Chinese New Year is a celebration filled with traditions and symbolism, many of which are associated with luck and prosperity.
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One of the most well-known beliefs about Chinese New Year is that you should not wash your hair on the first day of the lunar year – in this case, on the 29th – as it could “wash away” the fortune and good energy accumulated for the new cycle.
This superstition is based on the pronunciation of the word for “hair” (发, *fà*) in Mandarin, which sounds similar to the word for “prosperity” (*发财, fācái*). Washing your hair on this day could be interpreted as “washing away prosperity,” which, according to tradition, might take away the luck that has just arrived with the new year.
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Additionally, Chinese culture emphasizes preparation before the turn of the year, with people thoroughly cleaning their homes, clothes, and even their bodies in the days leading up to the celebration. However, on the first day of the lunar year, the focus shifts to preserving and absorbing good energy, avoiding actions that symbolize loss, such as sweeping the floor or washing hair.
If you enjoy following traditions to ensure a prosperous year, you might consider skipping hair washing on the 29th and doing it beforehand instead. But of course, it all depends on your perspective and how you wish to start the new cycle!
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
