Chinese New Year is now approaching. Chinese Cambodians begins decorating their homes to celebrate new year. To make a fresh start with good fortune, Cambodians-Chinese locals adhere to some Chinese New Year superstitions and taboos. Here’s a list of things not to do on Chinese New Year.

• Avoid taking medicine: It is a taboo for Chinese people that taking medicine on the first day of the lunar year means that someone will be sick for all year round.
• Do not wash clothes: Chinese people should not wash clothes on the first and second day, because these two days are are celebrated as the birthday of Shuishen (水神, the Water God). Therefore, washing clothes on New Year’s Day is like insulting God.
• Do not kill the animal: Blood is considered an ill omen that brings bad luck to you.
• Do not wash hair: Washing your hair is like “wash one’s fortune away” at the beginning of the New Year.
• Do not sweep or take out garbage: If you sweep the house on the first day of the new year, it is like sweeping wealth away. Taking out garbage symbolizes dumping out the good luck or good fortune from the house.
• Do not use sharp objects: The use of knives or scissors should be avoided because if an accident occurs, it is considered dangerous and causes loss of wealth.
• Keep children from crying: It is believed that a crying baby can bring bad luck to the family. Parents need to make sure that children do not get upset and cry on New Year’s Day.
• Do not wear damaged clothes: Do not wear clothes that are damaged. If kids especially wear such clothes in the first lunar month, it is said to bring bad luck.

References:

https://thmeythmey.com/m/?page=detail&id=36146

https://vayofm.com/news/detail/107470-510667355.html

https://www.poraman.com/content/social/1253

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-taboos.htm