By Tharmini Kenas tharmini@thestar.com.my

Malaysians have plenty of exciting stories stemming from the multitude of interesting cultures and traditions.

With Chinese New Year just around the corner, I am reminded of one particular tradition that fascinated me when I was in primary school. I was told by a dear friend that it was not common to exchange books with each other during the festival since the word “book” – when translated to Chinese – is pronounced as shu, which also means “to lose”.

So, the act of giving or receiving books equates to bad luck during the festive season. Although such traditions have been practised for ages, the younger generation or the modern Chinese community have become less and less aware of them. With that, I am going to share a few do’s and dont’s for Chinese New Year because it is always good to go back to your roots.

1.DO clean your home

It is a common practice to ensure that your home is spick and span on new year’s eve when the clock strikes midnight. Sweep, mop, scrub, vacuum and dust until the house is squeaky clean. Apart from hygiene, it is believed that the activity clears the home of all the bad luck and ushers in good luck. It is also crucial to clear all debts and bills so that you can start the new year without any financial burden or setbacks.

2. DO display oranges and tangerines

For many of us, the Mandarin orange is a juicy and yummy citrus fruit and there is no greater joy than peeling the skin off before biting into the orange on a sunny day. For the Chinese, oranges and tangerines signify abundant happiness. What better way to start the new year than to present your friends and loved ones with an abundance of joy?

3. DO wear red

Chinese New Year means painting the town red with red lanterns and decorations. It only makes sense to wear red at this time to get into the spirit of the festivity. More importantly, it is believed that the colour symbolises happiness and good luck. So, dear millennials, save your cool and trendy colours for other occasions. Get on the bandwagon and wear red with the rest of the family members for the new year.

4. DON’T sweep the floor

You do not want to sweep away all the good luck that is coming your way in the new year. So, it is best to refrain from sweeping. While some may rejoice and cheer, others could find it unsettling to not sweep the house on such an important occasion. More so when family and friends are visiting your home and you want your home to be at its best. But according to tradition, it is not advisable to do so. So, no sweeping!

5.DON’T wash or cut your hair

If you want to style your hair for Chinese New Year, do it before the big occasion. This is because washing your hair will wash away good luck and cutting your hair will cut away the fortune.

6. DON’T borrow money

To avoid getting into debt for the rest of the year, you should not borrow money during Chinese New Year. It is also advisable to clear all your debts well before the new year and start with a clean slate without any preceding financial difficulties.

These are just a handful of do’s and dont’s associated with Chinese New Year. It is time to relearn all the traditions since our cultures and traditions play a significant role in shaping our future. This new year, take the time to ask for stories on traditions from your parents or grandparents and appreciate your roots.

Gong Xi Fa Chai!!