Can I go back to my parents' home on New Year's Eve? What are the taboos for my daughter to go back to her parents' home?

As the saying goes, a daughter who is married off is like water spilled. In ancient times, daughters would not return to their parents' home unless there was something important. However, this bad habit has gradually disappeared nowadays. So can I go back to my parents’ home on New Year’s Eve? What are the taboos for a daughter to return to her parents’ home?

Can I go back to my parents' home on New Year's Eve?

There is a saying that you cannot go back to your parents' home on New Year's Eve:

Statement 1:

Not going back to one's parents' home on New Year's Eve is a long-standing custom. It is said that New Year's Eve and Mid-Autumn Festival are days for families to reunite, but because women are married, they are no longer family members but outsiders. Therefore, they cannot go home for the New Year's Eve reunion, otherwise they would be committing a taboo. In some places, there is a saying that if outsiders are invited to the New Year’s Eve dinner, the family will go bankrupt.
Statement 2:
You can go back to your parents’ home on New Year’s Eve, but you cannot stay overnight there. Because a married girl is like spilled water, she is not allowed to see the lights in her parents' home on New Year's Eve, otherwise it will bring disaster and misfortune to her parents' home. There is also a saying that if a husband stays alone in his room on New Year's Eve, his life will be shortened.

Statement 3:

From a practical point of view, you can go back to your parents' home on New Year's Eve. After all, both parties are only children. Moreover, filial piety to parents should not be emphasized only during the Chinese New Year. Children should go home more often, care more about their parents' lives, and communicate more with their parents. If filial piety is done well in daily life, parents on both sides will be more able to understand, and a joyful Spring Festival will not lose the meaning of reunion.

Taboos for Daughters Returning to Their Parents' Home

1. It is not appropriate to go back to your parents’ home on the day of the Kitchen God Festival

In the Henan area, because women do not worship the Kitchen God, there is a custom that they should not return to their parents' home on the Kitchen God Day. Generally speaking, a bride should not stay too long at her parents' home. If she does, she will miss out on both her husband's family's affairs and her own family's affairs. A married girl is a guest and must be treated seriously.

2. Avoid going back to your parents’ home on the first day of the first lunar month

The first day of the first lunar month is the first day of the new year. The first day of the Lunar New Year is a festive day for family reunions. According to traditional customs, many places prohibit married daughters from returning to their parents' home on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Because in the minds of people in these areas, a married daughter is like spilled water, and she needs to reunite with her husband's family on New Year's Day.

3. Avoid touching pots and spoons when you return to your parents’ home

We often hear sayings like "If you don't kill your father-in-law by touching the spoon, your mother-in-law will die" and "If you don't kill your father-in-law by holding the fire pillar, your son-in-law will die." Although these words are extremely feudal and superstitious and have no scientific basis, they have been circulated among the people for a long time and can easily become a curse. Even if you know that they are false, hearing them often will have a negative impact on your mind.