Some Asian cultures avoid washing their hair on Lunar New Year to protect incoming luck and prosperity. Additionally, experts say it’s an act of mindfulness as we head into the year ahead.
Happy Lunar New Year to those who celebrate! Today marks the start of the Year of the Horse, according to the Chinese calendar. Known for its symbolism of strength, vitality, and momentum, the Horse sets an energetic tone for the months ahead. While many associate the holiday with donning red and gold, family-style meals, and vibrant celebrations, it’s also steeped in traditions and auspicious customs meant to shape the year from its very first day. And it’s worth noting: Lunar New Year is observed across a wide Asian diaspora, with variations in rituals and even timelines depending on culture and region. My Vietnamese family calls it Tết, and while the details differ a bit, the emphasis on protecting good fortune at the start of the year feels universal.
One tradition that continues to spark curiosity, especially as interest in Asian culture grows online, is the belief that you shouldn’t wash your hair on New Year’s Day, which falls on February 17 this year. The reason? It’s thought to wash away your luck just as it arrives (although oily scalps may consider this a true test of faith!).
“In many Asian traditions, especially within Chinese culture, the beginning of the Lunar New Year is treated as a sacred energetic reset,” says Dr. Jenelle Kim, a doctor of traditional oriental medicine. “The first day symbolizes renewal, prosperity, and the welcoming of good fortune for the year ahead. Because of this symbolism, washing the hair is traditionally avoided, as it is believed to ‘wash away’ luck, abundance, and blessings just as they are arriving.”
Although this practice has existed for generations, it’s recently received renewed attention on TikTok. AAPI creators are sharing the personal superstitions they grew up with and explaining how they honor them today. Content creator Isa Sung shared her Lunar New Year do’s and don’ts in a recent TikTok, with avoiding hair washing at the top of the list. “It is equivalent to washing away good fortune. So, if you’re going to a workout class, you might be a little stinky, or you have to wash your hair the night before.”
Another creator, Kaila, echoes this sentiment while positioning herself as everyone’s “Chinese big sister,” offering advice on how to have a prosperous year ahead. In addition to skipping wash day, she notes that cutting your hair is also discouraged, as trimming symbolizes “cutting away your fortune.”
Dr. Kim, who is also the author of The Korean Art of Living Well, notes that the practice goes deeper than literal luck. “From a holistic perspective, I view this not as superstition, but as a meaningful ritual that invites mindfulness. When we pause from our usual routines, even something as simple as washing our hair, we create space to honor intention, gratitude, and presence. These small ceremonial choices help align the body, mind, and spirit with the energy of renewal.”
Whether someone follows the tradition strictly or symbolically, the deeper message remains. The Lunar New Year reminds us to begin gently, protect our energy, and welcome the year with care rather than urgency. Even in modern life, there is beauty in starting slowly and allowing good fortune to settle in before we rush to cleanse, fix, or change anything.
If you’d like to partake, take advice from those who celebrate and plan your wash day accordingly. Ideally, you shampoo (or dry shampoo) the night before or wait until after the holiday to lather up again. After all, you can never have too much luck.