The Origin of Chinese New Year
One version of the origin talks about the conquest of a legendary beast Nian, which sounds like Mandarin for 'year'.
A long time ago, on the eve of every new year, Nian would come out from the mountains and terrorise the villagers. A wise old man then figured out it feared loud noise and the colour red. Hence, before Nian's arrival the next year, people put up red paper on their window and doors, hit gongs and pots and lit fire crackers to scare Nian away.
Chines New Year beliefs - "Fa"
The Chinese believe that from first day to the last day of the Lunar New Year (15 days!), people are forbidden to wash their hair. It is believe that if a person washes his/her hair on the first day, especially, he/she will wash away their wealth for the coming year.
Hair is called fa in Mandarin and the sound of fa also means wealth, therefore the connection between the two.
Chinese New Year Superstitions - Debts
All debts are to be paid by Chinese New Year so that one would be debt free in the coming year and foul language and unlucky words should also not be uttered for the same reason, so topics on death and ghosts are also taboo.
It is believed that the first person that one meets and the first words that one hears is tied to the fortunes for the entire year. Hence it is a lucky sign to hear songbirds or swallows.
Knives and scissors are also not allowed to be used on the first day as this is believed to "cut off" the person's good fortune.
:: Secret Lady ::
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