1. Spring Cleaning, Decorating the houses, Buying New Clothes
It is customary for all families to clean their house thoroughly before the arrival of the Lunar New Year, and all members of the household will be delegated duties accordingly. Little ones help to hang the festive decorations, while the older members of the family reorganise and clean the house. The whole family will also hit the shops for new clothes and get a fresh hair cut to signify a fresh start.
2. Reunion dinner
Everyone gathers at their elder grandparents’ home – where relatives and cousins gather and chat up gaily, before a sumptuous feast. Today, although it is increasingly common to hold reunion dinners at a restaurant (reservations are made early, due to the overwhelming response from the public), many still opt to prepare their own get-together. Traditional Chinese dishes are enjoyed by all, and everyone enjoys a hearty dinner.
3. Shou shui (守岁)to live longer
On Chinese New Year eve, children are expected to stay up as late as possible, as it is believed that the longer they stay awake, the longer their parents would live. Family members also reminisce about past year events. Probably the only time of the year where children get scolded for turning in early!
4. Honouring One’s Ancestors
On the 1st day of Chinese New Year, the family typically pays their respects to the Heavens and their ancestors by offering incense and food, in remembrance of how they have contributed to the family’s well-being today. The children follow their parent’s lead and bow three times to the altar, and enjoy a vegetarian meal to start of the year as they believe that abstaining from meat at the start of the year ensures long and happy lives. They may head to a temple to pray for good luck and prosperity for the whole family in the year ahead.
5. House visiting
Families will drop by their relatives’ houses to offer auspicious words and to catch-up with one another. 2 pairs of oranges will be given to the host, signifying good health and longevity.
Married couples will also dish out red packets (or angpaos) to children or unmarried individuals. A sum of money is placed inside the red packets, and the sum is always an even number (odd numbers are taboo). Red packets are also given to the elderly as a sign of respect.
6. Kitchen God
Sticky food, such as the Nian Gao, is often offered in households during the Chinese New Year. It is believed that the Kitchen God visits the mortal world during this time to report on how each family is doing to the Jade Emperor, and thus the sticky food will satisfy his appetite and make him say sweeter words or alternatively, ‘stick’ his mouth so that he cannot speak ill about the family.
CNY Superstitions and Taboos
• Clear your monetary debts before the Chinese New Year, as you don’t want to carry them into the next year. Also, don’t borrow or lend money during the 15 day festivities, as it is believed that your actions during the period will be repeated throughout the year.
• Settle your arguments and differences with your family, friends and colleagues.
• Don’t touch the brooms, it is bad luck. Leave household duties aside, as you will be sweeping your good luck out of the house (tired adults rejoice!)
• Never mention the word ‘four’, the latter is a homonym for ‘death’ in Mandarin and could earn you a slap. Ghost stories telling are also not acceptable as topics of conversation.
• Decorating your house with red ornaments brings you luck.
• If you break plates or glasses, it is a bad omen. Dispel it by quickly mentioning auspicious phrases.
