair is seen as "washing your fortune away".
5. Sharp objects
Also related to the loss of wealth, using knives and scissors is a no-no, as any resulting accident is thought to lead to 'inauspicious things' - including 'the depletion of wealth'.
6. Going out
Bad news for all the women out there - if we leave the house on New Year's day we'll be plagued by bad luck FOR THE REST OF YEAR.
Also, a married daughter is not allowed to visit her parents, as this is believed to bring bad luck to the parents, causing economic hardship for the family.
Men, presumably, carry on doing as they please.
7. The broom
More bad news for your bank balance- and the cleanliness of your house. If you sweep on this day then your wealth will be swept away too.
8. Crying children
Keeping the apple of your eye happy is of more importance than usual, as a child's cry is believed to bring bad luck to the family.
9. Theft
Let's face it - this is one to avoid ALL year round, but being stolen from during the Spring Festival is particularly dire as it's thought to signify ALL your wealth will be stolen in the coming year.
10. Debt
Avoid borrowing money on New Year's Day, and try to pay all debts by New Year’s Eve.
But be warned: If someone who owes you money, do not go to his or her home to demand it. Anyone who does so it is said will be unlucky all the year.
11. An empty rice jar
Or any empty storage receptacle for that matter is considered to be a bad omen during the New Year period.
12. Damaged clothes
Wearing threadbare duds can cause more bad luck for the year. Time to go shopping then!
13. Killing things
Unsurprisingly, blood is considered an ill omen, which will cause misfortunes such as a knife wound, or 'a bloody disaster'. Eek!
14. Monochrome fashion
Admittedly, monochrome does look chic, but we should all be injecting some colour into our wardrobes for New Year's Day.
White or black clothes are banned as these two colours are traditionally associated with mourning.
15. Welcoming the New Year
According to tradition, people must stay up late on New Year's Eve to welcome the New Year, and then let off firecrackers and fireworks to scare off inauspicious spirits and Nian, the New Year monster.
16. Giving of certain gifts
If you're feeling flush and generous, just make sure you avoid buying clocks, scissors, and pears as gifts, as they all have a bad meaning in Chinese culture.

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