Hi Earthlings! The 2025 Chinese New Year is just a few weeks away. In case you didn't know it's not just a day; it's a 16-day marathon filled with celebration, family atmosphere, and all-around good vibes. It starts on New Year's Eve (January 28, 2025) and ends on Lantern Festival (February 12, 2025). If you're in China, you'll have an 8-day public holiday from January 28th to February 4th – it's prime time to enjoy all the fun!
Key dates to bookmark for Chinese New Year 2025
Here's a cheat sheet for the most exciting days of the celebration:
- January 23: Little Year (小年Xiǎonián)
It's time to deep clean your house and prepare delicious meals. Get rid of old things and welcome good luck! - January 28: Chinese New Year's Eve (New Year's Eve Chúxì)
The ultimate family reunion! Visiting graves, eating big meals, sharing red envelopes, staying up late, and watching firecrackers light up the night sky. - January 29: Chinese New Year's Day (first day of the Lunar New Year)
It’s all about visiting family, exchanging gifts and spreading joy. Put on your best red outfit and get ready for great vibes. - February 12: Lantern Festival (元xiao Festival Yuánxiāojié)
The finale! Picture colorful lanterns, dancing dragons and a sky filled with light. It's amazing, trust me.
Things you absolutely shouldn’t do during the Chinese New Year🚫
Okay, then Chinese New Year is not only about what you do, but also what you don’t do. Superstition is rife as people believe the start of the new year sets the tone for the days to come. So here is a guide to avoid any bad Juju:
Not sweeping or taking out the trash
New Year's Day cleaning? This is a big no-no. You will actually “sweep away” or “throw away” your good fortune.
Don’t eat porridge for breakfast
Porridge = atmosphere of poverty. Skip it and go find something fancy. Also, don’t eat meat for breakfast – this is a sign of respect for God.
No hair washing or haircuts allowed
Wash your hair = wash your money. Haircut? Bad news for your uncle. Just embrace a messy bun life for a day.
No laundry service provided
The second day of the Lunar New Year is a day to worship the water god. Doing laundry is basically asking for bad luck.
no needlework
Put away your sewing kit, girl. Doing needlework (even sewing buttons) can lead to a “rough year.”
No scissors or knives
Scissors = argument. Knife = bad vibes. Let someone else handle the kitchen, or jump right into takeout mode.
Red envelopes must not contain odd or unlucky numbers
Even number = good luck. But avoid using “4” and “40” because “四” sounds like “death” in Chinese. oops.
avoid certain gifts
No clocks (running out of time), scissors (cutting ties) or pears (bad vibes). If something is broken, wrap it in red paper and say, “Peace every year.” Crisis averted.
No hospital or medicine
Don't go to the doctor unless it's an emergency. Going to the hospital or taking medicine on New Year's Day is believed to bring illness throughout the year.
No borrowing or borrowing money is allowed
Pay off your debt before New Year's Eve. Borrowing or borrowing money during the festival is said to bring bad luck.
No damaged or white/black clothing
Clothes torn? Hard pass. White and black clothes? Too funeral. Stick with red – it’s the ultimate lucky color.
No killing (even bugs)
Avoid anything bloody between January 28 and February 12.
keep the good vibes going
Spring Festival This is a time to celebrate, reconnect and manifest good fortune. So embrace the traditions, avoid the taboos, and get ready for a year filled with joy, good luck, and endless blessings.
Hey, no pressure if you make a superstitious mistake or two – just double the bonus!
Next I will tell you how to welcome the God of Wealth, don’t forget to collect it!
