新年快乐！ Happy Chinese New Year!

February 9th, 2010 | 40 comments


Chinese New Year Dragon

Chinese New Year is on a different day every year because the holiday is based on the lunar calendar. Learning about my own traditions has always been a hands-on, and sometimes painful, experience. When I was 5, I stuck my chopsticks upright in my bowl of white rice and got whacked. I later learned you only do that when making offerings to the deceased. Oops!

Chinese New Year celebrations began with the legend of a wild beast called Nian. “Nian” in Chinese means year. Nian appeared at the end of every year to cause ruckus in villages and terrorizing villagers. Loud noises and bright lights were used to scare away the wild beast and that’s how Chinese Year celebrations were born. This time of year brings about the strangest superstitions.

  • On the eve of Chinese New Year, children should sleep after midnight to ensure their parents will live a long life. I’m not sure if the later you sleep, the longer your parents will live. That might be important. I’m usually out by 12:01 AM.
  • Clean the house spotless before the first day of Chinese New Year. This is a must because…
  • During Chinese New Year, sweeping and cleaning is a no-no. (I’m all for that.) If you do, you’re sweeping all the good luck out of the door.
  • Don’t buy books. In Chinese, the word “book” is a homonym for ‘lose.’ You don’t want a sucky year.
  • Don’t buy shoes. In Chinese, the word “shoes” is a homonym for ‘rough.’ You don’t want a hard year either. Unless, you like to hustle.
  • Pay off your debts. If you start the new year in the red, you’ll finish the same way. Ahem – Dad (You owe me money.)
  • No talks of ghost or death. It’s an extremely bad omen. Boogie Monster? Psh…I’ve seen bigger boogers.
  • Wear red – my favorite color and the ultimate bringer of good luck.
  • Eat sweets, as in candy, so you’ll have a “sweet” year. Heellllooo, chocolate.
  • Open your windows and doors to let in good luck. And the Arctic breeze.
  • Put away scissors and knives. Sharp objects cut away your good luck.
  • Don’t get a haircut, or you’ll have your good luck chopped off. And trust me, the “barbers” around my way like to chop.
  • Don’t wash your hair, or you’ll wash away good luck. Good thing Chinese people don’t have nappy hair.
  • Set off firecrackers to welcome the new year and chase away evil spirits. Or if you just like blowing things up.

Thanks @darrickjlee for contributing. I think I’ve got most of it. Right?

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  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com/ Candice

    I could get used to the chocolate thing! Although I already fail for the debt.

  • http://www.candicedoestheworld.com Candice

    I could get used to the chocolate thing! Although I already fail for the debt.

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  • Anonymous

    Very cool! I’ve never celebrated Chinese New Year but always wondered about it. Also, if this falls on the US holiday of Valentine’s Day….I think I’d much prefer this to Vday!!

  • http://www.kirstenalana.com Kirsten

    Very cool! I’ve never celebrated Chinese New Year but always wondered about it. Also, if this falls on the US holiday of Valentine’s Day….I think I’d much prefer this to Vday!!

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    Haha! We’ll, there’s always next year. ;)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    I agree! It should be Valentine’s Day every day.

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    Haha! We’ll, there’s always next year. ;)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    I agree! It should be Valentine’s Day every day.

  • http://www.startbackpacking.com/ Greg Rodgers

    Fun stuff – hadn’t heard most of these….thanks!

    Cheers,
    Greg

  • http://www.startbackpacking.com Greg Rodgers

    Fun stuff – hadn’t heard most of these….thanks!

    Cheers,
    Greg

  • http://www.theaussienomad.com/ Chris – The Aussie Nomad

    Great post Monica. I had no idea about the Chinese new year to be honest. You hear it mentioned now and then but that’s all. That sure is a lot of superstitions I can imagine there are many more depending on who you ask.

  • http://www.theaussienomad.com Chris – The Aussie Nomad

    Great post Monica. I had no idea about the Chinese new year to be honest. You hear it mentioned now and then but that’s all. That sure is a lot of superstitions I can imagine there are many more depending on who you ask.

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Chris – The Aussie Nomad: Thanks Chris! When you make it to China on your RTW trip, maybe you’ll discover some superstitions I never knew of. ;)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Chris – The Aussie Nomad: Thanks Chris! When you make it to China on your RTW trip, maybe you’ll discover some superstitions I never knew of. ;)

  • http://www.travelswithtwo.com/ Melanie@TravelsWithTwo

    Monica, happy new year to you! I’m mortified to find that not only did I space the SuperBowl, but Chinese New Year, as well! (And I call myself an American…) Thanks for teaching me about what’s involved in preparing for a real Chinese celebration — I’ll be sure to eat some sweets today to make up for lost time!

  • http://www.travelswithtwo.com Melanie@TravelsWithTwo

    Monica, happy new year to you! I’m mortified to find that not only did I space the SuperBowl, but Chinese New Year, as well! (And I call myself an American…) Thanks for teaching me about what’s involved in preparing for a real Chinese celebration — I’ll be sure to eat some sweets today to make up for lost time!

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Melanie@TravelsWithTwo: Thanks Melanie! But you didn’t miss Chinese New Year yet! The first day of the holiday starts Sunday on February 14th. But if you just want an excuse to indulge yourself in sweets, you can start celebrating the holiday now…like I am! :)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Melanie@TravelsWithTwo: Thanks Melanie! But you didn’t miss Chinese New Year yet! The first day of the holiday starts Sunday on February 14th. But if you just want an excuse to indulge yourself in sweets, you can start celebrating the holiday now…like I am! :)

  • http://www.mybeautifuladventures.com/ Andi

    Awesome post! Even though I know SO much about Chinese culture, there were still a couple of things in your post that I was unaware of. I want as much good luck as I can get in 2010!!!

    It’s really cool that Chinese NY and V-day are on the same day–it’s gonna be a year of love for everyone…

  • http://www.mybeautifuladventures.com Andi

    Awesome post! Even though I know SO much about Chinese culture, there were still a couple of things in your post that I was unaware of. I want as much good luck as I can get in 2010!!!

    It’s really cool that Chinese NY and V-day are on the same day–it’s gonna be a year of love for everyone…

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Andi: There’s plenty for me to learn about my own culture. I’ve barely scraped the surface. I seriously need to return to China. I miss it so much!

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    @Andi: There’s plenty for me to learn about my own culture. I’ve barely scraped the surface. I seriously need to return to China. I miss it so much!

  • http://www.theaussienomad.com/ Chris – The Aussie Nomad

    test test test – i can’t help myself I keep seeing the emails come though :)

  • http://www.theaussienomad.com Chris – The Aussie Nomad

    test test test – i can’t help myself I keep seeing the emails come though :)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    I’m so sorry! Lol – I’m trying to make my comments appear from the oldest to newest and include threads. #Fail (You know you’re addicted when you use hashtags even though you’re not on Twitter.)

  • http://www.apairofpantiesandboxers.com/ Monica

    I’m so sorry! Lol – I’m trying to make my comments appear from the oldest to newest and include threads. #Fail (You know you’re addicted when you use hashtags even though you’re not on Twitter.)

  • http://twitter.com/iwishgapyear iwishgapyear

    thats really interesting . . . though my office is freezing so the door is staying shut! :-)

  • monica530

    Haha! Yea, it's a little too nippy here to leave our doors open but cracking open a window will do. Thanks for visiting my blog. I hope you like what you find here. ;)

  • Aileen

    And I was thinking of cleaning my flat, good thing I read your post, otherwise i would have swept ll my luck away. Thanks Mon!! ;)

    Happy new yeare!! Oh! by the way, in Norway, today is mother's day as well, AND another traditional norwegian thingie where they bake buns and stuff them with jam and whipped cream. dont ask me why, I am not Norwegian in that aspect ;)

  • monica530

    新年快乐！I'm glad I could save you from cleaning out all the good luck. It was also Valentine's Day today too. Our Mother's Day is in May. Unfortunately we don't have a holiday where everyone bakes buns stuffed with jam and ice cream. I think if we had that kind of holiday, Americans would be happier people. Lol!

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  • http://worldaccording2lisa.blogspot.com/ LadyWanderlust

    I wish I was more connected to my German heritage…I mean I know we like to drink beer and eat potatoes, but that is about it. LOVE the image of the dragon. Thanks for sharing.

  • monica530

    Haha I'd be interested to know more too about my own heritage. There is still so much to learn. It never ends. The fastest way to learn us to go there. I think maybe you should make a trip out to Germany. :)

  • http://www.abandonthecube.com/blog Lauren

    We were in Shanghai for New Years last year and the entire city was alight with fireworks! It was the most amazing thing I've ever see, great way to bring in the Chinese New Year.

  • monica530

    I was there 2 years ago. Amazing isn't? Did you guys take pictures? Please share! I miss Shanghai a lot.

  • http://www.marblecleaningmiami.com Polishng Marble WEST PALMBEACH

    Chinese New Year is on Valentine’s Day this year!!Great news huh! Had Valentine’s Day been celebrated each day!!Wouldn’t it be amazing!!Loved being here!

  • http://www.moldremoval.com Mold Removal Inglewood

    that’s really interesting .

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  • Kaesteve

    Is the dragon your photo?

  • Anonymous

    No it’s not. I wish I could take pictures like that. If you click on the photo, it will take to you this link: http://maikulian.com/2009/01/26/kota-kinabalu-malaysia/. It’s where I got the image from.

  • Evette

    i luv the pic but all the good luck and etc. i could not do that

  • http://www.theuniuni.com/ Payton_vege

    Amazing write-up! This could aid plenty of people find out more about this particular issue. Are you keen to integrate video clips coupled with these? It would absolutely help out. Your conclusion was spot on and thanks to you; I probably won’t have to describe everything to my pals. I can simply direct them here!