文化 | Taboos of the Spring Festival
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Taboos are the natural fruits of ancient civilizations. In ancient times, taboos were generally considered repulsive or frightening to people.
With a civilization of some 5,000 years, China is rife with taboos. They're especially prevalent during the Spring Festival, when good luck is valued more than anything else. Some of them have even been handed down.
But today, instead of being prohibited by law or convention, the taboos are more of a habit or common sense. So, what are the widely-known taboos during the Spring Festival?
Children play games during the Spring Festival. /VCG File Photo
No 'ominous words' mentioned
Starting on the Spring Festival Eve, words considered ominous would be avoided as much as possible. For instance, "die," "empty," "poor," "sick," and "gone" are all on the list. People believe that these words will bring bad luck to the coming year.
Like trick-or-treating during Halloween, children are allowed to enjoy their small tricks a little bit during the day, as the Chinese believe that it is unlucky to cry or weep on the last day of the lunar new year. Children would not get punished for being naughty on the day, but of course, only in moderation.
Illustration of people celebrating the Spring Festival in ancient days. /VCG Photo
If porcelains are broken during the day, people would say "Sui Sui Ping An," which means "wish you safe and sound every year". In Chinese, the pronunciation for "broken" is the same as "Sui," which means a year.
No bathing on Spring Festival Day
Chiming into the Lunar New Year, bathing and hair-washing are not recommended on the first day, which is known as the Spring Festival. But of course, it has nothing to do with hygiene.
It is a tradition for the Chinese people to take a bath and put on their new clothes during the day before, to welcome the "New" year.
Taking a bath before the Spring Festival. /VCG Photo
But for the first day of the New Year, the ancient Chinese believed that taking a bath on the day will wash out their good luck of wealth. For similar reasons, the garbage of the previous day would not be thrown out until the next day. Nowadays, the taboo of bathing during the Spring Festival is no longer strictly followed, and the only things that remain unchanged are people's best wishes for the New Year.
No haircut before the end of the 1st lunar month
Another famous taboo that is probably still followed by many Chinese people is "haircut".
According to Chinese tradition, people need to get a haircut before the Spring Festival to welcome the biggest holiday of the year. But if you fail to get one, you need to wait until the first lunar month ends.
Illustration of people celebrating the Spring Festival. /VCG Photo
The taboo is a little superstitious, saying that having a haircut in the first lunar month would lead to the death of one's uncle. However, it is in fact a misunderstanding.
The taboo was formed in 1644 when the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) conquerors ordered all men of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to get a haircut, and those who disobeyed would be beheaded. People of the former Ming Dynasty passed on the tradition of refusing a haircut during the Spring Festival, in order to remember the previous dynasty.
"Si Jiu" in Chinese means "missing the past," but pronounces the same as "the death of one's uncle". Even though the historical origin of the taboo has long been forgotten, many Chinese in rural areas still follow the tradition of not cutting hair during the first lunar month.
A child is getting a haircut on the 2nd day of the second lunar month, according to tradition. /VCG Photo
The taboo is also often related to another tradition of getting a haircut on the second day of the second lunar month. Derived from ancient Chinese astronomy, the day is marked as the “dragon lifting up its head” and is considered an auspicious day in Chinese culture. It is believed that having a haircut on this day will bring good luck.
Most of the taboos have long lost their original meaning and mystery as time goes by. However, they have survived and are still practiced in many areas. The difference is while following the so-called taboos, many aren't thinking of the negative consequences of not following them but the good luck of doing so.
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Source:CGTN, etc.
Top 10 taboos during the Chinese New Year
The Spring Festival is a time of celebration. It’s to welcome the new year with a smile and let the fortune and happiness continue on. At the same time, the Spring Festival involves somber ceremonies to wish for a good harvest. Strict rules and restrictions go without saying.
To help you with that, here are the top 10 taboos during the Chinese New Year. Follow these and fortune will smile on you.
1. Do not say negative words
All words with negative connotations are forbidden! These include: death, sick, empty, pain, ghost, poor, break, kill and more.
The reason behind this should be obvious. You wouldn’t want to jinx yourself or bring those misfortunes onto you and your loved ones.
2. Do not break ceramics or glass
Breaking things will break your connection to prosperity and fortune. If a plate or bowl is dropped, immediately wrap it with red paper while murmuring auspicious phrases. Some would say 岁岁平安 (suì suì píng ān). This asks for peace and security every year. 岁 (suì) is also a homophone of 碎, which means “broken” or “shattered.” After the New Year, throw the wrapped up shards into a lake or river.
3. Do not clean or sweep
Before the Spring Festival, there is a day of cleaning. That is to sweep away the bad luck. But during the actual celebration, it becomes a taboo. Cleaning or throwing out garbage may sweep away good luck instead.
If you must, make sure to start at the outer edge of a room and sweep inwards. Bag up any garbage and throw it away after the 5th day. Similarly, you shouldn’t take a shower on Chinese New Year’s Day.
4. Do not use scissors, knives or other sharp objects
There are 2 reasons behind this rule. Scissors and needles shouldn’t be used. In olden times, this was to give women a well-deserved break.
Sharp objects in general will cut your stream of wealth and success. This is why 99% of hair salons are closed during the holidays. Hair cutting is taboo and forbidden until Lunar February 2, when all festivities are over.
5. Do not visit the wife’s family
Traditionally, multiple generations live together. The bride moves into the groom’s home after marriage. And, of course, she will celebrate Chinese New Year with her in-laws.
Returning to her parents on New Year’s Day means that there are marriage problems and may also bring bad luck to the entire family. The couple should visit the wife’s family on the 2nd day. They’d bring their children, as well as a modest gift (because it’s the thought that counts).
6. Do not demand debt repayment
This custom is a show of understanding. It allows everyone a chance to celebrate without worry. If you knock on someone’s door, demanding repayment, you’ll bring bad luck to both parties. However, it’s fair game after the 5th day. Borrowing money is also taboo. You could end up having to borrow the entire year.
7. Avoid fighting and crying
Unless there is a special circumstance, try not to cry. But if a child cries, do not reprimand them. All issues should be solved peacefully. In the past, neighbors would come over to play peacemaker for any arguments that occurred. This is all to ensure a smooth path in the new year.
8. Avoid taking medicine
Try not to take medicine during the Spring Festival to avoid being sick the entire year. Of course, if you are chronically ill or contract a sudden serious disease, immediate health should still come first.
Some related taboos:
Don’t visit the doctor
Don’t perform/undergo surgery
Don’t get shots
9. Do not give New Year blessings to someone still in bed
You are supposed to give New Year blessings (拜年—bài nián). But let the recipient get up from bed first. Otherwise, they’ll be bed-ridden for the entire year. You also shouldn’t tell someone to wake up. You don’t want them to be rushed around and bossed around for the year. Take advantage of this and sleep in!
10. Chinese gift-giving taboos
It was mentioned above that you should bring gifts when paying visits. It’s the thought that counts, but some gifts are forbidden.
Clocks are the worst gifts. Gifting clocks (送钟—sòng zhōng) is a homophone of paying one’s last respects (送终). Splitting pears (分梨—fèn lí) is also a homophone of separation (分离).
Some regions have their own local taboos too. For example, in Mandarin, “apple” (苹果) is pronounced píng guǒ. But in Shanghainese, it is bing1 gu, which sounds like “passed away from sickness.”
These don’t just apply to the Spring Festival, so keep it in the back of your mind!
For the Spring Festival, these rules may seem excessive. Especially when you add in the cultural norms, customs and manners. But like a parent would say, they are all for your own good. Formed over thousands of years, these taboos embody the beliefs, wishes and worries of the Chinese people.