Why can't you wash your hair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year? Which days of the Lunar New Year can't you wash your hair?

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, every household will do a thorough cleaning, which was called "sweeping the year" in ancient times, to remove dust and dirt, and to purify the yard and house. This day is commonly known as "Po Wu". Many taboos are lifted on this day, but some people say that you cannot wash your hair on this day. So why can’t we wash our hair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year?

Why can't you wash your hair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year?

You can wash your hair on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, but you cannot wash your hair or take a bath from the first to the third day of the Lunar New Year.

People believe that the first three days of the New Year are the birthdays of the Water God, so you cannot touch or pour water, otherwise it would be disrespectful to the Water God. Taking a bath or washing your hair during these days will wash away your good fortune, so you cannot wash your hair on the third day of the New Year, but you can wash your hair at will after the third day. On the other hand, the fifth day of the Lunar New Year is commonly known as "Po Wu". According to Chinese folk sayings, many taboos a few days before the fifth day can be lifted. After this day, the atmosphere of the Spring Festival will be relatively weaker because the climax of the festival has passed, so you can wash your hair and take a bath.

Which days in the first month of the lunar year can't you wash your hair?

People believe that the days when it is not suitable to wash hair include the first, second, third, seventh, thirteenth and twenty-ninth days of the first lunar month. The specific statements vary from place to place, so everyone should mainly respect local traditional customs;

In the old custom, emphasis was placed on taking a bath on New Year's Eve. New Year's Eve refers to the last night of the twelfth lunar month of each year, which is connected to the first day of the first lunar month. The word "chu" in "Chuxi" means "to go; to change; to alternate". Chuxi means "the end of the month and the year". People have to get rid of the old and usher in the new. It means to get rid of the old year and start a new year next year. It is the last night of the lunar calendar. Therefore, the activities during this period are centered around getting rid of the old and welcoming the new, and eliminating disasters and praying for blessings. You can wash your hair and take a bath on New Year’s Eve, which means bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, and is also a good omen. Taking a bath on New Year’s Eve can get rid of today’s bad luck and welcome the arrival of the new year!