I've been Google-ing Chinese New Year superstitions and taboos, and it's astonishing how many there are. From the ones I've been told from young, to the downright bizarre.
In order of my awareness of them:
1. Children and unmarried friends, as well as close relatives are given ang paos, little red envelopes with crisp dollar bills inserted, for good fortune.
2. Red clothing is preferred for Chinese New Year. Red is considered to be a bright and happy color, sure to bring the wearer a sunny and bright future. It is believed that appearance and attitude during New Year's sets the tone for the rest of the year.
3. Sweeping or dusting should not be done on New Year's Day for fear that good fortune will be swept away.
4. The baring of the use of knives and forks on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.
5. After New Year's Day, the floors may be swept. Beginning at the door, the dust and rubbish are swept to the middle of the parlor, then placed in the corners and not taken or thrown out until the fifth day. At no time should the rubbish in the corners be trampled upon. Also, to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family; it must always be swept inwards and then carried out, then no harm will follow.
6. It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
7. On New Year's Day, we are not supposed to wash our hair because it would mean we would have washed away good luck for the New Year.
While I'm not one for superstition, I still try my best to adhere to these traditions, aside from the not washing hair thing, because that's just weird. It's just that I'm starting to appreciate my being Chinese, and I think it'll be sad if all these traditions that have been passed down over the centuries get lost in transit between my mother's generation and mine. As a Chinese, I need to protect my culture, my identity.
I hear the Communist Party is recruiting.
