PETALING JAYA: Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and cultural preservation, but not all traditions have withstood the test of time.
According to college student Sandra Liew, superstitions such as not washing one’s hair and wearing only new clothes on the first day of Chinese New Year remain important.
“I believe that by doing so, my life throughout the year will be smoother.
“Additionally, I am starting the year as a new person with new intentions,” said the 18-year-old interior design student.
However, Liew noted that many Chinese New Year traditions are fading as younger generations are not taught about them.
“The current and future generations are not taught by their parents about these traditions, hence they are slowly disappearing,” said Liew.
Kerry Wong Sze Kay, 26, said the family reunion dinner is a tradition she takes pride in.
“It is meaningful because it brings everyone together to celebrate the past year and usher in the new one with blessings,” said the project engineer from Kuala Lumpur.
Wong said she would bake pineapple tarts every year with her family as this symbolises prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead.
“I follow the superstition of not cleaning the house during the first few days of Chinese New Year, believing it would sweep away good luck,” she added.
However, she no longer visits temples during the festive season.
“Modern celebrations focus more on family gatherings and feasts than religious rituals,” she said.
No black or white outfits: Shopping for Chinese New Year clothes.
Similarly, Loh Jing Huan, 21, said she cleans the house before Chinese New Year and avoids mopping the floor or throwing rubbish during the first three days of the celebration.
“These traditions are fun to follow and maintain,” said the fashion design student.
Despite that, Loh said her family no longer observes the custom of married daughters returning to their parents’ homes only after the first day of Chinese New Year.
“My mum doesn’t care about that anymore. If she misses her parents, she just goes back to visit,” the university student added.
Assistant manager Wong Shet Nee, 26, avoids black and white clothing during Chinese New Year as these colours symbolise mourning and misfortune.
However, she said she no longer follows the tradition of not washing her hair during Chinese New Year.
“I feel uncomfortable and dirty if I don’t wash my hair,” she said.
Wong said her family no longer practises the tradition of kowtowing when receiving ang pow from elders during Chinese New Year.
“My sisters and I now just bow to elders and say some Chinese New Year blessings before we receive the ang pow from our parents,” she said.
Housewife Lim Kim Ngor, 76, said they used to offer food and prayers to the Kitchen God on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month as part of the Kitchen God’s farewell ritual before he returns to the Jade Emperor to report on the family’s deeds.
“I will prepare sweet foods such as sticky rice cakes called nian gao and tang yuan, a type of sweet glutinous rice balls to seal his mouth.
“We hope the sweets will get him to say only the good things about us in front of the Jade Emperor,” she said.
Lim said they still practise this ritual to ensure blessings for the home in the coming year.
“On the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, I will prepare fresh flowers, fruits, incense, clean towels and a bowl of clean water to welcome the Kitchen God back to our kitchen,” she added.
