With the arrival of the Lunar New Year, it’s time to embrace fresh beginnings and celebrate the traditions that bring hope for wealth, health, and success.
As we say goodbye to the Year of the Dragon and welcome the Year of the Snake, it’s a moment of reflection and renewal.
For those celebrating, Lunar New Year is steeped in cultural traditions and superstitions designed to invite luck and prosperity into the year ahead.
Here’s a guide to some cherished customs that make the season special.
CLEAN YOUR HOME (BEFORE, NOT DURING)
Chinese tradition holds that cleaning on New Year’s Day sweeps away good luck along with the dust.
To ensure your home is ready for guests and festive celebrations, give it a thorough cleaning beforehand.
If you must tidy up after New Year’s Day, sweep dirt inward and out the back door rather than towards the front to keep your good fortune intact.
FEAST FOR GOOD FORTUNE
Food plays a central role in Lunar New Year celebrations.
Eating a whole steamed fish symbolises abundance and unity, while long, uncut noodles represent longevity, cutting them is thought to shorten life.
For an auspicious meal, include six or eight dishes, as these numbers are linked to good luck in many celebrating culture.
Traditional dishes often have names symbolising prosperity and happiness, adding deeper meaning to the festivities.
USHER IN THE NEW YEAR WITH NOISE
Firecrackers and fireworks are a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations. At the stroke of midnight, they help send away the old year and usher in the new. Opening all windows and doors at this time is another tradition to release bad luck and misfortune while inviting positive energy into your home.
EMBRACE THE POWER OF RED
Red is the colour of prosperity, joy, and protection. It’s a key feature of the New Year, seen in clothing, decorations, and the iconic red envelopes filled with money (hongbao). Wearing red is said to brighten your year, and giving red packets to children or unmarried family members symbolises sharing good fortune.
CLEAR YOUR DEBTS
A clean financial slate is essential for a fresh start. Paying off debts before New Year’s Day is believed to ensure a smoother financial journey for the coming year. Settling debts can also bring peace of mind and positive energy into your celebrations.
CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY
Words hold power, especially during Lunar New Year. Avoid speaking about misfortune, death, or using negative language, as it’s believed these can bring bad luck.
Similarly, references to the past year should be minimised, focusing instead on the optimism and possibilities of the New Year.
CELEBRATE WITH INTENTION
Whether or not you believe in the superstitions, observing these traditions can deepen your appreciation for Lunar New Year’s cultural significance. Practices like paying off debts or embracing positivity can add meaningful habits to your life.
This article is for general information purposes only and whilst the information in it is believed to be reliable, it has not been independently verified by us. You are advised to exercise your own independent judgement with the contents in this article. – Standard Chartered Bank
