The Do’s and Don’ts for an Auspicious Start to the Lunar New Year: Avoid These Common Pitfalls for a Prosperous Beginning

The ancient belief that the seventh lunar month carries a heavy negative spiritual energy has led to the practice of refraining from activities that might invite ghostly presences.

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According to folk legends, the King of Hell opens the gates of the underworld during the seventh lunar month, allowing spirits to roam the mortal realm. As a result, this month is believed to be heavy with negative energy and wandering souls. To avoid misfortune, it is advised to refrain from the following:

Burning Incense at Night

The scent of incense is believed to attract wandering souls, so burning it at night is discouraged. This is because the night is when these souls are most active and likely to attach themselves to you.

Burning Incense at Night Invites Supernatural Entities

Avoid Patting People on the Shoulder After Dark

Patting someone on the shoulder can startle them, causing a momentary lapse in mental focus. This moment of weakness makes it easier for evil spirits to possess or harass an individual. With the increased presence of hungry ghosts during the seventh month, this action becomes even more dangerous.

Stay Indoors After Dark

Unless absolutely necessary, it is best to avoid going out at night during this period. The darkness provides cover for wandering souls, and the flickering lights can induce fear and panic, leading to accidents. Additionally, the cooler temperatures at night can increase the risk of catching a cold. Therefore, staying indoors not only respects traditional beliefs but also ensures your safety.

Venturing Out at Night Invites Supernatural Encounters

Refrain from Hanging Wind Chimes

According to folk beliefs, the sound of wind chimes can attract wandering souls. Therefore, it is advised not to hang wind chimes during the seventh lunar month.

Avoid Nighttime Grooming in Front of the Mirror

Grooming in front of the mirror at night can evoke images of supernatural entities. Additionally, this act may invite wandering souls into your home. Mirrors are believed to capture negative images and energies at night, which can be frightening.

Don’t Take Nighttime Photographs

Taking photos at night during this month is believed to increase the chances of capturing supernatural entities. Scientifically, the lack of light at night can result in poor-quality images, and long exposure times can cause light leaks and noise, affecting the overall quality.

Avoid Drying Clothes Overnight

Don’t Dry Clothes Overnight

Clothes dried overnight tend to remain damp and attract insects and birds, leading to soiled garments. Additionally, with the heavy negative energy and wandering souls of the seventh month, your clothes may become a temporary residence for these entities. In reality, this superstition also serves as a reminder that during this humid and hot month, leaving clothes out overnight will likely result in them needing to be washed again due to the absorption of moisture.

Avoid Plucking Leg Hair

According to folk beliefs, “one strand of leg hair controls three demons.” Therefore, plucking leg hair during this month is believed to invite bad luck. In reality, plucking leg hair can lead to infections and exposure to cold, affecting your health.

Don’t Call Out Names at Night

Ancient beliefs suggest that evil spirits will call out the names of the living, and those who respond are at risk of soul-catching. Therefore, it is considered taboo to call out names during the seventh lunar month, especially at night.

For reference only

Frequently asked questions

Dos: Clean your house, decorate with festive decorations, and prepare a feast with traditional dishes. Spend time with family and friends, and wish them a prosperous year ahead. Donate to charity and perform acts of kindness. Don’ts: Avoid arguing, using negative words, and breaking things. Don’t clean on New Year’s Day, and don’t pay back debts on this day.

Avoid sweeping or taking out the trash on New Year’s Day as it is believed that doing so will sweep away luck and prosperity. Refrain from using sharp objects as it may cut off relationships and fortune. Do not eat porridge or wear white clothes, as these are associated with funerals and bad luck. Also, try to settle any debts before the New Year arrives.

Attend lion or dragon dances, set off firecrackers, and give red envelopes containing money to children and unmarried adults. Visit temples to pray for a blessed year, and participate in festive parades and fairs. Enjoy family gatherings and feasts, and play traditional games together.

The Lunar New Year, known as Tết in Vietnam, is the most important and celebrated holiday in the country. It marks the arrival of spring and is a time for family reunions, exchanging New Year greetings, and honoring ancestors. It is believed that how one spends the first few days of the New Year will impact their fortune for the rest of the year.