
Spring cleaning, red envelopes and mandarins – Chinese New Year is here, and along with it, a whole lot of superstition...
Yup, we’re a superstitious bunch here in Bali. Island-wide, we believe in mystical legends, we’re regularly warding off bad vibes with visits to spiritual healers, and we have a whole holiday dedicated to evil spirits. But when it comes to the most auspicious day of the lunar calendar, the new year, there are a whole lotta superstitions for Chinese New Year (FYI – 2025 is The Year of The Snake) we can’t help but stick to…
CHINESE NEW YEAR 2025: The Do’s and Don’ts
1. Don’t skip the spring cleaning

Out with the old! Cleaning the home and getting rid of old and unwanted furniture is said to clear the home of bad luck and welcome new and good fortune. Heads up if you need some extra feng shui furnishings in your home, we’ve got ‘em all here!
2. Stay up as late as possible on New Year’s Eve
After a huge reunion dinner, it is common to stay up late at night, chatting with the family while waiting to welcome the New Year together. Take this as your cue to indulge in a Chinese movie marathon or better yet, a karaoke night.
3. Nothing is black and white

In the past, monotonous black and white colours were avoided because they’re traditionally worn during funerals. Instead, bright colours (especially red, yellow and golden) are preferred because they symbolise luck and fortune. But in this fashion conscious era, all colours go – feel free to shop up a tropical storm in Seminyak or browse these bright and boho-chic Canggu stores.
4. You sweep, you lose!
The act of sweeping on New Year’s Day is associated with sweeping wealth away. Taking out garbage symbolises dumping out the good luck or good fortune from the house. So yup, this is one fine excuse to avoid doing housework until after New Year. Psst – want to maximise your luck even more? Avoid using sharp objects, so you won’t cut off your fortune!
5. There better be mandarin oranges…
The Chinese word for mandarin, “kam“ sounds similar to the word for gold. So, having mandarin oranges (in even number!) around the home at New Year and giving them out is said to bring wealth into your life. Giving money to a lion during a lion dance? Often the lion will be handing out mandarins, sometimes with lucky numbers written on them. Don’t make a rookie mistake and walk away without your mandarins!
6. A hairy situation

Washing your hair on the first and second day of New Year is also considered bad luck – it symbolises washing away your fortune. Not a very auspicious start to your year! The same goes for cutting your hair. These days, not many people stick to these rules (not washing your hair in tropical weather needs no explanation), and as for haircuts, we’ve dared the hairdresser before CNY and lived to tell the tale… Either way, here are Bali’s best salons and barber shops ready for when it’s considered safe for a snip or deep clean.
7. Where’s my ang bao?

It’s customary to give money in a red envelope (hong bao or ang pao) to your family, loved ones and coworkers – but only if you’re married. Also, regardless of how old the spinsters and bachelors in your family are, they are entitled to receiving red envelopes every Chinese New Year. Pays to be single! Another tip, when you’re giving a red envelope to someone, you might want to add a plump mandarin along with the envelope to sweeten the deal and amp up the luck factor.
Heads up: never, ever give money or mandarin oranges in odd numbers or else you’ll be tempting fate. Even numbers = good luck.
8. Negativity, be gone!
Don’t start the Lunar New Year on the wrong foot. Skip crying, saying anything negative or arguing to keep bad vibes at bay. Additionally, it’s better to settle any unpaid debts before the New Year to ensure a clean financial slate and good luck.
9. No reunion dinner drama

Traditionally, it’s all about the reunion dinner on the eve of Chinese New Year but nowadays, many people also have it a few days or weeks before CNY. Some people book restaurants or have buffets catered, but some prefer the cosiness of holding the dinners in their own homes with home-cooked food. Lou Hei or Lao Yu Sheng is an important starter to reunion dinners. You’ll need to recite auspicious sayings while you mix the ingredients with your chopsticks, tossing it as high as possible for good luck. Hot tip: avoid eating porridge, as it is a symbol of poverty, as well as food with unlucky connotation, like bitter- and sour-tasting dishes. Rivers of gold, folks!
10. Shopaholics beware…
While it is good luck to wear something new on New Year, it’s bad luck to buy shoes on and around Chinese New Year, as the word “shoes” sounds like “bad luck” or “evil” in Chinese.
Gong Xi Fa Cai, Honeys!