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Is It Advisable to Abstain from Intimacy with Your Spouse on New Year’s Day?

In many cultures, it is considered taboo for couples to be intimate on the first day of the new year. This belief raises the question: Should couples refrain from physical intimacy on the first day of the year? We will delve into this intriguing topic and provide insightful answers to satisfy your curiosity.

Administrator

22 July, 2024

Intimacy in marriage is important to keep the spark alive and foster a happy family life. However, a common belief in Asian culture suggests abstaining from intercourse on the first day of the lunar month or the Lunar New Year. But why is this, and what other taboos should couples observe during this festive period? Let’s explore these questions in the article below.

1. Why Do Couples Need to Abstain from Intimacy at the Beginning of the Year?

Our ancestors advised that intercourse is one of the major taboos on the first day of the lunar year. This belief can be traced back to a passage in the book Tố Nữ Kinh, a renowned ancient Chinese text on marital relations, dating back 2,000 years. The book states: “Intercourse is forbidden on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, as well as the last day. Offending this taboo will bring harm to the children and deplete the vitality and lifespan of the parents.”

Intimacy in marriage is believed to bring bad luck to the family during the Lunar New Year.

Firstly, intimacy at the start of the year is considered to bring bad luck to the family. The first day of the lunar month is when ancestors are invited to reunite with their descendants. Therefore, intercourse is seen as a sign of disrespect to elders and the deceased, inviting their anger and a lack of blessings for the coming year. Additionally, the first day of the year is meant to be a “clean” day. So, if one wishes to engage in intimate activities, it is best to avoid the first day to maintain cleanliness and avoid impurities for the rest of the year.

Secondly, from a traditional medical perspective, intercourse at the beginning of the year can be detrimental to one’s health. The first day of the lunar month is a time when the “yin and yang are out of balance.” This imbalance creates an unfavorable environment for intimate activities. Offending this taboo is believed to cause difficulties for men in achieving erections later in life, and any children conceived on this day are thought to be less healthy and destined for misfortune. Abstaining from intercourse during this period allows for rest and rejuvenation, promoting better health and energy to tackle important tasks in the new year.

Related: Avoid bringing trouble and sadness to your family in the new year.

Why do couples need to abstain from intimacy at the beginning of the year?

While some may consider these beliefs outdated and unscientific, TS.BS Le Vuong Van Le, former Director of the Hanoi Hospital of Andrology and Infertility, offers a different perspective: “In the past, abstinence was observed not only on the first and fifteenth days of the month but also by kings and generals before significant events. They also bathed, fasted, and ate vegetarian meals for three days prior. Following the Vietnamese belief of ‘respecting the taboo brings good fortune,’ it is wise to avoid practices that our ancestors have warned against.”

Related: What else should we avoid for good luck in the new year?

2. Taboos to Observe on the First Day of the Year According to Folk Beliefs

In summary, the first day of the new year is meant to be a clean and pure day, including in marital relations. Therefore, couples are strongly advised to abstain from intimacy on this day. In addition, our elders have passed down other taboos to be observed on the first day, ensuring a year of good fortune, prosperity, and wealth.

On the first day of the new year, everything should be clean and pure, including marital relations.

Firstly, maintain a clean and serene home environment. Take out the trash, and keep your belongings organized. This includes your bedroom and personal spaces.

Keep your living space clean and serene.

Secondly, do not give away fire, no matter how small. Fire represents good luck, and giving it away means giving away your fortune. This could lead to business losses and family disputes.

Taboos to observe on the first day of the year.

Thirdly, do not give away water. Water symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Giving away water is like giving away your fortune.

Avoid sweeping or vacuuming on the first day of the year.

Fourthly, avoid sweeping or vacuuming. Doing so will sweep away your wealth, leading to poverty. Disposing of the trash collected during cleaning will cause the God of Wealth to leave your home.

Related:

Avoid eating dog meat, mackerel, duck, balut, squid, and snails.

Fifthly, when it comes to food, avoid dog meat, mackerel, duck, balut, squid, and snails, as these are believed to bring bad luck.

Taboos to observe in the new year.

Additionally, the elders advise against breaking dishes or arguing on this day. Avoid borrowing or lending money, haggling over prices, and wearing black. Keep the day peaceful and positive.

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We hope this article has provided some insight into the major taboos for the first day of the new year. While intimacy in marriage is essential for a happy relationship, it’s important to be mindful of these beliefs to start your year on a positive note.

Frequently asked questions

While some may believe that abstaining from intimacy on New Year’s Day can bring good luck for the coming year, there is no solid evidence to support this claim. Intimacy between spouses is a normal and healthy part of a marital relationship and should not be avoided unless both partners agree to do so for personal or religious reasons.

In some Asian cultures, it is believed that what one does on the first day of the year will impact the rest of the year. Some people may choose to abstain from intimacy on New Year’s Day because they believe it will bring them good luck and prosperity. However, these are just superstitions and there is no scientific basis to support these claims.

Forcing oneself to abstain from intimacy with one’s spouse on New Year’s Day just for the sake of a superstition can potentially cause tension and dissatisfaction in the relationship. It is important for couples to communicate their feelings and preferences openly and find a compromise that works for both partners.

Couples can maintain a healthy intimate relationship by communicating openly about their desires, beliefs, and preferences. They can also try to find alternative ways to be intimate that respect their cultural traditions and personal boundaries. Ultimately, the decision to be intimate or not should be based on mutual respect, understanding, and consent between both partners.