For expats, celebrating Chinese New Year with Chinese friends can be an enriching experience, and the act of gift-giving is a common practice during the festival. However, it's important to be mindful of certain items that are considered unlucky or inappropriate. Here are ten things you should never give as gifts during this festive occasion, along with the stories and reasons behind these taboos.
Clocks or watches
In Chinese, the pronunciation for the word for "clock" (钟, zhōng) sounds the same as the word for "end" (终, zhōng), leading to the belief that gifting a clock brings bad luck.
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Additionally, the phrase "giving a clock" (送钟, sòng zhōng) is phonetically identical to the phrase "attending a funeral ritual" (送终, sòng zhōng), making clocks and watches highly inappropriate gifts. Furthermore, these items symbolize the passage of time, which can be an unsettling reminder for seniors. Therefore, gifting a clock or watch is considered the biggest no-no in Chinese culture.
Anything related to the number '4'
The pronunciation of the number "four" (四, sì) in Chinese sounds the same as the word for "death" (死, sǐ). Consequently, any gifts that display the number — such as sets or quantities containing four or multiples of four (14, 24, 34, etc.) — are deemed unlucky.
Many buildings and hotels even skip the fourth floor or avoid room numbers containing the number for this reason.
Shoes
Shoes are considered an inappropriate gift for Chinese New Year because the word for "shoes" (鞋, xié) sounds identical to the word for "evil" (邪, xié), which can imply misfortune.
Moreover, since shoes are associated with walking and moving away, giving shoes can imply that you wish the recipient to leave or experience bad luck — an inappropriate sentiment during a time that celebrates joy and new beginnings.
Pears
While fruit is generally a good gift, pears are avoided because the Chinese word for "pear" (梨, lí) sounds exactly the same as the word for "separation" (离, lí).
This linguistic connection makes gifting pears an omen of parting or broken relationships, which goes against the spirit of unity celebrated during the new year festivities.
Umbrellas
Gifting an umbrella is considered unlucky, as the word for "umbrella" (伞, sǎn) sounds similar to the word for "separation" (散, sàn), implying a split or break.
This association leads many to believe that giving an umbrella symbolizes severing relationships or friendships, which is particularly unfavorable during a time meant for family unity.
White or black items
Gifts in white or black are associated with mourning and funerals, making them inappropriate for new year gift-giving.
Traditionally, these colors symbolize grief and death, while the new year is a time for celebration and renewal. Giving gifts in these colors is seen as inviting misfortune. Instead, opt for red, which is believed to be a festive and lucky color.
Sharp objects
Gifting sharp objects like knives or scissors symbolizes the severing of relationships.
This belief comes from the notion that giving such items may cut the bond between the giver and recipient, potentially inviting bad luck for the future. As a result, it's best to avoid gifting sharp objects during the new year.
Health-related gifts
Presenting health-related gifts, especially items like cough medicine or any items indicating illness, is seen as inviting bad fortune.
Such gifts imply that the recipient may need to address health issues or difficulties in the new year, essentially wishing them ill health instead of prosperity and happiness.
Hats
In Chinese culture, when an older person dies, their children wear a mourning hat called a “孝帽” (xiào mào). Therefore, giving a hat as a gift during Chinese New Year is considered taboo.
In Handan, a city in northern China's Hebei Province, it is customary to throw old hats onto the streets on New Year's Eve to symbolically discard grief and troubles. Furthermore, green hats are particularly frowned upon. The phrase “to wear a green hat” (戴绿帽子, dài lǜ mào zi) implies infidelity, making it a highly offensive gift for a man.
Gifts of used items
Giving used items can be interpreted as wishing bad luck or hardship, as they symbolize lack or secondhand experience.
The new year is a celebration of renewal and fresh starts. Therefore, gifting used items contradicts the themes of rebirth and abundance.
By avoiding these items and focusing on thoughtful gifts that embody luck, health, and prosperity, you can ensure that your offerings are well received and celebrated during Chinese New Year.
