HOW TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR
Chinese New Year is here! The most important holiday in China is celebrated from the 1st to the 15th of the first month of the lunar calendar. Known as the Spring Festival (chūn jié), it heralds the end of the coolest part of Winter and the imminent arrival of Spring. It’s the major national holiday, schools are closed and many stores are closed too. You will see one of the largest mass human migration in the world, as Chinese travel and return to what they value most – family.
Hang on! Another new year!
Millions of people will be celebrating Chinese New Year and not just in China but in Chinese diaspora’s and communities far and wide. But from a Western perspective does it seem a month late? Well, because China although recognises the Gregorian Calendar (Western calendar starting from January 1st), it traditionally follows the Lunar Calendar (based on the moon’s phases) and the first day of the first lunar month marks the start of a new moon, and this occurs atleast 20 days after the start of the Western calendar. According to the Gregorian calendar there is no set date for Chinese New Year each year as the two calendars don’t align. Usually celebrations will take place between the end of January till mid-February and this year the first day will fall on February 5th.
Year of the Pig
Western horoscropes assign astrological star signs to each month, not too dissimilar, the Chinese zodiac – shēngxiào assigns animals however not to represent a month but an entire year. The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals and each one has different characteristics and symbolise something different. The correct order is rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, pig then the 12-year cycle repeats again. 2019 is the year of the pig and the pig symbolises good fortune and wealth. A good time to start a business, a good time to break into the Chinese market, just maybe.
Is it your year?
A little misleading but naturally you would think that because you were born in the year of the pig that when the year of the pig comes it will be lucky for you, but actually the Chinese believe that your běn mìng nián – year of your zodiac animal is the unluckiest. Supersitition says that people during their běn mìng nián will easily encounter and offend Tai Sui, the God of people’s fortunes. To fend off or dispel these unlucky spirits Chinese people believe in decorating their houses in red and wearing red clothing and accessories e.g. some people even go as far as wearing red underwear each day of the year. That is why red is not only the symbolic colour of China but also of Chinese New Year, it is seen as an auspicious colour. Everywhere you go you will see a wonderful adornment of red lanterns.
*For a more in-depth look at the Chinese Zodiac and to find out which animal you belong to please take a look at our previous article:
https://www.instantmandarin.com/news/the_chinese_zodiac_which_animal_are_you63
How to celebrate?
Many gifts are given out during Chinese New Year but one traditional custom is to give out lucky money – cash in red envelopes or red packets – these are called hóng bāo.This tradition has been given a modern twist as with the development of technology you can now send people digital red packets such as on WeChat.
Masses of people also attend temple fairs – miàohuì to worship and pay respects to the Gods.
If you’re lucky enough to experience Chinese New Year celebrations in China or in a Chinatown near you, you will most likely see the vibrant dragon dance - wǔ lóng.The dragon is a symbolic and iconic part of Chinese culture representing great power, wisdom and wealth. The longer the dragon dance the more fortune it brings.
Pow! Pow! You are also likely to hear the bangs of light firecrackers - fàng biān pào to welcome the new year. It is believed that firecrackers are used to scare away the demons and bad luck.
Two certain classic Chinese dishes have become a custom of the Spring Festival. Usually it is customary to eat dumplings – jiǎozi with your loved ones as dumplings represent wealth and legend has it that the more you eat on New Year’s Eve – chúxī the more success you will have in the coming year.
Tāngyuán are sweet rice balls, a delicious Chinese dessert that has come to be associated with reunion and togetherness. Very appropriate for Chinese New Year as families far and wide reunite and rejoice for the most auspicious occasion on the Chinese calendar.
Finally on the 15th of the first lunar month, Spring Festival ends with the Lantern Festival - Yuánxiāo jié which marks the first full moon of the new year. It is a visual spectacle not to be missed.
Want to learn more about common Chinese New Year greetings, you can click here:
https://www.instantmandarin.com/news/popular_chinese_new_year_greetings
If Chinese New Year has got you into the mood to learn Chinese, we have bespoke and professional 1-to-1 online lessons.
Happy Chinese New Year everyone! Have a good year of the pig!
Keywords
Xīnnián kuàilè! (新年快乐!) – Happy New Year!
chūn jié (春节) – Spring Festival
shēngxiào (生肖) – Chinese Zodiac
běn mìng nián (本命年) – Year of your zodiac animal
hóng bāo (红包) – Red envelope/packet
miàohuì (庙会) – Temple fairs
wǔ lóng (舞龙) – Dragon dance
fàng biān pào (放鞭炮) – Firecrackers
jiǎozi (饺子) – Dumplings
chúxī (除夕) – New Year’s Eve
Tāngyuán (汤圆) – Sweet rice balls
Yuánxiāo jié (元宵节) – Lantern Festival
