CNY Taboos !

    Hey guys. Probably y'all must be wondering what's with that CNY posts. Yeah, I'm still in that mood cause I still receive oranges and treat...sksksksks....anyways, it would be good to know few things about CNY rite. Even I found out lots of things about CNY than the usual. And yes, sharing is good.

    Like other festivals, CNY too has its do's and don'ts. I know its superstitious and modern people don't really follow them but even if its not practiced, it's a good thing to at least respect the tradition. Also, such thing is a good story to pass down to the generations to come. You wouldn't wanna waste good stuff just like that. So here we go, taboos related to CNY....

#1: Avoid saying negative words

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#2: Be careful when handling glass/ceramics

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    Breaking ceramics or glass is equivalent to breaking your connection with fortune and prosperity. Thankfully, you can avert the damage by wrapping the broken pieces in red paper. The color red is very significant to Chinese culture as seen in many traditional Chinese New Year clothes and lucky Chinese New Year decoration. You must also murmur auspicious phrases while gathering the pieces. Suì suì píng ān is a popular expression. It conveys wishes of peace and security for the coming years. 

    So be careful with glassware when eating delicious Chinese New Year food or drinking Chinese New Year drinks! After the New Year, throw the shards wrapped in red paper into a lake or river.  The red paper was also used to wrap luck money before the emergence of the Chinese red pocket or red envelope.

#3: No sweeping

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    Sweeping the floor is one of the more well-known Chinese New Year taboos. It is generally forbidden to sweep the floor on the Spring Festival as it is equivalent to sweeping away good luck. On the contrary, a day before the celebration is dedicated specifically for cleaning and sweeping away luck that is bad. There is a way to clean your floor without turning down good luck. You just have to make sure that you start the outer edges of your home and sweep inwards. Afterward, you can throw away garbage on the fifth day after the celebration.

#4: Keep away sharp objects

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    In the past, using scissors and needles on the Spring celebration was prohibited to allow women to rest. It is also believed that sharp objects can cut your stream of wealth and success. Many if not all hair salons are also closed during the holidays because cutting hair is one of the more famous Chinese New Year taboos.  These businesses resume operations after the Lunar New Year. 

#5: Refrain from the in-laws

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    Multiple generations live together in traditional Chinese families and the bride usually moves into the groom’s home after the wedding. She should then celebrate the New Year with her in-laws.

    A wife returning to her parents is a sign of marital problems. If she does this on New Year’s Day, it could bring a series of marital problems and luck that is bad for the entire family throughout the year. Instead, the wife is allowed to visit her parents on the second day of the Spring Festival. Couples are encouraged to bring their children with them and offer modest gifts.

    But let's face the fact. Festivals are meant to be celebrated with our loved ones. So I think now its not an issue if you celebrate with your in laws and all.

#6: Don't request for repayment of debts

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#7: Avoid crying/fighting

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    To make sure your path to the new year is smooth, try not to fight or cry. If a child cries, they should not be reprimanded. All issues that arise during the Spring Festive celebration have to be addressed in a peaceful manner. Neighbors may even come over to try and resolve any problem in the household.

#8: Refrain from taking medicines

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    One of the more notorious Chinese New Year taboos dictates that taking medicine during the Spring Festive celebration can make you prone to sickness for the entire year. Needless to say, your health should be your primary concern if you have a chronic illness, get in an accident, or contract a serious disease. You should likewise avoid visiting the doctor, undergoing surgery, or getting injected. 

    Honestly, I don't see an issue here. If you're not well or required to visit the doctor or you're medication, I think its best that you just carry on with it. Prevention is better than cure. Why stall you're condition just for the festival. You still can enjoy the festival even if you take medicines you know. So be smart okay.

#9: Don't wake up a sleeping person

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    It is believed that if you wake someone from their sleep on the New Year, they will be bossed around and rushed around for the entire year. If I were you, I would take advantage of this and sleep as much as long as I want to!

    Also, giving bài nián is customary during the Spring Festival. But you have to make sure the recipient gets out of bed first. If not, they will be bed-ridden all year round. But still, wake the person up if you thing he or she is planning to skip the festival man. 

#10: No clocks as gift

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    In the culture of the chinese people, it is absolutely fine to be modest when giving gifts. It is the thought that counts after all. However, there are items that you should never give as gifts for the Spring Festival and clocks are the worst of them. In Chinese, sòng zhōng or “gifting clocks” is a homophoneof “paying one’s late respects.”

    Just to be clear, these taboos doesn't apply to all Chinese. As we know there are different types of Chinese. For instance, píng guǒ means “apple.” But in Shanghainese, it is bing gu, which sounds similar to “passed away from sickness.”

    If you have doubts or unclear of certain things, do feel free to ask Chinese friends or people you know for further enlightenment.