Fact or Superstition?

One should not sweep or take out garbage on the first few days of the Lunar New Year.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

The act of sweeping on this day is associated with sweeping wealth away.

Taking out garbage symbolises dumping out the good luck or good fortune from the house.

Chinese New Year falls on a different day each year.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

Chinese New Year isn’t on the same day every year. It’s usually in late January or February. The date is worked out by the ‘New Moon’. This is when there is a new lunar cycle and is the first phase of the moon when it is a crescent moon.

One should avoid taking medicine during the Lunar New Year.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

It is taboo for a person to brew herbal medicine or take medicine on the first day of the lunar year, otherwise, it is believed that he or she will get ill for a whole year.

Don't eat porridge and meat for breakfast.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

Porridge should not be eaten, because it is considered that only poor people have porridge for breakfast, and people don't want to start the year "poor" as this is a bad omen.

Besides, meat should not be eaten at this breakfast out of respect for the (Buddhist) gods (who are believed to be against killing of animals), as all gods are expected to be out meeting and wishing a happy New Year to each other.

The Lunar New Year celebration lasts for 15 days.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

The Chinese New Year isn’t only celebrated on one day.

Traditionally it is celebrated across 15 days and ends when there is a full moon!

Chinese New Year ends with a Lantern Festival.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

The Chinese New Year always ends with the Lantern Festival.

During the Lantern Festival, people will release flying lanterns into the sky.

They will also spend it celebrating with their families.

The Lantern Festival is all about reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.

Don't use scissors or knives.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

The blades of the scissors are thought to be like sharp lips when people quarrel.

Using scissors on the first day of Chinese New Year is perceived as an invocation for quarrels with others in the coming year.

The use of knives is to be avoided for any accident, whether harming a person or tool, is thought to lead to inauspicious things and the depletion of wealth in the coming year.

Lion and dragon dances are very popular during Chinese New Year celebrations.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

It is believed that they will bring good fortune to the local area.

During these dances, you will hear lots of loud drums.

The loud noise is said to drive all of the bad luck and spirits away!

One should not give odd amounts of money in the red packets.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

Don't give an odd amount of money in a red envelope.

Chinese like even numbers, with the traditional belief that good things always come in doubles.

But also avoid unlucky numbers such as 4 and 40, as 4 sounds like death in Chinese.

During the Lunar New Year, one should avoid breaking a bowl, plate or glass.

• Fact

• Superstition

Answer explanation

Breaking symbolises incompleteness and bad luck.

Breaking a bowl, plate, glass, vase, or mirror during the Spring Festival is considered to bring bad fortune, monetary loss, or family breakup.

If something is broken accidentally, people usually use red paper to wrap up the fragments, and then say "Sui sui ping’an" which means ‘all year round safe and sound’. In Mandarin, 碎 (sui, meaning 'broken') and 岁 (sui, meaning 'year') sound the same.