1. The daughters who have married are forbidden to come back to their parents’ homes:

On the first day if the married daughter comes back to her parents’ home, it just means that she will eat so much that the family will become poor. Therefore, the daughter can only come back to her parents’ home on the second or third day. But the meaning behind it is that the married daughter has already become the daughter-in-law of another family. On the first day there must be many people coming to the family to say New Year’s greetings, and she should help serve tea on site. Therefore, she cannot go back to her parents’ home.

2. No porridge, meat or medicine in the breakfast:

In ancient China, only the poor families ate porridge. Therefore, on the first day the breakfast should be rice, which means that the family will be rich all year round. The morning of the first day is called Grand Meeting of Gods, which means that all kinds of gods will come to say New Year’s greetings during this time (according to traditional Chinese culture, gods prefer vegetarian food to meat, for they don’t kill). Therefore, don’t eat meat but vegetarian. Apart from those in very serious diseases who have to take medicines, common people had better not take any medicine.

3. It is forbidden to awaken somebody by calling his or her name:

On the morning of the first day don’t awaken anybody by calling his or her name. But if do this, it means that this person will be urged to work during the whole year.

4. It is forbidden to say New Year’s greetings to those still in sleep:

Don’t say New Year’s greetings to any person still in sleep and say them when he or get gets up. If do this, it means this person will have to spend his or her whole year sick in bed.

5. No medicine:

This taboo suggests that you will take medicine all year round and none of your disease will be cured if you take medicine on the first day. So, even those having serious diseases shall not take medicine this day.

6. Don’t even touch knives or scissors:

This means if you use knives or scissors this day, you cannot avoid quarrelling with others.

7. Don’t begin needlework.

This means that if you do the needlework this day, you will break the dragon’s strings (a new born baby’s eyes are as small as a pair of needle eyes).