Interesting Things to Know About Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival.
It is the most important traditional holiday in China.
Chinese New Year marks the start of the lunar calendar.
The festival lasts for 15 days, with celebrations culminating on the Lantern Festival.
It is a time for family reunions and gatherings.
Red is the dominant color during Chinese New Year, symbolizing good luck.
Lion and dragon dances are popular traditional performances during the festivities.
Each year is associated with a different animal from the Chinese zodiac.
The celebrations involve numerous firework displays and firecrackers to drive away evil spirits.
The Chinese New Year holiday causes the largest annual human migration globally, known as Chunyun.
Children receive red envelopes with money as a symbol of good fortune.
The festival is also celebrated in other countries with significant Chinese communities.
Dumplings are a traditional food eaten during Chinese New Year.
Mandarin oranges are considered a symbol of abundance and good luck.
It is customary to clean the house thoroughly before the new year to sweep away bad luck.
Chinese people often wear new clothes to welcome the new year and ensure a fresh start.
The Chinese character fu, meaning good fortune, is displayed on doorways during the festival.
Nian gao, a sticky rice cake, is a popular treat during Chinese New Year.
Feng shui principles play a significant role in preparing for the new year.
Interesting Things to Know About Chinese New Year part 2
The Lantern Festival on the last day of the celebrations features beautifully lit lanterns.
Chinese New Year celebrations are known for their lively parades with traditional music and dancing.
Traditional Chinese operas are performed as part of the festival.
Many Chinese families set off firecrackers at midnight to usher in the new year.
The Spring Festival Gala, a televised variety show, is watched by millions on Chinese New Year’s Eve.
It is considered unlucky to break objects or use sharp objects during the festival.
The Chinese believe that the Zodiac animal of the current year influences a person’s personality traits.
It is common to exchange gifts during Chinese New Year as a way to strengthen relationships.
The Chinese New Year lanterns are often decorated with symbols of good luck, such as the Fu character or the God of Wealth.
Some traditions believe that wearing new underwear on New Year’s Eve brings good luck for the coming year.
Many people visit temples during the festival to pray for good fortune and prosperity.
The color white is generally avoided during Chinese New Year as it is associated with mourning.
The number four is considered unlucky during the festival as it sounds like the word for death in Chinese.
The Beijing Temple Fair is one of the most famous festive events during Chinese New Year.
The number of lanterns hung during the festival is believed to represent one’s wealth and prosperity.
Many Chinese families prepare a tray of eight precious foods as an offering to their ancestors.
Traditional lion dances are believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck.
Chinese New Year greetings often involve wishes for good health, wealth, and happiness.
The largest and most famous Chinese New Year parade outside of China takes place in San Francisco.
It is believed that wearing and displaying the color red can scare away the mythical beast Nian.
In some regions of China, it is common to let off firecrackers at regular intervals during the festival to ward off evil spirits.
Chinese New Year is a time when many people return to their hometowns to celebrate with their families.
The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year named after an animal.
The color gold is often used to symbolize wealth and prosperity during Chinese New Year.
In preparation for the new year, it is customary to settle debts and disputes before the festival begins.
Dumplings are often shaped like ancient Chinese money as a symbol of prosperity.