{"id":11165,"date":"2026-02-01T14:23:34","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T14:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/?p=11165"},"modified":"2026-02-11T08:47:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T08:47:02","slug":"chinese-new-year-dos-and-donts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/chinese-new-year-dos-and-donts\/","title":{"rendered":"Lunar New Year traditions in Hong Kong: what to do and what to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Lunar New Year in Hong Kong is shaped as much by tradition as celebration. Alongside reunions and festivities, long-held customs are observed to invite prosperity while certain taboos are carefully avoided. For those new to the season, or simply in need of a refresher, here\u2019s a practical guide to the rituals and symbolism that continue to define the holiday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to do during Lunar New Year<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Prepare lai see<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lai see refers to the red envelopes traditionally given by married individuals to single relatives, colleagues and service staff during the festive period. These packets typically contain crisp banknotes, symbolising good fortune and prosperity. Avoid amounts containing the number four, which is associated with misfortune due to its phonetic link to the word for \u2018death\u2019 in Chinese culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: Lai see etiquette in Hong Kong<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Chinese
Source: Needpix<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Clean your home before the new year<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the days leading up to Lunar New Year, homes are thoroughly cleaned to sweep away bad luck and make room for good fortune. Cleaning once the new year begins is generally avoided, as it is believed to remove incoming prosperity. Some households go further by refreshing doorways or windows to symbolically welcome auspicious energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Visit a temple<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Temple visits remain an important tradition for many residents during the festive period. Lighting incense or candles and making offerings are common practices intended to invite protection, harmony and good fortune for the year ahead. For first-time visitors, temple attendants are usually happy to guide newcomers through the rituals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: 11 must-visit temples in Hong Kong<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Wong
Source: Portland Seminary<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Buy new clothes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Wearing new clothing at the start of the year symbolises renewal and a fresh beginning. Shopping ahead of the holiday \u2014 sometimes down to new undergarments \u2014 is considered a positive way to welcome prosperity and set the tone for the months ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Display mandarins or kumquat trees<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mandarin oranges and kumquat trees are widely associated with wealth and happiness, making them popular decorative gifts during Lunar New Year. The Cantonese name for kumquat echoes the words for \u2018luck\u2019 and \u2018gold\u2019, reinforcing their symbolism. Homes often display fruit-laden trees or incorporate mandarins into festive d\u00e9cor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"Pears
Source: Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Things to avoid during Lunar New Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Giving certain gifts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some items are traditionally avoided due to symbolic meanings. Clocks can suggest the passage of life, pears are associated with separation, and sharp objects such as scissors imply cutting ties. Choosing gifts aligned with prosperity or togetherness is generally preferred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Doctor<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Washing your hair on the first day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hair washing is often avoided on the first day of the new year. The pronunciation of the word for hair resembles the phrase associated with wealth, and washing it is believed to symbolically wash fortune away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Visiting hospitals<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unless necessary, hospital visits are sometimes postponed during the holiday period, as they are thought to bring ill health into the household for the year ahead. This belief reflects traditional superstition rather than modern practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Wearing black or white<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Black and white are historically linked with mourning and are therefore avoided in festive attire. Red, gold and brighter tones are typically favoured to reflect joy and prosperity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eating meat on the first day<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some observe a vegetarian diet on the first day of Lunar New Year, believing it encourages longevity and spiritual clarity. Restaurants across Hong Kong often offer plant-based menus during this time for those wishing to follow the custom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read more: 7 best vegetarian Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong<\/a><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Follow these simple etiquette rules to bring good luck into the new year<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50007,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1707],"tags":[573],"class_list":["post-11165","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-about-town","tag-chinese-new-year"],"yoast_head":"\nLunar New Year traditions in Hong Kong: what to do and what to avoid - Hong Kong Living<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Understand Lunar New Year traditions in Hong Kong with this guide to customs, symbolism and taboos that shape the festive season.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/hongkongliving.com\/chinese-new-year-dos-and-donts\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lunar New Year traditions in Hong Kong: what to do and what to avoid - 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