Customs for House Moving

We got the auspicious date and time for house moving.  And like anything else, the Chinese has few customs to follow prior and during the actual day of moving. 

Actually my hubby does not believe in such customs and he was commenting "too troublesome, etc" but when my parents are involved, he got no choice but to follow.  Lol!   My parents were helping us in getting the good date and advising us on the "to-do" and "not-to-do". 

The translation for my easy reference as follow:

1. All the front door and bedroom doors need to be wide opened except the kitchen door leading to the back yard.

2. All windows must be closed

3. All lights must be switched on for 24 hours.

4. Start spreading the combination of salt and rice from the kitchen all the way to the front and upstair rooms.  The utensil where you put the salt and rice should be kept and never use them.

5. In the paper, it mentioned the kerosene stove.  Lit the stove from the front and bring into the kitchen.  So if we cannot find any kerosene stove, we may opt for the next alternative.  And I heard from my mum not all petrol stations are selling kerosene now.  Why???  (2nd option: Bring and install the gas cyclinder.  Boil water in kettle.  Used the boiled water to make 6 cups of tea)

6. Hang the red cloth on top of the main door.  Never nail the middle part.  Only nail on both sides.  After 4 months, you can bring down and keep the red cloth.

7. Place 8 oranges in the living room and kitchen (on the table).  After one week, if the oranges are still in good condition, you can eat them.  Otherwise discard.

8.  Sweep the salt and rice from the kitchen all the way to the front door.  All the windows can be opened now.

Remark: New furniture and stuff can be moved in prior to the actual date.  Do not open or use them till the actual moving date.