As the Lunar New Year approaches, families across East Asia and beyond prepare not only festive meals and red decorations but also follow a series of long-standing customs believed to ward off bad luck and invite prosperity.
The SCMP highlights some of the most commonly avoided taboos during the Lunar New Year and the meanings and stories behind them.
Food to avoid
Food plays a central role in the celebrations, but not everything is suitable for the festive table.
It is important to avoid food…