Chinese New Year is swathed in traditions and age old superstitions. Though China boasts of its high tech developments, the most popular and celebrated festival of China owes its origin to ancient customs. Chinese New Year Superstitions connote the ancient Chinese belief systems, which again refers to how people believed and behaved in those days. Chinese New Year is the time of the year when folks leave their work and head for their home to have a gala time with near and dear ones. But in the midst of celebrations and merriment lies a series of colorful and vivid Chinese New Year Superstitions.

It is believed that on the Chinese New Year's eve, Chinese New Year God ascends to heaven to pay their respects and also report on the household chores to the Jade Emperor, the supreme Taoist deity. A week before the New Year, the kitchen god, which watches the family, is offered Chinese New Year cake so that he submits a favorable report about the family in the heaven.

The kitchen god is burnt so that he ascends to heaven and meets the supreme deity. Sometimes honey is also offered to make sure he cannot open his mouth. Sometimes folks make a paper chariot is and burn it with the kitchen god. For almost a week the god's shelf stays empty, and then the head of the family makes a new god from rice paper and paint it with vivid colors.

With its animated movement and brightly colored costumes, dragon and lion dancing stands out as one of the biggest events of the Chinese New Year Festival. A few of these superstitions and rituals have a spiritual aspect to them, and all of Taiwan's temples are usually very busy during this time of year as large numbers of people crowd into them with elevated incense sticks to pray for good luck. Indeed, some of the major temples close their main gates before midnight on Chinese New Year's Eve as noisy and expectant crowds gather outside.

Chinese New Year Superstitions :

• For those most superstitious, before leaving the house to call on others, the Almanac should be consulted to find the best time to leave the home and the direction which is most auspicious to head out.
• The first person one meets and the first words heard are significant as to what the fortunes would be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.
• It is considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom so that is why everyone, even the sick, should get dressed and sit in the living room.
• Do not use knives or scissors on New Year's Day as this may cut off fortune.
• While many Chinese people today may not believe in these do's and don'ts, these traditions and customs are still practiced.