Interesting Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year, also popularly known as Lunar New Year, is regarded as a good time for everyone to celebrate and reconnect with their loved ones. Many people who follow the Chinese traditions regard it as the most important event on the Asian calendar. For people who want to follow Chinese customs, it is good to know how to prepare homes for the Lunar year, and the things many people have no clue about. Here are some interesting things about Chinese New year, which you might not be knowing.

The Biggest Annual Migration in the World

More than one billion people travel across the globe to their hometowns during the Chinese New Year, and most of them travel via planes, cars, buses, and trains. The largest migration that happens annually is during the Lunar Year, and they call it Chunyan in China. However,  with travel restrictions imposed by several countries due to the pandemic, many are bound to miss celebrations in their hometown this year.

Home Cleaning is Forbidden on First Day of the New Year

One of the many interesting things about Chinese New Year is that cleaning home on the first day is not allowed as it is believed to sweep or wash away any good luck that arrived at the stroke of midnight. Cleaning equipment such as dusters, brooms, brushes, and even pans are kept away and they remain untouched during the evening. Washing of clothes on the first two days of the New Year is also believed to be inauspicious as it is the birthday of the Water God.

Cleaning is done before the New Year to get rid of bad luck. Many families do a spring cleaning to tidy up the home including laundry.

Opening the Doors and Windows to Welcome New Year

People who follow the Chinese beliefs open the doors and windows of all households as soon as the clock strikes midnight. Many of them believe that this act lets the old year's energy go out, and welcome the vibes of the new year. 

Staying at Home on the Third Day of New Year

The ancient superstitions suggest people stay home on the third day of the new year. This day is peculiarly known as Chi Kou Ri, which means the day of red mouth. It is not regarded as a good day to socialise according to Chinese beliefs. Chinese traditions say that there are chances of quarrelling with family and friends if we go out. Some other beliefs also warn people not to clean their house, make fire and eat rice on this day. 

Eating Lo Han Jai/Buddha’s Delight 

According to the Buddhist customs, no one should kill any animal or fish on the first day of Chinese New Year. Many families stick on to eating a vegetarian meal called the Buddha’s delight/Lo Han Jai. It consists of eighteen ingredients, and each of these ingredients symbolises something special. People add bamboo shoots in it in the belief that it would aid wellness. They also add lotus seed in Jai to encourage the birth of a male offspring; moss seaweed to gain wealth.

Eating Tofu is Considered as Welcoming Misfortune

According to the Chinese tradition, one of the many interesting things about Chinese New Year is that eating tofu during the Lunar New Year symbolises misfortune and death, since it is white. Therefore, people who follow these customs refrain from eating tofu during the New Year season.

Hanging the Chinese Alphabet Upside Down

The Chinese alphabet Fu brings good luck to the family according to Chinese beliefs. People usually hang depictions of Fu embossed into wooden labels, outside their homes and business buildings, but upside down. The character for upside-down - Dao, is pronounced the same as the character - arrive. Therefore, turning and hanging the Chinese character Fu upside down at homes is what most people do.

Keeping Flowers at Homes as a Symbol of Rebirth 

Fresh flowers are kept in and out of most homes to symbolize growth and rebirth during the New Year. People who follow the Chinese traditions fill their spaces with plum blossoms, which symbolize hope and courage. 

Follow the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year to celebrate the festive season in its true sense. As you know, it begins with spring cleaning and tidying up your home. Book cleaning/deep cleaning services on the Sendhelper app before the arrival of the new year.