TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Families across Taiwan are preparing for the traditional Lunar New Year big cleanup ahead of the holiday on Feb. 17, a ritual symbolizing the sweeping away of the past year's misfortunes and welcoming a fresh start. The practice involves removing dust and cobwebs to clear out bad luck and dirt accumulated over the year. Folklorists recommend optimal cleanup dates of Feb. 10, 11, 13, and 15, while advising against major cleaning activities on the afternoon of Feb. 16, Lunar New Year's Eve.
The cleanup's significance extends beyond physical tidiness, representing a spiritual cleansing that allows individuals to shed the fatigue of the past year and embrace new fortunes. Several taboos accompany the tradition: large-scale cleaning is discouraged after Lunar New Year's Eve, and washing clothes on the first and second days is considered inauspicious. Moving deity statues and bed positions is forbidden during the first and second days to avoid disrupting good fortune.
Traditionally, trash should not be taken out and cleaning should not be conducted before the fifth day of the new year. When cleaning is necessary, sweeping should proceed from the outside in, with garbage kept inside until the sixth or seventh day. Households should change old spring couplets, traditional red banners with auspicious phrases displayed on doorways, before noon on Lunar New Year's Eve, symbolizing the removal of the old and the welcoming of the new.
Replenishing rice jars and refrigerators symbolizes abundance and prosperity for the coming year, while replacing damaged dishes and old clothes promotes better fortune and hygiene. For maximum efficiency, experts advise starting with organizing, then dusting and finally wet wiping, proceeding from the inside out and top to bottom. This ritual aims to rejuvenate the home environment, preparing families to welcome the new year with optimism and hope. ◼