What are the taboos and rules for New Year's Day?

In our country, there are many taboos during the Chinese New Year, such as you cannot break dishes and chopsticks on New Year’s Eve, you cannot go to other people’s homes, etc. Today I will take you to understand the etiquette of New Year’s Eve. What about the taboos and etiquette of New Year’s Day? What are the etiquette of New Year’s greetings on New Year’s Day?

Taboos and precautions on the first day of the Lunar New Year

1. Avoid touching needles and threads

There is a folk saying: If you use needle and thread on the first day of the new year, you will pick at the dragon's tendons and get styes (the baby will be born with eyes as small as a sty). Women are also not allowed to use needles and thread, otherwise they will quarrel all year round and even feel uncomfortable as if they were pricked by needles all over their bodies.

2. Don’t let others take things from your pocket

Don't let others take things out of your pocket during the Chinese New Year, as this will mean that all your money for the entire year will be taken away by others.

3. You can’t take a nap on the first day of the new year

Taking a nap on the first day of the new year will make you lazy for the whole year. This saying that has been passed down among the people comes from an ancient saying: "No naps during the day" advises people not to be lazy, as it will affect their career luck for the whole year. In addition, taking a nap during the daytime during the Chinese New Year means that you will be lazy throughout the year, because many people will come to your home to pay New Year's greetings during the Chinese New Year, and it would be disrespectful to take a nap.

4. Don’t call someone’s name when waking them up

On the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, do not call out people's names to wake them up, as this means that the other person will be urged to do things throughout the year.

5. It is forbidden to kill or use knives

The knife represents evil and destruction, which are unlucky.

6. Avoid eating porridge, meat and medicine for breakfast

It is said that in ancient times, poor people would only eat porridge when they had no food to eat, so you must not eat porridge in the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year, which means that your family will be rich. The morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year is called the "Grand Gathering of All Gods". All the gods will come out to pay New Year's greetings. Remember not to eat vegetarian food, and try to eat vegetarian food.

7. Married daughters cannot visit their parents’ home

There is such a folk custom: if a married daughter returns to her parents' home on the first day of the New Year, she will eat her parents out of money, so she can only stay in her parents' home on the first day of the New Year.

8. Don’t wish a happy new year to someone who is sleeping

When you wish new year's greetings on the first day of the Lunar New Year, if the other person is still sleeping, remember not to wish him a happy new year. Legend has it that this will make the other person feel depressed for the whole year.

9. Avoid taking medicine

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, it is best not to take any medicine unless you are seriously ill and have to take medicine.

10. You cannot borrow money or collect debts on the first day of the Lunar New Year.

During the Spring Festival, people who are being asked to pay back debts or who have borrowed money from others will be unlucky for the whole year. Remember to pay off debts before the New Year, and do not go door to door to collect debts from the first to the fifth day of the New Year, otherwise you will be unlucky for the whole year.

What are the customs of New Year’s greetings on the first day of the Lunar New Year?

New Year greetings usually start at home. On the morning of the first day of the New Year, after getting up, the younger generation should first greet the elders and wish them good health, longevity and all the best. After receiving the greetings, the elders will distribute the "lucky money" prepared in advance to the younger generations. After paying New Year's greetings to the elders at home, people will also congratulate each other with a smile when they meet outside, and say auspicious words such as "Congratulations on making a fortune", "Good luck in all seasons", and "Happy New Year". Neighbors or relatives and friends will also visit each other to pay New Year's greetings or invite each other for drinks and entertainment.

On the first day of the first lunar month, men, women, old and young, all are neatly dressed, well-mannered, kowtow and bow, wishing a happy new year and respecting the elderly. According to traditional customs, the first day of the New Year is a day to pay New Year's greetings to the elders in the clan, and from the second day onwards, people start visiting relatives and friends. As the saying goes, "Nephews pay New Year's greetings on the second and third days of the New Year." According to custom, when a nephew visits his relatives, he should first pay New Year's greetings to his grandparents, uncles and aunts, then his aunts and uncles, and so on. New Year's greetings are based on closeness or distance, this is an ethical etiquette. The fifth day of the first lunar month is called "Po Wu", and every household has to sweep away garbage and dump dirty soil. It’s a bit late to wish you a happy new year now.

With the development of society, the forms of New Year greetings have become more diverse. It is possible to send New Year greetings by phone, telex, online, mailing greeting cards, etc.