Chinese New Year is filled with colorful traditions, family gatherings, and symbolic rituals — but it’s also guided by long-standing superstitions believed to influence luck for the entire year ahead. These practices come from centuries of cultural belief, where small actions during the New Year period are thought to set the tone for prosperity, harmony, and success.
Here are five of the most well-known Chinese New Year superstitions and the meanings behind them.
🧹 1. Don’t Sweep or Take Out the Trash on New Year’s Day
One of the most widely observed beliefs is avoiding sweeping or throwing out trash on the first day of the new year. It’s said that doing so may “sweep away” good luck and fortune that has just arrived.
Many families clean their homes thoroughly before New Year’s Day so they can welcome good luck without accidentally removing it.
Common practice:
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Deep clean before the holiday
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Avoid sweeping on Day 1
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Delay major cleaning tasks
✂️ 2. Avoid Haircuts and Sharp Objects
Cutting hair or using scissors and knives on New Year’s Day is often avoided because it symbolically represents cutting off luck or good fortune.
Some households minimize sewing, cutting, or heavy kitchen prep on the first day and prepare food ahead of time instead.
Often avoided:
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Haircuts
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Sewing
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Excessive chopping or cutting
💬 3. Don’t Use Negative Words or Argue
Words are believed to carry power at the start of the year. Speaking negatively, arguing, or using unlucky words related to death, illness, or loss is considered bad luck.
The goal is to begin the year with peaceful speech and positive energy.
People try to:
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Avoid arguments
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Use encouraging language
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Keep conversations uplifting
🧺 4. Don’t Wash Hair on New Year’s Day
Washing your hair on the first day of the new year is traditionally discouraged because the word for “hair” sounds similar to the word for prosperity in Chinese. Washing it is believed to symbolically wash away wealth.
Because of this, many people wash their hair the day before instead.
Tradition suggests:
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Wash hair before New Year’s Day
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Avoid washing on Day 1
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Resume normal routine afterward
🥢 5. Eat Lucky Foods for Good Fortune
Food symbolism plays a major role in Chinese New Year superstition. Certain dishes are eaten because they are believed to attract prosperity, longevity, and happiness.
Choosing what to eat is seen as choosing the kind of year you want ahead.
Examples include:
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Dumplings for wealth
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Fish for abundance
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Long noodles for long life
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Sweet rice cake for progress
🧧 A Final Note
Chinese New Year superstitions are less about fear and more about intention. They encourage mindfulness, positivity, and preparation — helping people begin the year with hope and good energy. Whether followed strictly or symbolically, these traditions remain a meaningful part of the celebration for many families.
