As it’s the first day of the Year of the Horse, please let me say “Happy New Year! May the new year bring new opportunities and achievements to you all!”
There are many Chinese New Year customs, and they vary widely by region.
I’d like to share some of them from my hometown, which is in central China.
There’s a saying from the old generation: “How you spend the first day of the new year sets the tone for the rest of the year.” That’s why on the first day of the Chinese New Year, people in my hometown try to:
1. Be kind and avoid arguments.
2. Not sweep the floor (or you might “sweep away” good luck).
3. Wear new clothes for a fresh start.
4. Say auspicious words to invite good fortune.
5. Avoid breaking things (but if something breaks, say “suì suì píng’ān” — “peace every year” — to turn bad luck into good).
6. Visit elders and relatives to show respect.
As far as I know, everyone across the country believes this saying, but the specific approaches will vary.
Everything you do on this day is believed to influence your luck for the whole year! That’s why the Spring Festival is a true festival involving the participation of almost the entire population in China.