Chinese New Year


Chinese New Year is the biggest and most important holiday of the year for Chinese people around the world. It is actually two celebrations in one. According to Chinese tradition, everyone’s birthday is celebrated on New Year’s Day. This is also the most important time of the year for families to get together.

Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date on the western calendar because it is based on the lunar calendar. It always falls between January 20 th and February 21 st. Each year the Chinese calendar is represented by one of twelve animals from the Chinese Zodiac. The signs include animals such as the ox, the rabbit, the snake, and the horse. For example, 1998 was the year of the Tiger. 2010 was also the year of the Tiger. The Chinese believe that people share the characteristics of the animal that represents the year of their birth. All of the animals are associated with different characteristics. Two people who are born in the year of Rooster are thought to be similar.

There are many traditional activities associated with Chinese New Year and many of these symbolize new life and new beginnings. Many are also related to the idea of good luck. Chinese people sweep and clean their houses before New Year and then put away their brooms so good fortune will not be swept away. They always pay off their debts before New Year’s Day because it is bad luck to begin the New Year if you owe money. People also buy new clothing and new shoes because they believe that bad luck will come to those who step on the ground in old shoes on New Year’s morning. It is also important to settle old arguments.

The color red is seen everywhere on Chinese New Year because it represents fire, which according to legend, can drive away bad luck. Gold is also an important color at this time. It represents wealth and good fortune.

Families decorate their homes with flowers and paper decorations. Exchanging gifts is an important tradition and children always receive red envelopes containing “lucky money”. The traditional New Year’s greeting is “kung hey fah choy”, which means “I wish you a prosperous New Year.” Food is a very important part of the New Year celebrations. Families and friends get together for large feasts and many of the foods that are eaten have special meanings. Fish is eaten to ensure long life and good fortune.

Red dates bring prosperity, lotus and melon seeds will bring many children, and oranges symbolize wealth. Ancestors are remembered with offerings of food. The table is usually covered with a red cloth and red candles and often there are twelve courses to represent the twelve animals of the zodiac. The dragon and the lion are other popular symbols of Chinese New Year. Many Chinese communities around the world celebrate with dragon and lion dances and parades through the streets with people dressed in brightly colored costumes; and of course, a Chinese New Year celebration would not be complete without loud and colorful fireworks.

In many Chinese communities, the New Year is celebrated as official holidays for three or four days, but often the celebrations continue until the Festival of Lanterns which is on the fifteenth day of the New Year.