大年初三风俗和禁忌（The Customs and Taboos of the Third Day of Lunar New Year）

The Customs and Taboos of the Third Day of Lunar New Year

On the third day of Lunar New Year, there are numerous customs and taboos that are practiced to ensure a prosperous and auspicious year ahead. As a day that is believed to be a time of tension and potential arguments, people take extra care to elicit good fortune while avoiding bad luck. Here are some of the most prevalent customs and taboos of the day.

The Customs of the Third Day of Lunar New Year

One notable custom of the day is to visit one’s relatives and close friends. Usually, the second day of the Lunar New Year is devoted to fulfilling social obligations to one’s spouse’s family, while the third day is spent with one's own family. Many families use this day to host guests and serve sumptuous meals, often consisting of auspicious dishes like fish, dumplings, and rice cakes. Another common custom is to visit the temple and pray for good luck, wealth, and health for the upcoming year. Some people also participate in dragon and lion dances and other cultural performances to drive away evil spirits and negativity.

The Taboos of the Third Day of Lunar New Year

While there are many customs to observe on the third day of Lunar New Year, there are also many taboos that must be avoided. One of the most significant taboos is to avoid taking out the garbage or sweeping the house. It is believed that sweeping on this day will sweep away all the good luck that has been accumulated from the previous two days. It's also considered taboo to break things or argue with others as this can bring negative energy into one's life. Other forbidden activities include washing clothes, cutting hair, visiting the hospital, and using knives or other sharp objects, as these actions are believed to bring bad luck and misfortune.

The Auspicious Practices of the Third Day of Lunar New Year

To ensure a prosperous and auspicious year ahead, there are several practices that are considered lucky on the third day of Lunar New Year. One of them is to give red envelopes filled with money to children, young adults, and unmarried friends and relatives. The amounts of money given in the red envelopes should be an even number, as odd numbers are associated with funerals and other somber occasions. Another customary practice is to eat dumplings, which are believed to symbolize wealth and prosperity due to their shape, which resembles Chinese silver ingots. Finally, it is recommended to wear red clothes to invite good luck and ward off evil spirits.

Overall, the third day of Lunar New Year is a day of both opportunities and challenges. By observing the customs and avoiding the taboos, one can enhance the positive energy around them and welcome a fruitful and joyful year ahead.