Seollal starts tomorrow with Lunar New Year being on Friday. So I thought I’d post a public service warning, of sorts, about not bathing on New Year’s day.
Put that soap down!
You could be washing your luck away…at least according to a Korean superstition that says you shouldn’t bathe or shower on New Year’s day.
And here I thought it’d be good to start a new year clean and fresh!
But my question is, what if you have bad luck? Does that mean you could wash the bad luck away or would you just be washing away the last remnants of good luck you might have?🤔
Origins
I couldn’t find any information on the origins of this superstition! And it’s not just a Korean superstition. Apparently many cultures, including the Chinese, hold this superstition. Many take it a step further and say that you shouldn’t sweep your floors or throw out any garbage New Year’s day because that would also be like throwing out your luck.
And I know it may seem far fetched, but is it all that more unbelievable compared to rubbing a rabbit’s foot, knocking on wood three times, or any number of wacky things sports fans do to ensure that their team wins?
To Shower, or Not to Shower
But I think that if you get sweaty and stink on New Year’s day, you should, by all means, take a shower! I cannot fathom how being offensively smelly all day could conserve your luck. If anything, it should decrease your luck! No one wants to celebrate New Year’s day with someone stinky!
However, I suppose if everyone observes this superstition, you should be good to go on not bathing because everyone would be stinky as well. It’s like when you eat garlic your breath is smelly but it’s okay if the other person you’re with also eats garlic.
How Can This Work for You
On the other hand, this is a great excuse not to exercise for the day!😆‘I’ll see you tomorrow treadmill because I’m not allowed to shower today. I could lose all my luck!’
And honestly, if you’re one to believe in luck, then it’s much easier to skip a day’s shower than sifting through a patch of clovers for a four-leafed one.
Are there any superstitions you hold to be true for New Year’s day (Lunar or otherwise)? And if you have any idea of where this superstition came from, please share in the comments!
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FAQs
Put that soap down! You could be washing your luck away…at least according to a Korean superstition that says you shouldn't bathe or shower on New Year's day. And here I thought it'd be good to start a new year clean and fresh!
Why are you not supposed to shower on New Year's day? ›
This means washing or cutting it off is seen as washing your fortune away and dramatically reduces chances of prosperity in the year ahead. Actually, LNY fundamentalists will tell you taking a shower is also off-limits on the first day for the same reason.
Why is it not good to wash on New Year's day? ›
Don't wash those clothes
This is an odd one. According to folklore, if you wash clothes on New Year's Day, you'll be “washing for the dead” or washing a loved one away -- meaning someone in your household will die in the coming year. Get your laundry washed, dried, folded and put away by New Year's Eve.
Why are you not allowed to clean on New Year's day during Chinese New Year? ›
Sweeping and cleaning should only take place before the Lunar New Year. Sweeping during the New Year could sweep out the good luck that may have collected in your household.
Is it bad luck to wash your hair on nye or new years day? ›
But did you know that in preparation for the new lunar year, there are a number of superstitions that the Chinese follow? It is believed that if you wash your hair on New Year's day, you'd also be washing away all your luck. It's somewhat similar to if you cut your hair, you'd be cutting your life shorter!
What am I not supposed to do on New Year's day? ›
Or take out the trash, or wash your clothes, or sweep your house... as the superstition goes, if you do, you might accidentally wash good luck and loved ones out of your life. Other beliefs state that whatever you do on New Year's is what you'll be doing the rest of the year.
What should you avoid on New Year's day? ›
Avoid breaking things on the first day. Don't cry on the first day of the year. At midnight, open all doors to let the old year escape. Make loud noises at midnight to scare away evil spirits.
Is it bad to cry on new year's day? ›
Be careful not to shed any tears come January 1. Crying at the start of the new year has been said to set the tone for a year full of sadness and sorrow.
Why should one not wash clothes on Thursday? ›
Activities such as applying soap on the body, applying oil on the hair, washing hair, clothing, etc. on Thursday are believed to diminish wealth and good fortune. In addition, it also displeases goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Vishnu.
What days can you not do washing? ›
Good Friday
It doesn't land on the same day each year, but — as the name suggests — it's always a Friday. You might want to give it a miss if you're thinking about doing some laundry on this holy day. That's because some Catholics believe it's bad luck to wash your clothes on Good Friday.
Many folks choose not to eat meat on New Year's Day as it is considered taboo to kill animals on the first day of the year. Congee should also be avoided as it was deemed as a common meal for those less fortunate in ancient times. Lastly, avoid taking any medicine on New Year's Day as it is also thought to be bad luck.
Is it bad luck to go to bed early on New Year's Eve? ›
New Year's Eve is an exceptionally long night for many cultures; if you must sleep, ensure it's right after midnight at the earliest. Sleeping through midnight could trap you in the previous year or taint your luck for the year to come.
Can you wash dishes on New Year's day? ›
People believe that if you do clean on January 1, you end up sweeping away all of the good luck that's stored away in your home for that coming year, so you wait until January 2 to complete your household chores like laundry, dishes and tidying up instead.
Is it bad to shower on New Year's day? ›
Put that soap down! You could be washing your luck away…at least according to a Korean superstition that says you shouldn't bathe or shower on New Year's day.
Why is it bad luck to wash on New Years? ›
Another superstition, this is American folklore: don't wash clothes on New Year's Day. If you clean clothes on Jan. 1, you may wash away a member of your family in the coming year — meaning someone will die. Not to mention sending a year of good fortune down the drain.
Can I clean my house on New Year's day? ›
Don't Clean the House on New Year's Day - You will wash away any good luck coming your way.
What are you supposed to do on New Year's day? ›
Around the world, people celebrate with a variety of traditions, like watching the Times Square ball drop, making New Year's resolutions, and even preparing lucky foods for the new year. There are countless ways to mark the occasion, many of which can be enjoyed right from your own living room!
Should you clean on New Year's Eve? ›
Some frown upon cleaning up and cleaning clothes during New Year's Eve. It is thought that you could accidentally wash away or wipe away good luck headed your way.
Can I shower on Chinese New Year? ›
It's seen as synonymous with your good luck being swept away. Don't shower on Chinese New Year's Day. Stay away from sharp objects like scissors, needles, knives and others. Some taboos are also associated with gift-giving habits.
