What do asians do on chinese new years?

Question

what are some customs.

believe it or not some actually clean their whole house, saying that they want a fresh and clean start this year. Also my chinese friend, well get this.. he said he is told not to wash his hair tonight so that, something doesn't wash away his riches... such superstition, such madness!

Answer 1

I am Vietnamese, and this is my typical Lunar New Year celebration:

- A week or so before the New Year, my family and I clean like madmen.. either to sweep away the bad spirits or to keep our house presentable to guests. Also, my mom spends a good amount of money on flowers, fresh fruits, traditional New Year candy, etc. to decorate our house with to prepare for guests.

- However during the first day of New Year it is bad luck to clean the house as it will accidentally sweep away our good fortune.

- At midnight, we light firecrackers to welcome in the New Year and send out the old year.

- As we go back inside the house, we are very selective about who gets to set foot first inside the house, as the first person who sets foot first in the house of the New Year will have good fortune. It is proper etiquette to have the elders be the first.

- Windows and doors are also usually open to send out the old year and welcome in the New Year.

- In the morning, my family and I dress in our best clothes; red is a lucky color to wear, while white is unlucky. We will go see a Lunar New Year Parade, and then visit our relatives.

- When we visit our relatives, the children will wish the elders fortune, health, strength, wealth, etc. for the New Year. The elders will give children and the unmarried red envelopes filled with money (quite possbily the best part of this celebration!).

- If children cry during the New Year, it is believed that they will cry often for the rest of the year. Therefore children are most often tolerated and not punished by their parents on the New Year.

- Once you have received a significant amount of red envelopes, let the gambling begin! :D

I do not believe that these superstitions are madness. They keep our culture unique, rich, and interesting, the way myths and legends do.

For more info: http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/taboos.html

Answer 2

Chinese New Year Tradition 1 - Worship God and Ancestors

Only by the appearance of modern science would people remove their fears towards the mysterious power of nature. In ancient China, the world outlook of most people are superstitious so that they would always have the concept that God is the first then ancestors. They can not explain the natural issues so as to attribute to the power of God. For instance, one should worship the kitchen god for its asylum all year round.

Ancestors are the second most important factor for one’s success, which has been widely accepted by ancient Chinese people. Thus they were as devout as disciples to their ancestors. Chinese New Year is regarded as the most splendid festival to see the old year out and welcome the new one. Even in big cities, people still burn paper money used in afterlife in the streets.

Answer 3

Hate to tell you this, on Chinese new year we usually did not know until few days later some one asking us what is the sign for this year.

As for "superstition", it may seem silly and retarded, but it is soooo much better than the ridiculous organized religions, bible this, Koran that
those junks really lot worse than "superstition" don't you think ?

Answer 4

Yes, you are so right! I am always amazed when I come across the superstitious nature of the Chinese. One of them wouldn't sell me an inexpensive item in his grocery store, saying I was the first customer of the day, and if he made that sale to me, he would not make enough money that day, since that was an omen.

Answer 5

Well, as for Koreans, we wake up early in the morning, we clean the whole house/organize things the previous day (to get ready for New Year's Day), we eat special soup (rice cake soup, if you would), literally bow down to adults (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.) wishing them good health, a happy new year, etc.

then they would give us money...


It's pretty cool...




I'm also excited for Persian New Year's (Norouz) which is celebrated in the beginning of March.

Answer 6

i celebrate Chinese New Year! i live in Indonesia currently, and i know it sounds kinda lame, but i love to watch lion dances held around here in my country.. ^^ what is Lao and Thai New Year?

Answer 7

well, I'm Asian but I'm not Chinese. I'm Filipino.

My aunt who is married to Chinese man,invites us in their place every Chinese new year, we will watch the dragon dance my favorite of all.

and she will give us their food (i forgot what it's called) and that's it.
.
and celebrate it just like any new year

Answer 8

Nothing....but in chinese new years, I bet Most Chinese celebrate their new year....cheers...lol

Answer 9

such superstition--such madness---such fun!