The Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or spring festival is the most important traditional festival in China and the most widely observed public holiday in the world.
More than 1.5 billion people, representing over one-sixth of the world’s population celebrate this festival while sixteen countries mark the Lunar New Year with public holidays. Some of these include Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Mainland China.
The Chinese new year marks the first new moon of the lunisolar calendars traditionally used in many East Asian countries. The festival signals the beginning of spring, and it is a time to bid farewell to the old year and usher in a new year. In 2023, the Lunar New Year falls on January 22.
The new year period ends 15 days later on the first full moon, with a Lantern Festival. Family members stay at home on the eve of the new year to have a banquet together and wait for the dawn of next year.
Legend has it that this holiday originated from a time when villagers defeated a Nian, a ferocious dragon that eats livestock and children.
Chinese new year emerged as the yearly celebration of victory, with records showing celebrations as far back as the 14th-century Shang Dynasty.
China Zodiac:
Famously, each year is named after one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. The cycle is based on a folktale called the Great Race, in which 12 animals took part in a race to reach the Jade Emperor. The order they completed the race is the order in which the years are named. The rat won by catching a ride on the back of the Ox and then jumping off its back at the last minute. This means the Ox has to settle for second place. The other 10 fill in the places behind, with the Pig coming last. 2023 is the year of the rabbit, the fourth animal in the cycle.
Customs of Spring Festival:
Festivities during the festival include fireworks, parades and performances. Tradition says that Nians emerge from hiding places on New Year’s Eve, but are frightened off by the red decorations and banners and the sound of firecrackers. On Chinese New Year’s Day, children are not punished even if they are misbehaving because, according to tradition, if children cry on this day, they will cry all year. Children also receive red envelopes containing money.
Worlds Largest Migration:
Chinese new year creates the world’s largest annual migration. Known as the spring festival travel rush, the total trips taken each year exceed three billion. It has its name, Chunyun, Spring travel.
Also, the world record for most text messages sent in a day is broken each year during Chinese New Year. The current record is 19 billion.
The lunar festival is celebrated around the globe, from Southeast Asia countries, and old Chinese communities to the more recently established China towns of Sydney, London, Vancouver, Los Angeles and beyond.
Spring Festival Food:
Dumplings are a popular New Year’s food as they symbolize happiness and prosperity. People believe that dumplings will bring good luck for the coming year.
One mealtime tradition is to place a small item, usually a coin or jujube into one of the dumplings. If someone gets the coin, it would signify that person will have good financial luck in the new year, whereas a jujube would signify romantic luck.
With thoughts turning to what the coming year might bring, Fortune Cookies are a popular treat.
A dessert made from glutinous rice flour, called Tangyuan, is a sweet favourite in Southern China. The round shape of the Tangyuan represents togetherness and reunion.
People will often eat noodles on the second day of the Lunar New Year as noodles represent longevity.
Cakes signifying a prosperous year, spring rolls, and fruits which signify life and new beginnings are also a common delicacy during the festival.
Time for shopping:
Chinese New Year is also a good time for shopping, as many towns set up a special new year marketplace where you can buy fireworks, new year prints, gifts or clothing. It is a tradition that new year clothes, especially red ones, will bring good luck in the New Year.
Finally, the most common Chinese New Year greeting is “Guo Nian Hao” which means “Happy New Year.”
