With Chinese New Year just around the corner, SURE Singapore has kindly compiled a list of Top 10 Traditional Do’s & Don’ts In Singapore to guide young Singaporeans and visitors towards a lucky and prosperous new lunar year. Most of these superstitions and taboos came with our forefathers when they ventured out from China to eke out a living in Singapore. The infographic may not comprehensive hence we would love to hear your share of superstitions and traditions through our comments section below. Here’s wishing everyone an early Happy Chinese New Year!

1. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – No Cleaning Please! 

Before the New Year arrives, you should have spring-cleaned your home from top to bottom. After that, house cleaning (or any sort of housework) is frowned upon during the New Year holiday, because the Chinese believe that this is tantamount to sweeping away any good luck.

2. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Watch Your Tongue

Remind the children not to quarrel during Chinese New Year and to avoid mentioning topics like ghosts and death in their conversations. Other words that are a strict no-no are the number four (which sounds like the word for “death” in Mandarin and dialects) and any kind of vulgar language.

3. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Don’t Buy Books

No buying of books during the festival. Books sound like the Chinese word for “lose”. Reading, however, is permitted.

4. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Hold The Tears

Do not make your kids cry during Chinese New Year’s Eve or Day 1. This will come as good news for your children as they will most likely be spared punishments.

5. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Hold That Wash

Do not wash your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year as good luck will be washed away!

6. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Give Shoes A Miss

Shoe shopping is restricted on the first day of the Chinese New Year because ‘shoes’ are a homonym for ‘rough’ in Cantonese.

7. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Not In The Bedroom Please

It is unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom. That is why everyone, even the sick should be dressed and seated in the living room.

8. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Cut It Out

During the Chinese New Year period, do not to use sharp objects like knives or scissors. These objects are associated with bad luck, as their sharp points are believed to cut away your good luck and fortune!

9. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Red Is The Colour

Everyone, including children and babies, should be dressed in brand new and bright colours clothes to celebrate the new year. Red is a favourite colour of choice, because it symbolizes luck and prosperity. Above all, don’t wear white or black clothing, since these are the traditional colours of mourning.

10. Chinese New Year Traditional Do’s & Don’ts – Make Luck Count

The first person you greet will determine your luck for the new lunar year. It is also a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds, red colour birds or swallows.

You may also like to check out my posts on other interesting infographics here.