Chinese New Year, called also spring festival, is the most significant of all the Chinese holidays. Chinese people from all over the world unite together in their tradition as they spend 15-day celebration with their New Years. There are lots of feasts, decorations, and interesting symbolism that relates to the history of the holiday and their desire for good luck. Here are some facts about the Chinese New Year we should know about.
The Chinese New Year can change date every other year. This is because the Chinese based their celebrations by using the lunar calendar which is a 10-month lunar calendar. It usually falls between January 21 and February 20. It marks the beginning of the first month in the Chinese
For each year, the calendar of the Chinese is identified by one of the 12 animals in theory astrology. It can be one among the 12 such as: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each of these zodiac animals all has their own unique significance in the Chinese astrology.
The Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days. It starts with the Lunar New year and ends with the Lantern Festival which is done in the 15th evening. Each of those 15 days has also has a specific significance for the Chinese. There is a specific day for visiting and honoring the elderly family, welcoming the Chinese gods, a day for prayers, a day to stay home and not visiting, a day to go to the market, to have reunions, and visiting and dining with the family. All of those tasks must only be done in the specific day. This is also included with their traditions.
During the Chinese New Year, people give red packets of money as a gift for their younger friends and relatives. They say that it will bring luck to the givers if they follow this tradition. Lots of fireworks and firecrackers will be heard during the Chinese New year. They say that these will drive away the evil spirits from the previous year. That way, they can start with a fresh and New Year peacefully. There are also dragon and lion dances, banners, floral decorations, red lanterns, and many more in the 15th day. The entire Chinese community will party and celebrate together in a very colorful way.
Although we all know the Chinese New Year is celebrated in China alone, it is now being celebrated all over the world. Almost in every part of the world, there is a Chinese community. There are Chinese people living in the Unites States and Canada, and also with China’s neighboring countries like Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, and the rest of South East Asia.
Those are the interesting facts about Chinese New Year. There are other facts about China which also relates with their traditions. It will take us a lot of researching to know them all because there are so many.
