In Taiwan, it is very important to know what zodiac is associated with the year you were born. I was born in the year of the snake! What about you?
Some of the most important traditions are setting off firecrackers and hanging couplets. Firecrackers here are very loud! Sometimes they are also bright, colorful, and sparkly like fireworks usually are in the United States, but most of the time, they are just to make a loud noise. The setting off of firecrackers is important because it is said that the loud sounds will scare off bad luck and evil. A lot of LNY traditions relate to your luck for the new year! Couplets are red decorations with Chinese character calligraphy and sometimes drawings that are hung in and around homes. There are specific arrangements and shapes. They are almost always red. The color, phrases written on them and arrangements are all meant to bring luck and prosperity to the person or household.
Some smaller traditions regarding your luck are about the clothes you wear, the chores you do, and the hygiene you maintain. Not everyone follows all of these, but they are important to know! First, it is recommended to wear red clothes -- especially red underwear -- on New Years Day. Can you guess why? If you think it is for good luck, then you're correct! It is also said that you should not sweep or take out the trash on New Year's Day. If you do either of those things, you are taking the good luck out of your house. No one wants that! I saw so many people cleaning their apartments and houses on New Year's Eve (January 28th) in preparation. Lastly, you are not supposed to wash your hair on New Years Day. Otherwise, you might wash off the good luck.
