Chinese Taboos
Chinese Taboos
by Tan Ling
by Tan Ling
It is almost time for the most important Chinese festival of the year – the dawning of the Lunar New Year. On January 29 Chinese communities around the globe will celebrate the coming of the Year of the Dog by honouring age-old traditions. While many Chinese people today may not believe in these customs, they still practice them. They realise that these traditions provide continuity with the past and also provide the family with an identity.
Before any celebrations can begin, houses have to be thoroughly cleaned. On New Year's Day, no sweeping or dusting takes place for fear that good fortune will be swept away. Only from the fifth day may dirt be removed from the home - and then only by carrying it out the back door. Chinese believe that to sweep the dust and dirt out of your house by the front entrance is to sweep away the good fortune of the family.
Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. On the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, every door in the house, and even windows, have to be open to allow the old year to go out. Whatever you do on New Year's Day will set a precedent for the rest of the year. All debts have to be paid by this time and nothing should be lent on this day, as anyone who does so will be lending all the year.
No-one uses foul language or "unlucky" words. Negative terms and the word "four" (Ssu), which sounds like the word for death, are not to be uttered. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning. If you cry on New Year's day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they are mischievous.
On New Year's Day, you are not supposed to wash your hair because it would mean you have washed away good luck for the New Year. Red clothing is preferred. Children and unmarried friends are given “lai see”, little red envelopes with crisp one dollar bills inserted, for good fortune. No-one uses knives or scissors on this day, as it is believed this may cut off your fortune.
For the very superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out. The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what your fortunes will be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red birds or swallows. 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.
What you eat at this time is also very important – and plenty of food is consumed at this time. On New Year's Day, families eat a vegetarian dish called jai. Although the various ingredients in jai are root vegetables or fibrous vegetables, many people attribute various superstitious aspects to them.
They include the lotus seed (for male offspring), ginkgo nut (for silver ingots), black moss seaweed (for wealth), dried bean curd (for wealth and happiness), bamboo shoots (for wellness). One thing you should not include in your jai is tofu (fresh bean curd) as it is white and unlucky for New Year as the colour signifies death and misfortune.
Other popular foods at this time include a whole fish, to represent togetherness and abundance, and a chicken for prosperity. The chicken must be presented with a head, tail and feet to symbolize completeness. Noodles should be uncut, as they represent long life.
Here is a day-by-day account of the celebrations and the superstitions involved:
Day 1 (January 29, 2006) : Don't eat meat. The first day of the Lunar New Year is "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth." People abstain from meat on this day of the New Year because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.
Day 2 : Take care of the dogs. Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.
Day 3 and 4 : Respect parents-in-law. The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
Day 5 : Don't visit friends. The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay at home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
Day 5 : Don't visit friends. The fifth day is called Po Woo. On that day people stay at home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.
Days 6 : Visit relatives and friends freely. This is also a time to visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
Day 7 : Drink vegetables and eat raw fish. This is the day for farmers to display their produce. These farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The seventh day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.
Day 8 : Fujian people have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
Day 9: Make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
Day 10-12. Invite friends and relatives for dinner.
Day 13 : After so much rich food on the previous two days, this day you should eat simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
Day 10-12. Invite friends and relatives for dinner.
Day 13 : After so much rich food on the previous two days, this day you should eat simple rice congee and mustard greens (choi sum) to cleanse the system.
Day 14 : Prepare to celebrate the Lantern Festival.
Day 15 (11 February, 2006) : Celebrate the Lantern Festival.
You can join Chinese New Year celebrations in cities and towns throughout China or major Asian capitals like Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur. However, with millions of Chinese people heading home and to holiday destinations over this period, bookings need to be made as soon as possible.
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