From the beginning of festivities on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month to the Lantern Festival on day 15 of the new year, taboos, traditions and superstitions dominate the auspicious time. If you want to ensure you have a lucky, prosperous year, here's a list of what to do and what not to do.

DO THESE THINGS

Clean the house thoroughly on Sunday, New Year's Eve, said Cheryl Cumines of the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia, whose great-grandfather established ships providore and lodge King Nam Jang in the Rocks in 1911. A clean home means sweeping away any misfortunes to make room for a fresh, ordered start to the New Year.

Look out if you're a monkey. According to Chinese philosophy, those born with the same zodiac sign as the year's designated animal are going to have a particularly difficult year. Those born in the Year of the Monkey – 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992 and 2004 – are urged to lie low.

Credit:John Shakespeare