Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节), is the most important traditional festival celebrated in many East Asian countries, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and others.

When is Chinese New Year?

The date of Chinese New Year varies each year because it is based on the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, which can occur anytime between January 21st and February 20th on the Gregorian calendar.

The following is the list of Chinese New Year from 2024 to 2028.

The History of Chinese New Year

The history of Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is rich and spans thousands of years. It is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions and has evolved over time.

The origins of Chinese New Year can be traced back to ancient China. It is believed to have started during the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) as a way to celebrate the end of winter and the arrival of spring, as well as to offer sacrifices to deities and ancestors for a good harvest in the upcoming year.

Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, which is why its date varies from year to year. It is celebrated on the first day of the lunar month and continues for 15 days, culminating in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.

According to Chinese folklore, there was a legendary monster named Nian (年) that would come out on the eve of the new year to terrorize people. To ward off the monster, villagers would hang red lanterns, set off firecrackers, and make loud noises. This is the origin of many traditional customs associated with Chinese New Year, such as the use of red decorations and fireworks.

During the Western Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 9 CE), the lunar calendar was officially adopted for marking the new year. The custom of offering sacrifices to ancestors and deities, as well as the importance of family reunions, became central to the celebration. In the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 CE), Chinese New Year celebrations became even more elaborate. The emperor would perform rituals, and the festivities included parades and lantern displays.

Many of the customs associated with Chinese New Year have been passed down through generations and have evolved over time. These include the reunion dinner, the giving of red envelopes, dragon and lion dances. Chinese New Year has a deep and enduring cultural significance in Chinese communities worldwide. It is a time for family reunions, cultural heritage, and the renewal of hope and good fortune in the year ahead.

What People Do on Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year is a time of various customs, traditions, and activities that people engage in to celebrate the holiday. Here's how people might observe this day:

• Reunion Dinner: On the evening before Chinese New Year, families come together for a special reunion dinner. This is one of the most important aspects of the celebration, and it often includes dishes with symbolic meanings.
• Cleaning and Decorating: Before the new year, people thoroughly clean their homes to sweep away bad luck and make way for good fortune. They also decorate their homes with red lanterns, couplets with auspicious phrases, and various other ornaments.
• Red Envelopes: Adults give red envelopes, containing money to children and unmarried family members as a gesture of good luck and blessings for the new year.
• Fireworks and Firecrackers: Fireworks and firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits and welcome the new year with a bang. In some places, elaborate fireworks displays are organized.
• Lion Dances: Colorful lion and dragon dances are performed in public areas and outside homes and businesses. The dancers mimic the movements of these mythical creatures, which are believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
• Visiting Relatives: During the holiday, people visit the homes of relatives and friends to exchange greetings and well-wishes for the new year.
• Temple Visits: Some people visit temples to pray for good luck and make offerings to deities for blessings in the new year.

These are some of the key customs and activities associated with Chinese New Year, but it's important to note that specific traditions may vary by region and family.

The Legend of Nian (年)

The legend of Nian is a famous Chinese folklore that is associated with the origins of Chinese New Year customs and traditions.

Long ago, in a remote Chinese village, there lived a terrifying and ferocious mythical creature known as Nian. Nian was described as a monstrous beast with a lion-like head and a body like that of an ox. It was said to come out of hiding on the eve of the lunar New Year, wreaking havoc on the village.

Nian's appearance was accompanied by destructive behavior. It would devour crops, livestock, and even villagers, especially children. The villagers were terrorized and lived in constant fear of Nian's annual rampage.

One year, an old man arrived in the village. He was a wise and mysterious traveler who observed the villagers' distress. He told them that he could help them defeat Nian but with one condition: the villagers must follow his instructions carefully.

The old man instructed the villagers to decorate their homes with red lanterns and red paper, set off firecrackers, and prepare large quantities of food. He also told them to make loud noises by beating drums and gongs throughout the night.

Following the old man's advice, the villagers carried out these preparations on the eve of the lunar New Year. When Nian emerged from its hiding place and saw the village bathed in red light, decorated with loud noises and fireworks, it became frightened and confused.

The loud noises, the color red, and the festive atmosphere terrified Nian, which had never encountered such a situation before. It couldn't stand the commotion, and the creature fled in fear from the village, never to return.

The villagers realized that their actions had driven Nian away and had saved their village. They continued these customs of decorating with red, setting off firecrackers, and celebrating with feasts on Chinese New Year to ensure that Nian would never return. Over time, these traditions evolved into the modern-day Chinese New Year celebrations that we know today.

The legend of Nian not only explains the origins of many Chinese New Year customs but also conveys the message of the triumph of good over evil, unity, and the importance of following traditions to ensure a prosperous and peaceful year ahead.