How many times do you kowtow during the New Year?

Knock three heads for one's own family and one for another's family when they pay a New Year call. Generally kowtow to elders, preferably grandparents. Don't kowtow too much, which will lead to a natural death. To kowtow is to land on the palm of your hand, without being positive or negative. You have to knock your head on the ground to show your respect.

This is a grand ceremony, which often happens in the following occasions: elders who meet for the first time, elders who meet their ancestors, people with high moral expectations or high status, teachers, New Year greetings, birthdays, thank humbly and so on.

Extended data

In the past, you should kowtow in the right direction, with your back facing the door and your front facing nave, memorial tablet or square table. Elders should sit on both sides, no matter where people are, they should sit in the right position and not kowtow to others.

Kowtowing during the Spring Festival is an ancient etiquette and a form of welcoming the New Year. Mainly young people do it to their elders. Junior students need to kneel on the ground with their hands on the ground and their heads on the ground. Every year from the first day to the fifteenth day of the first month, young people and adults go to the homes of neighbors and relatives in droves to kowtow.

During this time, the scroll of the genealogy plaque was hung in the main room of the house, and a mat was placed in front of the door for people to kowtow. When the guests come, first stand in front of the genealogy, worship three times, and then kneel down and kowtow three times. Then kowtow to the older people three times.