Chinese Lunar New Year 2025: Customs, Traditions, and Color Symbolism

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Chinese Lunar New Year 2025: Customs, Traditions, and Color Symbolism

What to Do and Not Do

Do:

1. Wear Red: Red is considered the luckiest color during the Lunar New Year. It symbolizes happiness, success, and good fortune. Wearing red clothes and accessories is believed to attract good luck and ward off evil spirits.
2. Gift Money in Hongbao: Giving money in red envelopes (hongbao) is a traditional way to share blessings and prosperity with family and friends. The red color of the envelope further symbolizes good fortune.
   

   

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3. Family Dinner: Celebrating the Lunar New Year with a family dinner is a key tradition. This meal often includes festive dishes and is a time for family bonding and sharing good wishes for the new year.
   

   

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4. Clean Your House: Before the new year, it is customary to thoroughly clean your house to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. This should be done before the new year starts to avoid accidentally sweeping away any good luck that comes with the new year.

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Do Not:

1. Wear Black or White: Black and white are traditionally associated with mourning and should be avoided during the Lunar New Year. Wearing these colors is considered inauspicious and can bring bad luck.
2. Use Negative Words: Avoid using negative or harsh words during the celebrations. Instead, focus on positive and auspicious language to attract good fortune.
   

   

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3. Sweeping: Do not sweep your house on the first day of the new year. This is believed to sweep away good luck. If you must clean, do it before the new year begins.
   

   

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4. Wash Clothes: Avoid washing clothes on the first day of the new year as it is believed to wash away good luck.

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Why Red is Lucky

Red holds a special significance in Chinese culture and is associated with several positive attributes:

• Happiness and Celebration: Red is the color of joy and is used extensively in celebrations, including weddings and festivals.
  

  

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• Prosperity and Good Fortune: Red is believed to attract wealth and good fortune. This is why it is the predominant color during the Lunar New Year.
• Power and Vitality: Red represents power and vitality, symbolizing the strength and energy needed for a prosperous year.
• Warding Off Evil: Red is thought to have the power to repel evil spirits and bad luck, making it an essential color in New Year traditions.

How to Avoid Wearing Black

To ensure you adhere to the traditions and avoid bad luck:

• Choose Red and Gold: Instead of black, opt for red and gold, which are considered lucky colors. These colors not only follow tradition but also align with the festive spirit of the Lunar New Year.
• Incorporate Lucky Colors: Besides red, other lucky colors include yellow, grey, brown, and gold. These colors can be incorporated into your outfits to attract good fortune.
  

  

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• Avoid Black Accessories: Even if your main outfit is not black, avoid black accessories like shoes, belts, or bags. This ensures that you are fully aligned with the auspicious customs of the new year.

By following these customs and traditions, you can participate in the Lunar New Year celebrations with the right spirit and attract good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.