Superstitions & Taboos:
The Chinese New Year of 2024 (Year of the Dragon) is here, and many of us are excitedly preparing for the celebrations and festivities that come with it.
However, amidst all the joy and excitement, it’s important to remember the traditional superstitions and taboos that are believed to bring bad luck during this time of year.
Why should we care about these superstitions and taboos? After all, aren’t they just old wives’ tales? But the truth is, these beliefs have been passed down through generations for a reason. They hold valuable lessons and insights that can help us navigate the complexities of life.
And in a constantly changing world, understanding and respecting these traditional beliefs can bring us a sense of stability and connection to our roots.
Most Common Chinese New Year Superstitions & Taboos
First off, let’s start with the things you should avoid at all costs. Don’t even think about cleaning your house on Lunar New Year’s Day or washing your hair, or you’ll wash away all your good luck. And if you’re thinking of giving your loved ones a set of shiny new knives or scissors as a gift, don’t. Unless you want them to be slicing and dicing their way out of your life, that is.
But don’t worry; you can do plenty of things to stack the odds in your favor. You should wear red underwear for good luck, for example. Or better yet, wear nothing (just kidding, please wear clothes). And if you want a year filled with wealth and prosperity, eat lots of long noodles and round dumplings. After all, long noodles represent long life, and round dumplings symbolize wealth.
So as you celebrate Chinese New Year 2024, keep these customs and superstitions in mind, and you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank. Or at least laugh at all the strange things you must do to attract good luck.
· Wearing black or white clothing, as these colors are associated with mourning and death
· Giving or receiving anything in the color white, as white, is associated with death and mourning.
· Cleaning the house before Chinese New Year, as it is believed that you will sweep away good luck and wealth
· Using negative words or expressions, as it is believed that they will attract bad luck and misfortune
· Giving or receiving gifts in odd numbers, as even numbers are considered to be more auspicious.
· Showing disrespect to elders or ancestors will bring bad luck and alienation from the family.
· Not settling debts or resolving conflicts before the Chinese New Year 2024 will bring bad luck and financial problems.
· Not decorating the house with new Year’s decorations will bring bad luck and a lack of prosperity
· Not visiting or hosting guests during the first three days of Chinese New Year, as it is believed that this will bring bad luck and isolation.
What to do on the occasion of Chinese New Year 2024 for Good Luck
There are many ways to bring good luck during the Chinese New Year. Here are a few examples:
1. Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, and decorating your home with red items, such as lanterns, paper cuttings, and red envelopes, is believed to bring good luck.
2. The Chinese character “fu,” which means good fortune or happiness, is often displayed during Chinese New Year to bring luck.
3. Gold is also considered a lucky color in Chinese culture, and displaying gold ornaments, such as gold coins or golden animals, is believed to bring good luck.
4. Mandarin oranges symbolize good fortune and are often gifts during the Chinese New Year.
5. Wearing new clothes on New Year’s Day is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.
6. Some foods are considered lucky during Chinese New Year because of their names or symbolism. For example, fish is considered lucky because the Chinese word for “fish” sounds like the word for “abundance.” Long noodles are also considered lucky because they symbolize long life.
Overall, the central theme of bringing good luck during Chinese New Year is to focus on positivity and abundance and surround oneself with good fortune symbols.
Feng Shui Objects to Counter Bad Luck in 2024
Lucky Crystals
Most of the time, negative energy comes from people. To ensure that you stay as far away as possible from anything evil, carry a lucky amulet under the guise of a crystal. It can be the crystal specific to your Chinese zodiac sign or one you feel close to. Amethyst, rose quartz, and tourmaline is the most efficient crystals in cleansing evil.
Chinese Coins
On the evening of the Chinese New Year, keep a set of 3 Chinese coins in your wallet or purse so your money will multiply and grow. Chinese coins bring prosperity and will shield you from financial problems.
Candles
It is said that negative energies make their nest in a space that’s dark and cold. The light from the candles can dispel and bring peace again into any person’s life. Use scented candles to brighten up your house during the New Year.
Chi Lin Statues
Chi Lin is the most potent image of luck in Chinese mythology. It brings good health and prosperity. The statue must be placed on a shelf near the front door or on another table in the house to banish negative energies.
Buddha Statue
A statue of Buddha laughing will bring you wellness, financial earnings, and success. To be a good omen, the figure must be placed on a corner of the table, facing the door. In this way, the energy that enters the room will be positively charged by Buddha’s laughter.
Modern Interpretations & Adaptations
As we look at the world today, it’s clear that much has changed since the origins of these CNY superstitions and taboos. Many of us now live in a fast-paced, modern society where traditional beliefs and practices can seem out of place or even irrelevant. So how do these superstitions and taboos fare in the modern world?
One way to look at it is through the lens of cultural preservation. For many people, especially those with strong ties to their cultural heritage, these superstitions and taboos are an important part of maintaining tradition and preserving their identity. They may choose to continue practicing these beliefs and customs as a way to connect with their ancestors and honor their cultural heritage.
On the other hand, others may view these superstitions and taboos more flexibly and adapt them to fit their contemporary lifestyles and beliefs. For example, some people may celebrate the New Year with a modern twist, such as hosting a Lunar New Year’s Eve party with friends rather than visiting relatives. Or, they may choose to decorate their house with modern decorations rather than traditional decorations.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that these superstitions and taboos are not set in stone and can be adapted to fit our modern lives. And as we live in a diverse and multicultural society, it’s important to remember that each person may have their way of interpreting and adapting these beliefs to fit with their beliefs, values, and traditions.
As we can see, these superstitions and taboos have evolved and been passed down through generations, each with its own story and meaning. And while some of them may seem strange or even ridiculous to some, they all have one thing in common: they are rooted in the belief that specific actions or behaviors can influence the flow of good luck and fortune. Understanding the origins and explanations behind these beliefs can help us appreciate the rich tapestry of culture and tradition that makes CNY such a unique and meaningful celebration.
While we can’t guarantee that following these customs will bring you good luck, we can promise one thing: a holiday filled with delicious food, laughter, and the love of family and friends. So this CNY 2024, let’s raise a glass to good fortune, good health, and entertaining customs.
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