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To New Immigrants: Avoid Doing 3 Big Taboos on Chinese New Year’s Eve

New Residents get to know Chinese New Year. Image taken from Pixabay Gallery
New Residents get to know Chinese New Year. Image taken from Pixabay Gallery
Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network】Editor/ Erinne (紀佩言)

[Taiwan Immigrants Global News Network] There are many taboos in the Chinese New Year, which is also the day when families gather. The day before Chinese New Year’s Eve, there are 3 taboos to avoid. New residents please pay attention. Folklore expert Xie Yuan-Jin said that on that day we are prohibited from being noisy, pounding garlic, etc. so that in the new year everything will go smoothly. In addition, on that day, you also have to cut your hair, to make yourself look good and also means welcoming the new year.

Xie Yuan-Jin, a folklorist, said that many people pray for the new year to go well, but we should also beware of the taboos which is to not be noisy, not to pound garlic, and not to kill. If you accidently make that mistake, the new year may not be smooth, and may even result in poverty and chaos.

First: Do not be noisy. Xie Yuan-Jin said that it should be quiet on New Year’s Eve. Go to bed as early as possible to ensure that everything goes smoothly in the new year. If there are children at home, you should pay more attention to this point, otherwise your new year will not be smooth sailing.

Secondly: Do not pound garlic. Some regions believe that pounding garlic can bring poverty because it means “pounding yourself to poverty”, then it is better to avoid it. Moreover, the day before New Year’s Eve is the birthday of the God of Wind, means it is not allowed to pound rice, if “rice” is pounded it will cause a lot of wind disasters in the upcoming year.

Third: Do not kill. Every family will prepare a delicious dinner when the family gathers during the New Year, but on New Year’s Eve try not to kill and eat meat, following the tradition of giving all beings a good year.

Xie Yuan-Jin also continued that if you are afraid that New Year’s Eve will be very busy, it is okay to pray in advance, as long as it is done at 12 p.m. Before 12 p.m. is for praying to Gods, and after 12 p.m. is for praying to ancestors. In addition, Xie Yuan-Jin said that having haircut on the day before New Year’s Eve is a good choice to welcome the new year.

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