Gong Xi Fa Cai! The Lunar New Year is around the corner, on February 8th. Discover what this year brings from the team at Tory Daily — with a little expert help from New York Feng Shui Master Mr. Siu, a longtime friend of company. Here, we share his insight and compiled a handy tip sheet on things to do (and avoid!) to ensure a happy, healthy and prosperous new year.

This year is the Year of the Monkey — Fire Monkey, to be exact. Every year ushers in another zodiac sign — each symbolized by different animals; there are 12 in all — as well as one of the elements (metal, water, wood, fire and earth). The last Monkey sign was 12 years ago, the Wood Monkey, and it’ll return in 12 more years, in 2028, as an Earth Monkey.

This year will impact Monkeys the most, as well as the Tiger since the two are directly opposite to each other on the zodiac. Monkeys include those born in 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992; Tigers, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986 and 1998. Both, Mr. Siu warns, should be extra careful during this year.

Lucky Directions
Southwest, “to greet the God of Fortune,” says Mr. Siu, and East “for the God of Wealth.” He also advises avoiding certain directions, namely the Northeast. You can start by examining the direction of your bed at home; make sure the headboard doesn’t have its back to the Northeast — or, in other words, where your feet are directed towards the Southwest. Use a compass and check the direction of your desk at work, too; here, your back shouldn’t be against the Northeast. If you can’t actually move the desk, then slightly shift the direction you face.

Lucky Colors
Red and purple — they’ll strengthen your luck and give you good qi.

Lucky Flowers
Narcissus, lily, peony and peach blossom.

Lucky Times
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the best times to go outside are from 5:00 AM to 11:AM and from 1:00 AM to 3:00 AM. Avoid 3 PM to 5 PM.

Chinese New Year Dos & Don’ts

Clean and tidy up your house before the new year. It’s a symbolic gesture, too: You’re cleaning out the old to have a new beginning. Look forward to the good things…

The day before the Lunar New Year, make sure to throw out any and all garbage because on New Year’s Day, it’s considered bad luck to do so — even to dust or sweep the floor. As the superstition goes, you don’t want to accidentally toss out any good fortune that day.

You can resume garbage disposal the day after — but there’s a proper way to do it. Instead of, say, sweeping the dirt outward and over the threshold of the door — that’s a no-no during the celebration season — you sweep from the door inwards to the center of the room. The dirt and debris, piled in the middle, should then be put in a garbage bag and carried out.

Get a haircut in advance of the new year — it’s considered good luck. On the flip side, don’t cut your hair on New Year’s Day because — you can see where this is going — you don’t want to snip away your luck. Similarly, tradition warns against washing your hair or showering on New Year’s Day (so you don’t wash away the fortune, naturally).

Also bad luck? Using scissors or knives or needles — or any sharp object really. Put them away on New Year’s Day.

Make sure to clear all your debts before the new year, and on New Year’s Day don’t ask to borrow or lend any money. According to superstition, what you do that day will set the tone for the rest of the year.

…and by this same token, no crying! If you cry on New Year’s Day, you’ll be crying for the rest of the year. And no cursing or scolding either. All of which makes the Lunar New Year a prime holiday for kids since, one, they’re spared from punishment when they misbehave and, two, parents want to steer them from any tears and bawling.

On New Year’s Eve, stay up late — past midnight to ring in the new year. It’s as much a tradition in the East as the West, but there’s an extra layer here. Doing so brings good fortune to your parents — it’s symbolic of watching over your parents from the old year to the new.