{"id":13158,"date":"2023-01-09T13:03:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-09T05:03:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/?p=13158"},"modified":"2023-01-20T14:31:46","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T06:31:46","slug":"isnt-it-time-runners-stopped-buying-into-chinese-new-years-superstitions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.runsociety.com\/highlight\/isnt-it-time-runners-stopped-buying-into-chinese-new-years-superstitions\/","title":{"rendered":"Dos and Don\u2019ts for Runners During Chinese New Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re fascinated by Chinese culture, myths and rituals, you may already know that the number 8 is lucky, so invoke this number throughout the Chinese New Year\u2019s holiday and you might enjoy fortune beyond measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, superstitions surrounding this lunar holiday can be irrational, turning practical runners into timid souls fearful of violating taboos. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be bold! Use our list of 8 do\u2019s and 8 don\u2019ts to set your course for the year ahead and make your own luck. That’s what savvy runners<\/a> do anyway, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dos for Runners During Chinese New Year Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Do wear light-colored shorts and tops when running and conditioning in and around Chinese New Year – especially on the first day of the holiday. Because black is an unlucky color at this time of year, you could irritate the gods who warn against wearing black – particularly if you run at night in a well-trafficked area!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Do ignore the superstition that warns, \u201cDon\u2019t trim your toenails at night or invite bad luck.\u201d Have you ever tried running while suffering toe pain? If you\u2019re nodding, you know bad luck could be the least of your worries. Conversely, it\u2019s just plain foolish to give yourself a pedicure<\/a> at night when the light is dim. Turn on the lights.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    \"Isn\u2019t
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    1. Do clean your house before New Year\u2019s Day because it\u2019s a holiday and you don\u2019t know who might drop by. On the other hand, that cleaning prohibition on New Year\u2019s Day is illogical. What if you took it to heart, tripped over something and twisted an ankle? Don\u2019t say we didn\u2019t warn you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Do pay off debts by Chinese New Year because it\u2019s a logical thing to do, particularly if your calendar of running activities is going to require you to come up with lots of registration fees. Further, that \u201cdon\u2019t lend anything to anyone\u201d on New Year\u2019s Day admonition could backfire if a running buddy has a fiscal emergency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Do refrain from cursing, hurling insults and uttering bad words, even if your string of expletives is the result of being clumsy while exercising at the gym, taking a conditioning run or dropping a weight on your foot while you strength train. Perhaps you could train yourself to say \u201cHappy New Year\u201d in Chinese instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Do give yourself permission to shed tears if you lose your race to a competitor who is not your equal, despite this superstition: if you cry on New Year\u2019s Day you won\u2019t stop for the entire year! Crying is an emotional release that protects you from pent up emotions that can cause ulcers, heart disease and cancer, so don\u2019t hold back.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Do wash your hair after returning from your run despite the taboo that warns you against hair shampooing on New Year\u2019s Day. If you undertake strenuous runs and find yourself drenched in sweat, do you seriously intend to go out to celebrate with dirty hair? Tempt bad luck. It could be no worse than being shunned.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
      \"Isn\u2019t
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      1. Do use knives to prepare your New Year\u2019s meals despite worries that you\u2019ll lose your fortune. How else will you prepare the veggies and lean meats that are the mainstay of your healthy diet? We think this New Year\u2019s taboo started when chefs drank too much plum wine and tempted fate once too often. Just be careful.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Don’ts for Runners During Chinese New Year Period<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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        1. Don\u2019t feel obligated to consult an almanac about which road to take just because this particular superstition has been around for so long. You could become the laughing stock of your local running club if you sneak a peek at an almanac to choose your route. Ditch the almanac and rely upon GPS and Google maps instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Don\u2019t listen to naysayers who insist that buying shoes during this holiday portends a rough road ahead in the coming year. You\u2019re a runner. Shoes aren\u2019t options; they\u2019re essential. How can you predict when your favourites will fall apart? Be brave and ignore this taboo or your only recourse could be going barefoot.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Don\u2019t use Chinese New Year as an excuse to binge on sugary foods! Of course you will encounter candies, biscuits, cakes and fattening treats<\/a> everywhere you go during the holiday. But that doesn\u2019t mean you should continue to abuse sugar once the celebration ends. Why worry about being punished by spirits when your loo scale is happy to haunt you?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"Isn\u2019t
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          1. Don\u2019t be a prankster and scare gym friends just because your Grandma insists you make good on the tradition of lighting fireworks everywhere you go so you\u2019re protected from injury and evil in the year ahead. You\u2019re a grownup now, so confine your adolescent propensity for firecracker pranks to the great outdoors, please.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Don\u2019t refrain from putting out garbage just because it\u2019s New Year\u2019s Day. Sure, taboos prohibit tossing trash on this day, but if you cooked a healthy fresh fish dish that\u2019s so smelly, huge numbers of cats are lining up outside your window, you must dump your trash or your punishment could pale in comparison to the odour.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Don\u2019t skip a shower or you could lose friends in the name of this silly superstition. Gyms have showers for reasons – it\u2019s offensive to use this holiday as an excuse for not bathing after a strenuous workout just because you fear offending the gods. Plagued by guilt? Compromise: don\u2019t exercise on New Year\u2019s Day. Problem solved.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \"Isn\u2019t
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            1. Don\u2019t throw out your favourite crockery before New Year\u2019s Day just because this old wives\u2019 tale says you must. Chips and dents in your dishes can\u2019t bring bad luck and by ditching blemished cups, plates and bowls, how will you eat? It\u2019s not like those old wives are going to buy you a new set of dishes to replace them, right?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Don\u2019t get rid of your beloved house plants because they look sad and you\u2019ve been told that if you don\u2019t switch them out for healthy plants bad luck will hound you throughout the year. That\u2019s just silly. If you can bring your ailing plants back to life, what could be luckier?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              This ancient culture has had centuries to adopt superstitions and we\u2019ve barely touched the surface. What Chinese New Year\u2019s taboo have you been unable to ignore no matter how much you try? We promise not to judge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              What To Do For Chinese New Year?<\/h2>\n\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

              What to do for good luck on Chinese New Year?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t
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              As part of the celebration of Chinese New Year, people follow certain rituals believed to bring them good luck. This includes wearing red, opening windows and doors to welcome in positive energies and switching on lights at night to expel bad fortune. Eating lucky food such as sweets is a way of expressing the wish for a sweet year ahead.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

              Can we celebrate Chinese New Year after funeral?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t
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              Before the 1st<\/sup> year anniversary of a loved one’s passing, forgo festivities and celebrations, such as Chinese New Year functions or festive gatherings. Instead, honor their memory by making simple offerings before their memorial tablet. Visiting relatives’ homes during Chinese New Year is also not recommended at this time.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

              How to celebrate Chinese New Year<\/h2>\t\t\t\t
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              Chinese New Year is an important traditional holiday that marks the start of the lunar new year. Celebrations usually involve firecrackers, fireworks, and wearing red clothes and decorations to symbolize luck, prosperity, joy and good health. For a fun way to take part in the festivities, you can join the CNY Year of the Rabbit Challenge 2023<\/a> and earn a commemorative T-shirt!<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n