Festivals are some of the happiest times of the year, and many people look forward to them with excitement. In Hong Kong and across much of East Asia, one of the biggest celebrations is now underway. It is the Lunar New Year, often called Chinese New Year.
This holiday is the longest break of the year for many people in Hong Kong and China. The celebration lasts for 15 days and is filled with lively events and traditions. It is a wonderful time for travellers who want to experience local culture and see long-standing customs up close.
The countdown to the Chinese New Year begins two weeks prior to the Chinese New Year Day and it is the most loved festival of the region beyond a doubt. We all know how much a positive vibe is created by any such celebrated event complimented by the decorations and street shopping markets, dishes and desserts and sharing time with friends and family. You should not miss the incredible opportunity to visit Hong Kongon the eve of the Lunar New Year, as you can avail of the Ctrip promo code to get amazing deals and offers on your travel booking this year. There is no doubt that you would be in for an unmemorable retreat on this majestic place. But apart from those traditions and customs that festivals are usually associated with, there are a few superstitious beliefs too which people link with the festivals. So let us take a look at some of the interesting superstitions that people of Hong Kong practice during the Chinese New Year.
Some traditions may seem unusual at first. Many festivals place strong focus on keeping the home neat, and Chinese New Year is the same. Families usually clean their houses carefully before the celebration begins, as a tidy space is seen as a good start for the year.
What is interesting is what happens after that. Once the New Year begins, people avoid cleaning for a few days. It is believed that sweeping or washing during this time could remove good luck along with dust. Because of this, many families finish all cleaning early and put away their cleaning tools until the special days are over.
Cantonese language which is spoken by the local people of Hong Kong also gives rise to a couple of superstitions which are ardently followed by the population. This widely practised superstition restricts people from visiting or purchasing any new book between the two-week-long festive event. This is because the word used for Book in Cantonese also has a homonym that would translate into the word ‘Loser’. Similarly, Shoes also have a homonym that is used to denote ‘roughness’ or ‘patchiness’, which meant that people would also avoid buying any new pair of shoes. The dominance of this superstition is evident as both bookstores and shoe outlets remain closed for the entire span of 14 days until the festival gets over. People also avoid the use of any sharp object in between the two weeks as sharp objects are considered to be a bad sign.
Lunar New Year is seen as a new beginning, a time to leave behind stress and past troubles. This idea of starting fresh is common in many cultures around the world. In Cantonese tradition, people are strongly encouraged to clear any unfinished responsibilities before the new year begins.Many take this seriously and try to repay money they owe or settle pending dues. Some even use their savings to clear debts so they can step into the new year with a clean slate and peace of mind.
The liabilities are not just financial but beyond that too which every person has towards his/her family. The family system has a very significant value in the social fabric of Hong Kong. The Chinese New Year is one of those times that families have traditionally used to unify and assemble together for a family dinner. This concept is ardently followed and holds a different level of importance that the people of other cultures can’t fathom about. In case, the family get-together could be arranged, it is considered a sign of very bad news coming for the family very soon.
Superstitions are beliefs that are not based on science, yet many people continue to follow them out of respect for family traditions. These customs guide how they act during special times of the year. Along with signs seen as unlucky, there are also symbols believed to bring good fortune.
During the festive period, homes are decorated with bright and bold colours. These shades are linked to hope and good luck for the coming year. Many families also keep their windows open in the days leading up to New Year’s Eve. Fresh air flowing into the house is believed to carry positive energy. For this reason, people avoid sweeping away dust that enters through the windows, as it is thought to bring good fortune to the household.
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