Why do we take a bath on New Year's Eve? What are the rules for taking a bath on New Year's Eve?

For thousands of years, the Chinese nation has always followed some traditional customs, especially customs such as the Chinese New Year, which seem to have many particulars. For example, you have to take a bath on New Year’s Eve. So, why do we take a bath on New Year’s Eve?

Why do we take a bath on New Year's Eve?

1. On this day everyone is busy preparing for the New Year. There are many trivial matters to take care of. By the time everything is arranged, I feel dirty at the end of the day and I will feel uncomfortable if I don’t take a shower. Moreover, the New Year brings new atmosphere, everything needs to be renewed, and people also need to have a new attitude. After taking a hot bath, the blood circulation in the body is accelerated, the mood becomes relaxed and happy, and it adds to the festive atmosphere.

2. Taking a bath on New Year’s Eve has a very auspicious meaning. According to tradition, the dust on the body is dirty and represents foul air and bad luck. When the new year comes, people want to change their luck and get rid of the bad things from the old year so that everything will go smoothly in the coming year. This is a common mentality of seeking good fortune and avoiding misfortune. In folk culture, you often hear the elderly say that taking a good hot bath on New Year’s Eve can get rid of bad luck and troubles. New Year’s Eve is the day to get rid of the old and welcome the new, and everything needs to be kept clean and bright. This naturally involves cleaning yourself up, which means washing your body and putting on clean new clothes. This is the meaning of the New Year.

What are the rules for taking a bath on New Year's Eve?

1. This period is winter, and although it is a festival, the weather is still relatively cold. You can choose to bathe during the day when the temperature will be slightly higher. If you wash your hair and take a shower at night, try to do it early, otherwise you will catch a cold. In addition, there are usually more people at home during the Chinese New Year, and it will be crowded if you arrange it at night.

2. Children can bathe first. There is a folk saying that if children bathe first, it is a good sign, also known as "good luck water", which means they will grow up safely and healthily in the coming year. Adults don’t need to be so particular and can freely arrange their own appropriate bathing time.

3. Taking a bath on New Year’s Eve is a special ritual for children, called “washing with auspicious water”. That is, put one or two oranges in the bath water, and use the homonyms of "orange" and "lucky" to let the children get special blessings through this bath water. It means that after bathing in the "lucky water", the children will be one year older (in virtual age of course), and everything will go smoothly and well in the new year. Of course, adults are not so particular.

4. There is also a supporting custom for taking a bath during the Chinese New Year, which is not to take a bath on the first day of the new year. It is said that the meaning is "hoarding wealth", which means accumulating wealth and not letting it dissipate. An extension of this is not sweeping the floor or taking out the garbage on the first and second days of the New Year, which have the same meaning, meaning that wealth does not flow out of the family. Since we don’t take a bath on the first day of the new year, we must wash ourselves thoroughly on New Year’s Eve to welcome the new year. Stepping into the new year cleanly and refreshed means bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, bathing and changing clothes, which is also a good omen.

Can I take a shower during the day on New Year's Eve?

There is a saying that you can only take a bath at night on New Year’s Eve, but not during the day. Indeed, many people choose to take a bath after eating the New Year’s Eve dinner. In fact, you can take a bath during the day, whether in the morning or afternoon. Just put away what needs to be put away, clean what needs to be cleaned, and arrange what needs to be arranged before the midnight bell rings, and welcome the new year with a brand new and tidy attitude. But also remember, don't take a shower when you are very hungry or full, because it is bad for your stomach. Also, don't take a shower immediately after drinking, which often causes adverse effects such as low blood pressure and increased blood viscosity.

What is the meaning of taking a bath on New Year's Eve?

In some areas, bathing on this festival not only means bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new, but also has other special meanings. For example, in a Hakka area in southeastern Guangdong, taking a bath on New Year’s Eve is a specific ritual for children, called "washing with auspicious water." That is, put one or two oranges in the bath water, and use the homonyms of "orange" and "lucky" to let the children get special blessings through this bath water. It means that after bathing in the "lucky water", the children will be one year older (in virtual age), and everything will go smoothly and with good luck in the new year.