The Chinese New Year (aka the Spring Festival or Lunar Year) is the most important holiday in China and other Asian countries like Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Philippines, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. Since it is based on the lunar calendar, the date of the Chinese New Year changes every year.
WHEN IS IT?
Because it is based on the lunar calendar, the first day of the Chinese New Year falls on the new moon between January 21st and February 20th.
The lunar calendar is based on the moon’s rotation around the earth, while the international calendar (solar calendar) is based on the earth’s rotation around the sun. Because a lunar month is two days shorter than a solar month, an extra month is entered into it every few years in order to make up for the gap. That's why the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
The Lunar New Year for 2018 will fall on February 16th.
CHINESE ZODIAC STORY
Legend has it that Buddha wanted animals to be part of the lunar calendar, so he asked all animals to meet him during New Year. However, only the first 12 animals who'd arrive would be selected.
Back then, the cat and the rat were friends, so when they heard the news they agreed to go together. However, the rat was conniving, and betrayed the cat by leaving early and going alone. On the way, the rat came across other animals that were much faster than him. Wanting to win, he struck a deal with the ox; the rat would sing throughout the trip if the ox carried him to the Buddha. Technically, the ox arrived first, but the rat cheated by jumping in front of him. He became the first selected animal followed by the ox, a tiger, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a horse, a goat, a monkey, a rooster, a dog, and a pig. Unfortunately, by the time the cat arrived, the selection was over. That's why the cat hates the rat and always tries to kill it.
Each animal has certain attributes that reveal a lot about your character based on the year you were born.
2018 is The Year of The Dog. Click the picture above if you'd like to know what your zodiac animal sign is.
THE ORIGIN - LEGEND OF NIAN
The origin goes 4000 years back to the Shang Dynasty. The legend started with the fight against a ferocious creature named Nian, who would ravage, burn, and terrify villages on the first day of New Year and eat everything from crops to children. Later, the villagers found out that Nian is afraid of the color red, fire, and loud sounds. Soon, hanging red lanterns, laying red scripture scrolls in front of gates, and shooting firecrackers became a ritual. This practice was passed down from generation to generation to keep evil away and soon celebrating New Year with firecrackers, noises, and the color red, effectively becoming a Chinese New Year custom.
Nian also means 'Year' in Chinese.
TRADITION & CELEBRATION
Traditional Chinese New Year celebration isn't only for a day. It runs from New Year's Eve through the 15th day of the first lunar month and ends with the Lantern Festival.
New Year traditions are changing with each generation, but here are the most common ones practiced in most regions of China.
PREPARATION
FAMILY REUNION
Chinese New Year sets the whole nation in a traffic frenzy as many people are traveling long distances to be with their loved ones. It's an important tradition that everyone is reunited with their families during the festive holiday.
CLEANING ( Sao Sui 扫岁 )
Before the New Year, every family will thoroughly clean the house to remove bad fortune and welcome the good fortune.
DECORATION
Chinese people decorate the house to welcome the New Year in red couplets and lanterns.
Red couplets ( Chunlian 春聯 )
These are rectangular shaped red scrolls with poetic verses written on them in Chinese calligraphy.
The couplets are pasted on each side of a doorway. One on top, one on the right side, and another on the left side of the doorway.
Fu ( 福 )
Fu means luck but when it is posted upside down it means that good luck is coming. Written in Chinese calligraphy on a red diamond shape couplet, it is posted upside down inside the house or outside on the center of the doorway. Nowadays, Fu is pasted all over the place in China. You will see it on trains, planes, cars, windows, and etc.
Red Lantern ( Deng long 灯笼 )
Lanterns are hung on the main gate of the house and sometimes inside the house to symbolize good fortune.
NEW YEAR MARKET
( ban nian huo 办年货 )
New Year markets are set up in most cities to sell fireworks, decorations, clothes, and festival foods. "Ban nian huo" is a Chinese tradition where Chinese people will buy new clothes and festival items for the New Year because it symbolizes getting ready for a new start.
NEW YEAR EVE
FIRECRACKERS & FIREWORKS
Firecrackers and fireworks are used to drive away evil, welcome good luck, and send off bad luck in China. Every family will shoot firecrackers on New Year's Eve, and fireworks are launched at midnight to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Some regions will shoot firecrackers before New Year's Eve dinner to invite ancestors to celebrate together.
NEW YEAR'S EVE REUNION DINNER ( Nian Ye Fan 年夜饭 )
Reunion dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese families, especially for the ones with family members away from home. Families will gather around a big, round table to enjoy dinner, because its round shape symbolizes reunion.
Different regions in China serve different dishes. In northern China, dumplings are the most important dish and symbolize wealth as they are shaped like ancient Chinese money. Fish is also served to increase prosperity. Other dishes served are based on personal preference.
Usually, Chinese families will gather together to eat dinner at home rather than at a restaurant. However, times have changed, and many families are now eating dinner at restaurants. Contrary to popular belief, there aren't special dishes that are served on New Year's Eve, only traditional ones.
INCENSE STICKS (头柱香)
Some people will go to temples and kindle some incense sticks. Doing so will bring good luck for the rest of the year. Some people do this on New Year's Eve while others do it the next day. It all varies based on region.
STAYING UP ( Shousui 守岁)
It's a tradition for Chinese families to normally stay up the whole night, but some people can only remain awake until midnight. People will launch fireworks all night long to scare evil, which ties with the legend of Nian.
NEW YEAR VISIT
( Bia nian 拜年)
People will be busy to give one another best wishes during the year. Early in the morning on January 1st, Chinese families will greet elders, visit relatives, meet friends, and rejoice with neighbors.
RED POCKETS
(hóngbāo 紅包)
A red packet in a red envelope containing money that grandparents give to their grandchildren on the first day of New Year. This Chinese tradition is called "Hong Bao" and it's believed that the money in the red packet will bestow much happiness, long life, protection from evil spirits, and good health.
THE LANTERN FESTIVAL
Spring Festival lasts 15 days and ends with the Lantern Festival because the first full moon falls on the 15th day of the first month marking the return of spring. People celebrate Lantern Festival with different activities. Lighting lanterns and releasing them to fly up is a way for people to send a wish or prayers. However, watching lanterns float and watching The Dragon and Lion Dance performance are the main activities of this festival.
I wish you all a happy prosperous year of the dog! May 2018 bring you all the blessings a heart can know!
