Find out why Vera Koo doesn’t like white flowers, won’t sweep on Chinese New Year and more. Michelle Cerino talked to Vera about Chinese Superstitions. Read this post, originally published at Women’s Outdoor News, to learn more.
In February, we learned of Vera Koo’s memories of Chinese New Year. While chatting with her on that topic, aside from wearing red, eating certain foods and cleaning the house, she also sprinkled in some other Chinese superstitions that I found quite interesting. Following are some of my favorites for Chinese New Year, along with a few others she shared. Note: Vera’s quotes are in italics below.
Chinese New Year Superstitions
On Chinese New Year, Vera said there are many restrictions. For instance, you cannot wash your hair. The reason is that in Chinese, the words for hair and prosperity (发) are homophones. So if you wash your hair, you are washing away prosperity. It’s also important to settle all debts owed to friends or business. Otherwise, you are inviting financial hardship for the next 12 months. And make sure not to sweep or take out the trash on the first day. You don’t want to risk sweeping away your good fortune.
More Chinese Superstitions
Breaking Glass
I remember one time when my mom was cleaning for Chinese New Year, and she broke a crystal vase. Right away, she had to mumble certain words to make sure that everything was OK.
When a Chinese person accidentally breaks a bowl, plate, glass or mirror during Chinese New Year, they say, “岁岁平安.” This phrase, “Suì suì píng’ān” is used to neutralize the bad luck.
Gifting a Clock
Did you know you should never give a Chinese person (especially an older one) a watch or a clock? The Mandarin phrase 送钟 for “giving a clock” is a homophone for the Mandarin phrase 送终 for “attending a funeral” or “sending someone off to their end.” So basically, you’re wishing death upon the recipient.
The Color White
Now that we are getting older, Carlos is going to be 83, and I’m turning 80 next year. We stay away from planting white flowers. For a better future, better health and more happiness, we tend to plant red-colored flowers.
When I was at home, in my college years, I made all my clothes. I liked the color white because I thought I looked best in it. I made suits and had a lot of party dresses, all in white. I remember one night my dad saw me making a pink suit. He said, “That’s good. You’re making more clothes with color.” He didn’t want me wearing so much white because, for Chinese people, white symbolizes a funeral.
Now Carlos is saying I cannot give white flowers to our friends anymore. He said since everybody’s getting older, they won’t want a gift with white flowers. So now I have changed my entire yard. I pay attention to the fact that everything needs to be colorful.
In traditional Chinese culture, white represents death and mourning. Therefore, white flowers and clothing are common at funerals. Giving someone who is still living white flowers may be interpreted as wishing death upon them or that you think they will die soon.
I find it so interesting learning about superstitions from other cultures. It makes me want to do a bit of research into my heritage.
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