Hello Contributors!
We’re excited to share the design for our “Year of the Snake” Lunar New Year event badge!
Click here for details on how to earn this badge.
Did you know that it’s considered bad luck to wash one’s hair on Lunar New Year’s day because it’s believed it washes away good fortune?
Here are more traditions and superstitions around Lunar New Year!
- Deep clean your house to welcome a fresh start but don’t sweep or take out the garbage on the first day of Lunar New Year. This is because sweeping is viewed as sweeping your wealth away and taking out the garbage symbolizes the dumping out of good luck.
- Get your hair cut before Lunar New Year. This tradition symbolizes getting rid of bad luck or any negative energy associated with the last year. In Chinese, the word “hair” is similar to the character “proper” so cutting your hair during Lunar New Year celebrations could reduce your fortunes.
- Don’t wash your clothes. This is because the traditional water god symbolizes wealth and you don’t want to upset the god and risk bringing yourself back luck.
- Don’t use scissors or knives. The blades are said to represent sharp lips when people quarrel and using scissors is said to invoke quarrels for the new year. Using knives is believed to lead to inauspicious things and the depletion of wealth in the coming year.
- Wear red because red symbolizes happiness, vitality, hope, and good luck and scares away evil spirits. Don’t wear black or white because those colors are traditionally associated with grief and mourning and are therefore unlucky.
Many who celebrate Lunar New Year adhere to these superstitions because they believe they will invite good luck and set the tone for prosperity and happiness in the year ahead!
Happy Lunar New Year!
