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The Lunar New Year is an occasion steeped in tradition … but how many of us today (including
the older Chinese folks) really know about these ancient customs? Well, here is a foolproof
checklist to pave the way for a successful year ahead and to ensure that no blunders are
committed during this auspicious period!
DO decorate your home with auspicious symbols such as the red couplets. These couplets
contain poetic phrases announcing good wishes and blessings.
DO get your haircut and new clothes, preferably in red, for a brand new you when the New Year
arrives!
DON’T start the year laden with debts! Pay up all your bills and begin with a clean slate.
DO open all your windows and doors at the stroke of midnight to allow the old year to leave and
the New Year to enter. DO celebrate with lots of noise and merry-making!
DON’T go lending money to people on the eve as anyone who do so will find themselves lending
money all year round.
DON’T use foul language or unlucky words like ‘sei’ (this means four in Cantonese), which
phonetically sounds like death too! Telling ghost stories or stories about death and dying are
totally taboo. Instead talk about your future plans and dreams for the coming year.
DO keep all doors and windows open throughout the day to allow the new luck to fill your home.
Keep every part of your home well lit to ensure maximum luck!
DO ensure your first taste is something sweet so that the year will bring your much good news.
DON’T sweep the floor or use scissors or get your hair cut! This signifies sweeping away your
good fortune.
DO be kind to every dog you meet on this day, as today is the birthday of every dog.
DO bring out your Wealth Vase and orientate it as such so that the Wealth God inside faces the
correct direction.
DON’T use utensils made of ceramic or stone on the tenth day, as it will bring a lot of discord and
disharmony in the year ahead.