Everyday Life
Must a married daughter leave her parents’ home before evening on the second day of Lunar New Year?
English translation draft · Based on the Chinese article. This is not a word-for-word translation approved by Master Shengyuan.
There is no need to hurry away as evening arrives, or assume staying a little longer makes your parents’ household unfortunate for the entire year. Returning to accompany parents who wish for more time with their daughter is naturally a family reunion.
I understand such customs as connected with older ideas that a married daughter belonged to her husband’s family. Staying longer could prompt speculation that his family treated her poorly. Even a son-in-law remaining for dinner was said to eat away the household’s prosperity and harm its fortune. But parents happily inviting daughter and son-in-law for a meal is normal. If the household later faces difficulties, do not blame the son-in-law who stayed for dinner that day.
Discuss the actual length of the visit with your husband and family. If elders genuinely care about the custom, respect their views and communicate together. If neither side minds, simply enjoy being together. Someone married far away who seldom returns may understandably stay several days with parents. There is no need to begin in fear of a taboo.