By no means underestimate folks’s ardour for the Chinese New Yr. From purple envelopes to household reunions, the Spring Pageant is among the most vital and vibrant celebrations in China. However past fireworks and festive dinners, there are numerous traditions—some stunning, some stunning, and a few which will sound fully unbelievable.
So this yr, I took to the streets of Guangzhou to search out out: How much do foreigners actually know about the Chinese New Yr? I challenged a number of worldwide guests with a collection of “True or False” questions about conventional customs.
The primary query: “We at all times sweep the ground on the primary day of the Chinese New Yr.” Each individuals confidently answered, “True.” However really, it is false. In lots of components of China, sweeping the ground on New Yr’s Day is averted as a result of folks consider it’d sweep away good luck and fortune. The logic is easy: begin the yr by retaining prosperity inside the house.
The subsequent query: “Purple envelopes should comprise an excellent amount of cash.” This time, they hesitated—however ultimately selected “True.” And so they had been proper. Even numbers are most well-liked as a result of Chinese tradition values concord and pairs. Odd numbers are sometimes averted, particularly the quantity 4, which sounds much like the phrase for “loss of life” in Mandarin.
One other query sparked much more curiosity: “Washing your hair on the primary day of the New Yr is taken into account unfortunate.” Surprisingly, this one is true in many areas. The pronunciation of “hair” (fa) sounds much like “wealth” (fa), so washing it on the primary day symbolically means washing away fortune.
However maybe probably the most attention-grabbing second got here with this assertion: “Should you break one thing throughout Chinese New Yr, it means unhealthy luck for the entire yr.” This time, the individuals selected “False.” And so they had been right. In Chinese, there is a phrase: “Sui Sui Ping An.” It means “peace yearly.” The phrase “sui” sounds just like the phrase for “break.” So if one thing breaks, folks rework the state of affairs right into a blessing by wordplay.
In some ways, Chinese New Yr traditions replicate a deeper mindset: turning negativity into positivity and beginning the yr with hope.
So which one has shocked you most? Remark to allow us to know.
Reporter: Li Fangwang
Video & Poster & Photograph: Li Fangwang
