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5 CNY Taboos You Must Not Do (2022)

Chinese New Year is often recognised as the Chinese community’s largest and most important cultural celebration. As a result, various customs and traditions have developed around the holiday, with many ancient restrictions in force. There are additional taboos that have been observed in addition to these norms, with superstitious individuals taking great care not to break them. Some of these taboos are well-known, while others are less well-known and practised in only a few households today. In the run-up to Chinese New Year, here’s a list of five CNY taboos to keep in mind that you might or might not know about.

1- Avoid taking medicine

Avoid taking medicines on CNY

This may not be the most relevant taboo during these times, but there is a belief that taking medicines or going to the hospital in the days leading up to Chinese New Year is unwise. Why is this the case? According to the taboo, if someone takes medicine on the first day of the new year, they will be sick for the rest of the year. People with ailments used to smash their medicine pots after the arrival of the New Year was signaled by bell-ringing. They felt that by doing so, they would be able to rid themselves of their ailments in the coming year. Even Though at Breakout we have Materia Medica which is related to Chinese medicine there won’t be any medicine consumed here so you won’t be breaking any taboos.

2- Avoid borrowing or lending money

Borrow money is a major CNY taboos

Borrowing and lending money during the Lunar New Year is frowned upon, so remember that no money should be lent on New Year’s Day, and all obligations should be paid by New Year’s Eve. If you owe someone money, wait until after the New Year to pursue the situation. Anyone who disobeys this taboo is said to be cursed for the remainder of the year. Well you won’t be lending anything in Perpetual, instead you will be stealing.. Hmm we think there isn’t any taboo on stealing.. Is there?

3- Avoid breaking things

Avoid breaking things | CNY Taboos

Breaking is a symbol of insufficiency and bad luck. During the Spring Festival, breaking a bowl, plate, glass, vase, or mirror is thought to bring bad luck, financial loss, or family split so be sure to adhere to Breakout rules and not break anything in the rooms. You don’t want to receive a year worth of bad luck now, right? When anything is inadvertently shattered, people customarily wrap the shards in red paper and exclaim “Sui sui ping’an,” which means “all year safe and sound.” In Mandarin, 碎 (sui, meaning ‘broken’) and 岁 (sui, meaning ‘year’) sound the same.

4- Saying bad words and cursing

men cursing during CNY

Swearing, uttering phrases with negative connotations  regarding death, poverty, or ghosts and badmouthing are all things to avoid on Chinese New Year since they will bring you bad luck for the rest of the year. For example, the term “si” for “4” is also considered a negative word because it sounds similar to the word “death” in Chinese so please do not curse when you are frustrated trying to escape our rooms unless you want to be best friends with bad luck.

5- Do not clean or sweep

sweeping floor is major cny taboo

A day of cleaning is held before the Lunar Festival. That’s how you get rid of bad luck. It becomes a taboo during the real celebration, However. The act of sweeping insinuates that you are sweeping away good fortune, cleaning or tossing out garbage may seem similar too. If you notice Breakout to be a bit messy in the first few days of CNY then just understand that we don’t want to break any taboos but if you must, start at the far edge of the room and work your way inwards. Garbage should be bagged and thrown away after the fifth day.

We hope you took away something from this local knowledge about things not to do on Chinese New Year 2022. Even if you are not Chinese descent and don’t have to observe these Chinese traditions, it’s good to know what color to wear or how to carry yourself. This is how you can blend in with Chinese locals when joining Chinese New Year festivities! Also playing Breakout, does not break anything or break any CNY taboo.

Posted on 25 Jan 2022