Traditions vs Superstitions

Today is 6 February 2022 which is the sixth day of Chinese New Year. Traditionally we are still in the period

of celebration which usually lasts for 15 days at least especially back in the olden days. Many traditions,

customs and even rituals are observed during Chinese New Year. Foods to take, things to do and not to do,

what to say during Chinese New Year are still observed and practiced today, especially when we have

family members of the older generation around. If you are observant enough, the traditions and customs

are done with simple materials, foods, words and timings. They may seem weird for many people but it is

the symbolism and significance behind that matters most importantly. And some do have some science,

logic and Traditional Chinese Medicine health benefits to them such as what I have shared in my Chinese

New Year talks. Example combing hair and soaking feet on the first day of Chinese New Year can help

boost the Yang energy and consolidate the Yin energy, eating something sweet can help nourish the gut in

the seasonal transition during Chinese New Year. The agenda for such nitty gritty details and sometimes

even elaborate procedures? For goodness of everything in the year to come. Good luck, abundance,

happiness, love, wealth, health and all things positive. It is lovely to see how our ancestors can be such

simple people with simple wishes.

Yet there are indeed some traditions that are not logical which may not be serving in the context today and

for the best interest of people. Not just for Chinese New Year but in the general. Such as regarding men as

superior to women (重男轻女), foot binding (三寸金莲), regarding someone as a jinx in the family and many

others. When traditions and customs are practiced out of fear, they are taken to the extreme. They are

rather known as superstitions, when custom and traditional practices become condemning, and even to

the point of dangerous. It is easy to fool people in the name of traditions and cultures using fear as the

driving force. In my practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bazi, Fengshui, Yoga and other ancient

medicines, I have also seen these practices being tweaked and feed on the poor understanding and fear

of people.

Traditions are a way that we can connect with our ancestors and the cultural lineages. They are started and

retained because they remind us of our roots and hold the essence of living as a community and the

collective core desire to be happy as a human being. They are the oasis that connects humanity in the arid

of modernity.

So practice and upkeep traditions. But do it with logic, with wisdom, with proper intention and kindness.

Further reading:

@dr_xiang_jun