As the New Year begins, whether Thai or Chinese, everyone chooses to do good rather than bad or forbidden things to receive auspicious blessings, in line with the belief that "If we do good, we will receive good throughout the year."
The 2026 Chinese New Year taboos, passed down from generation to generation, are practices not to be done on this day. These superstitions, especially concerning luck, have been long upheld. Accidentally doing them may unknowingly sweep away fortune and good events.horoscopeThairath Online presents 14 taboos to avoid on Chinese New Year.
1. Do not give red envelopes with odd numbers.
The Chinese place great importance on numerology, believing good things usually come in pairs, especially the number 8, which is thought to bring prosperity.
2. Do not wash or cut your hair.
Cutting or washing hair is seen as removing stability. It is better to wash it a day or two before the New Year.
3. Do not eat rice porridge.
Rice porridge is food for the poor, so the Chinese believe eating it on New Year's Day will cause hardship and poverty throughout the year.
4. Avoid eating meat for breakfast.
Besides avoiding rice porridge, the Chinese also avoid meat for breakfast, preferring vegetarian or vegan food, as the gods who descend on Chinese New Year's Day are believed to be vegetarian.
5. Do not sew or wash clothes.
Sewing on Chinese New Year's Day is believed to bring hardship all year. Washing clothes is considered disrespectful to the water deity whose birthday falls on the New Year. Water symbolizes wealth, so washing and discarding water is like throwing away fortune and prosperity.
6. Do not clean the house.
Cleaning the house on this day is believed to sweep away good fortune from the home.
7. Do not use or break fragile items.
Breaking things is seen as a bad omen signaling family discord.
8. Do not use sharp objects.
Using sharp tools is believed to cut away good luck.
9. Do not wear white or black clothing.
The Chinese believe wearing white or black on New Year's Day is an ill omen. Instead, people wear red or bright colors for luck and prosperity.
10. Do not cry.
It is believed that crying on New Year's Day will cause crying and sadness throughout the year.
11. Do not lend money to anyone.
It is said that if you lend money, you will lend forever. Those who borrow will remain in debt all year.
12. Do not use bad language.
Speaking harsh words, swearing, or lying on New Year's Day is believed to bring trouble upon you.
13. Do not enter or allow others into someone else’s bedroom.
Entering another's bedroom or letting others enter yours on New Year's Day is believed to bring bad luck all year. If you enter someone else's room, they think you bring misfortune to them as well.
14. Do not wake others up.
On Chinese New Year's Day, waking others or being woken is forbidden. It is believed this will cause nagging and annoyance throughout the year.
However, these 14 taboos come from Chinese traditions and personal beliefs. Many still follow them because doing good on New Year's Day is thought to bring happiness and good fortune throughout the year.