Year of the water tiger: 10 Chinese traditions we can all learn from

As Chinese New Year celebrations get into full swing, we delve into some of the fascinating customs practiced by the ancient civilisation.

Lunar New Year is a huge event on the calendar in China, and increasingly, in Western cities too.

It’s a time to honour deities and ancestors, feast with family members and prepare for an auspicious year ahead.

This year celebrates the third of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals, the tiger, which represents courage, power, confidence and leadership in Chinese mythology and culture and believed to be the animal that expels evil.

As celebrations for the Year of the Water Tiger get under way, we take a look at some popular Chinese customs – some practised during new year, and others all-year round – many of which you may consider incorporating in your own life.

No meat on new Year’s

Traditional Chinese medicine practitioner Eli Huang says eating meat is considered a no-no on New Year’s Day, and often for the next two days of celebrations too.

That’s because people are keen to start the new year in a healthy way, and don’t believe in killing anything during this peaceful time, she says.

Eat what you grow

Historically, many Chinese people have grown their own produce, with a farm-to-table style of eating.

“The traditional Chinese basically cook their foods from what they plant,” Eli says.

Eli believes this is a practice we all should take on board, rather than being tempted by convenient and processed foods.

Dining together

Big banquets – cooked with love – are a huge part of Chinese culture, says Eli.

She says coming together to dine is important, especially during Chinese New Year, the most important meal of the year.

“It’s not good for our health or our soul or our vitality and emotional wellbeing to be eating alone.

“We really have to focus on that unity, on that family connection, because that’s what uplifts our spirit.”

Drinking warm water

Nicole Webb, an Australian who wrote about her experiences living in Xi’an in her book China Blonde, says drinking warm – or even piping hot – water is the way to go in China.

This is based on a belief that it helps balance the yin and yang, keeping illnesses at bay.

“When I first got there, I thought there’s no way, it just tastes horrible,” Nicole says.

“But surprisingly by the time I left, the thought of cold water from the fridge seemed really weird.”

Start the year with a clean slate

Clearing out the cobwebs and negative energy before Chinese New Year is said to help bring good luck and harmony, says Nicole.

“Then they say whatever you do, don’t start sweeping the house once Chinese New Year is underway because then you’ll sweep all the good luck out the front door.”

Rituals to promote prosperity

To encourage good luck, it’s customary to put away sharp knives in the first few days of the year, and wear red – including underwear.

And forget about a haircut once new year celebrations are underway.

Long hair is seen as a sign of wealth, says Nicole.

“So if you take scissors to it, you’re effectively cutting your money loose.”

Cover off the five elements in your diet

Everything in Chinese medicine is based around the five elements of nature: wood, fire, earth, metal and water, says Eli.

“Every food or every herb is actually based on the five elemental flavours as well.”

The nature of the food is determined by the impact it has on a person’s body after consumption – and it is believed to eat too much of one type of food creates an imbalance.

So to keep your body in harmony, ensure you’re eating a variety of foods and flavours.

Want a long life? Eat noodles

During Chinese New Year in particular, long noodles symbolise a long life, says Eli.

“There’s always a noodle dish – because it’s really long, it symbolises longevity, long life, long health, long happiness.”

Banish green hats

Meanwhile, Nicole discovered during her years in China that wearing a green hat – or even any mention of one – is a major faux pas.

As the story goes, a married woman, whose husband was a travelling businessman, started having an affair with her neighbour, the village tailor.

She asked her lover to make a green hat for her husband, which he’d wear each time he left – a handy signal to the tailor that she was now a free agent.

Never share a pear

Another taboo? Sharing a juicy pear with a friend.

In Chinese, the phrase for ‘sharing a pear’ is ‘fen li’, which also happens to mean ‘separate’,” says Nicole.

“The superstitious Chinese person will interpret this as saying you don’t want to see him or her again.

“So unless you’re trying to give someone a big hint, keep your pear to yourself!”

Written by Larissa Ham.

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