Here we've rounded up ten things you should not give as a Chinese New Year gift.
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🔪Sharp Objects — Cut Off Relationship
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Giving somebody a sharp object insinuates that you want to cut off your relationship with them.
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🎲The Number 4 — Sounds Like Death
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In Chinese, the number four (四 sì /srr/) sounds similar to the word for death (死 sǐ). Therefore, anything with the number 4 is considered unlucky.
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👠Shoes — Evil
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Shoes are a bad idea for a present for Chinese New Year because the word for 'shoes' (鞋 xié /syeah/) sounds exactly like a word for bad luck or 'evil' (邪 xié).
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👋Handkerchiefs — Saying Goodbye Forever
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People generally give handkerchiefs at the end of a funeral, and are a symbol of saying goodbye forever.
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⏰Clocks — Bad Luck
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In Chinese, saying 'giving a clock' (送钟 sòng zhōng /song jong/) sounds exactly like the Chinese words for 'attending a funeral ritual' (送终 sòng zhōng) and thus it is bad luck to gift clocks or watches.
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🍑Pears — Parting
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Giving fruit is a good thing, but pears are taboo. This is because the Chinese word for 'pears' (梨 lí /lee/) sounds the same as the word for leaving or 'parting' (离 lí).
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💐Cut Flowers — Presents for Funerals
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Cut flowers are generally presents for funerals, so do not give them on Chinese New Year!
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🌂Umbrellas — Break Up
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Umbrellas are a bad idea to give as gifts, because the Chinese word for 'umbrella' (伞 sǎn /san/) sound like the word for 'breaking up' (散 sàn). Giving somebody an umbrella may insinuate that you feel your relationship with them has fallen apart.
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🖤🤍Black or White Objects — Often Used in Funerals
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Black and White are important colors in funerals, so avoid presents that are largely black or largely white.
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10. Mirrors — Attract Ghosts
Mirrors are a bad idea for gifts throughout much of Asia, as they are believed to attract malicious ghosts. On top of that, they are easily broken and breaking things is a bad omen.
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Is there anything else you can add?
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Credit: chinahighlights.com
