In three weeks time, we’ll say goodbye to the Monkey and welcome the Rooster. The Chinese around the globe adopt various unique customs in preparing for Li Chun (立春), a period that marks the beginning of spring season in the lunar calendar, and Singaporeans aren’t any different.
Essentially, don’t be surprised to see hundreds of people queuing at banks and ATMs island-wide on Feb 3 this year.
Why is that so, you ask? It is believed among the Singaporean Chinese that depositing money into your bank account during auspicious periods will bring good luck during the New Year period.
Yeah, Singaporeans are weird in that sense when one sees what China does for Li Chun.
Before we continue, take a moment to observe this timetable for Singaporeans to deposit their cash during the “most auspicious” period.
Timetable shows best times to deposit money on ‘auspicious’ Li Chun on Feb 3 https://t.co/kkEpKl3dce pic.twitter.com/v2q6wN1OvK
— The Straits Times (@STcom) January 4, 2017
So how does one go about this practice? For those completely new to the art of Li Chun’s money-depositing frenzy, all you have to do is wear your outfit in the correct colour AND deposit your money according to the time period allotted by the time table above based on your zodiac (i.e. if you’re born in the year of the Ox, wear something red and stow your cash into your account between 3pm-4:59pm/11pm-11:59pm). It doesn’t matter if you do your business in the branch itself or with ATMs.
Apparently, some others swear by the magic of internet banking as well, but we’re not too sure on that.
All in all, this is a practice that’s been adopted by Singaporeans over time to become the norm with each passing CNY. For the younger generations who aren’t as superstitious, perhaps honest, hard work would be sufficient to rake in the cash.
