To Wash or Not to Wash: Hair Care Beliefs for the Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is a time for celebrating with family, feasting delicious food, and observing various traditions and superstitions.

 One of these traditions involves hair; many believe certain hair-related practices can bring good luck or prosperity while others may bring bad luck or misfortune. 

In this article, we will explore some of the most common hair superstitions people observe during the Chinese New Year, including the belief that cutting or washing hair can bring bad luck and the idea that wearing a new hair accessory can bring good fortune. 

Whether you believe in these superstitions or not, they are an exciting part of the Chinese New Year celebrations and offer a glimpse into the rich cultural traditions of East Asia. So, read on to learn more about these hair superstitions and how to incorporate them into your celebrations.

washing hair on Lunar New Year's Day

Washing Your Hair on New Year’s Day Will Wash Away Good Luck

Have you ever heard the saying “new year, new you”? Well, this phrase seems taken quite literally – at least regarding your hair. 

Many believe washing your hair on Chinese New Year’s Day can wash away your good luck for the year ahead.

This superstition is rooted in the belief that the Chinese New Year is a time of renewal and that washing your hair on this day will symbolically rid you of any luck or fortune you may have accumulated in the past year. But why the emphasis on hair? 

Some believe that hair is closely connected to one’s fortune and luck, making preserving it especially important on New Year’s Day. So, if you want to start the year off on the right foot (or the right head), you should skip the shampoo on CNY’s Day.

Snipping Away Good Fortune? The Superstition of Cutting Hair During the Chinese New Year

Hoping for a lucky new year? You might want to think twice before snipping away at those locks. According to a common superstition, cutting your hair during the Chinese New Year can bring bad luck for the year ahead.

 But why the belief that a simple haircut could bring such misfortune? Some say it’s because hair is thought to be closely connected to one’s fortune and luck, and cutting it symbolically severs this connection. As a result, many people avoid getting a haircut during the Chinese New Year to preserve their good fortune.

But it’s not just haircuts that are off-limits during this time. Some people take this superstition to the extreme, avoiding “cutting their hair at all” during the Chinese New Year as a symbol of continuity and a connection to the past.

Combing Away Bad Luck: The Superstition of Brushing Your Hair on New Year’s Day

It’s a Chinese new year, and it’s time for a fresh start – including a fresh head of hair! At least, that’s what many people in China and other parts of East Asia believe. According to a common superstition, combing your hair on New Year’s Day is thought to bring good luck and wash away any bad luck or negative energy from the past year. 

So you might want to consider giving your locks a good comb on New Year’s Day. And if you’re feeling extra lucky? Some people even go so far as to comb their hair multiple times on this day to maximize their good fortune for the year ahead. 

Combing Your Hair on New Year's Day

A Hair-Raising Tradition: The Superstition of Leaving a Strand of Hair Uncut During the Chinese New Year

Looking for a bit more luck in the Year of the Dragon 2024? You might want to consider leaving a lock of hair uncut. This is generally trusted to bring good luck and provide a link to the past. Whether you’re a superstitious haircutter or just looking for a low-maintenance way to bring in the new year, it’s clear that this simple act holds a special place in Chinese New Year traditions. So, go ahead and give it a try – who knows, it might just bring you the luck you’ve been waiting for.

Hair Flair for Good Fortune: The Superstition of Wearing a New Hair Accessory During the Chinese New Year

Looking to spruce up your hair game for the new year? You might want to consider adding a new hair accessory to your look. According to another common superstition in Asia, doing so brings good fortune and riches.  

 Some people even go so far as to purchase a special hair accessory for the Chinese New Year. Kung Hei Fat Choy !