With Chinese New Year fast approaching, Malaysians near and far are rushing to shopping malls to do some last minute shopping and get some spring cleaning done at home. It’s a hectic yet exciting month for a lot of us!
In fact, many also take this opportunity to do whatever they can to usher in more prosperity and good fortune all year long. Here are some peculiar practices Malaysians do to increase their “Ong”. Psst… you probably practise some yourself too! 
1. Avoiding books at all costs
Source: Pbs
This probably comes as good news to some of us, but for those of you who actually love reading, it’s time to put down those books and leave them on the shelves for a bit.
This is due to the fact that the word “Shu” (book) in Cantonese is a homonym for “lose”, and you wouldn’t want to lose out on any prosperity this year, would you?
2. Hiding every single sharp object in our homes
Source: Colavita
Sharp objects like knives, scissors, razors, blades and so forth are thought to be harbingers of bad luck. Their sharp edges are believed to cut all your good luck and prosperity away. Oh no!
3. Buying and keeping pet fishes at home
Source: MyAquariumClub
Ever visited your uncles or aunties and wondered why, of all pets, they decided to keep one fish in that gigantic tank? Or maybe you’ve had relatives who built a man-made pond right in their homes to house Koi fish? Well, now you know why!
Besides the belief that keeping fishy friends helps balance the Feng Shui at home, it is believed they bring good luck too! This is in relation to the Chinese idiom “年年有余” (nian nian you yu), which roughly translates to “having surplus/abundance every year”, and “yu” also happens to sound similar to the Chinese word for fish. Hence, the fishy pets.
4. Shopping for new shoes before CNY, NOT during
Source: Shutterstock
Chinese New Year is the one excuse we all have to shop ’til we drop for new apparel and everything wonderful. Well, just make sure you do all that shopping before CNY because shopping for shoes during CNY is believed to bring bad luck.
This is because the word “shoe” or “hai” in Cantonese is a homonym for “rough”, which can suggest a rough year ahead for you!
5. Rolling a pineapple (yes, pineapple) into your house
![[TEST] 8 Peculiar Practices Malaysians Do to Increase Their 'Ong' - WORLD OF BUZZ](https://worldofbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/test-8-peculiar-practices-malaysians-do-to-increase-their-ong-world-of-buzz.jpg)
Source: SilverKris
The reason pineapples are specifically used is because the word “pineapple” (凤梨; fènglí) can refer to luck, prosperity and excellent fortune. Additionally, the pineapple is also called “wong lai” in Cantonese and “ong lai” in Hokkien, which, when directly translated, sounds like “prosperity come” in Cantonese. #ongmari
6. Cracking a red egg on someone’s head
Source: FeedingTheSaints
This sounds incredibly strange to some of us but imagine how funny it is to watch!
For the Hokkien-Chinese in Malaysia, many believe that red eggs symbolise growth and good fortune, and so, cracking a red egg on someone’s head is likened to wishing them growth and prosperity! Yay!
It also makes for a pretty hilarious Instagram story.
7. Opening every single window in the house
Source: iStock
Not only is this good for ventilation and letting fresh air into the house, but many believe that opening the windows wide allows for good fortune to enter. Time to let all the old out and make space for the ‘ong’!
8. Giving more gifts to gain good fortune
Source: Hallmark
Growing up in an Asian household, you’ve probably heard your parents say things like, “We need to buy something for your auntie, she bought us CNY cookies”. Especially during CNY, it’s common courtesy and a popular belief for many to bring gifts when visiting. In doing so, the receiver of these gifts will often be inclined to return the favour by giving more gifts! Yay, more ‘Ong’!
With that said, make sure you start shopping for some gifts for your friends and family!
And to make gift giving a bit more special this CNY, bring prosperity to people around you with Ah Huat’s Prosperity Gift Packs for good fortune all year long!
After all, the ‘huat’ is a homonym for ‘prosperity’! And what better way to keep yourself awake during CNY than with Ah Huat’s White Coffee! Wouldn’t want to fall asleep and miss out on all the ‘Ong’ right?
The Ah Huat Prosperity Gift Packs even come with two options to cater to different preferences:
1. 2 packs Ah Huat Extra Rich + 1 pack Ah Huat Hazelnut & Cane sugar
2. 2 packs Ah Huat Gold Meal + 1 pack Ah Huat Hazelnut & Cane sugar
These gift packs are already available at selected supermarkets and hypermarkets while stocks last, so hurry and bring ‘Huat’ and ‘Ong’ to your family and friends with Ah Huat Prosperity Gift Packs!
Find out more about the Ah Huat Prosperity Gift Pack by watching this awesome video:
For more info on Ah Huat CNY Prosperity Gift Packs, visit their website now!
