Wake Forest University - Timothy S. Y. Lam Museum of Anthropology - Chinese New Year; Ancient Origins - The Origin of Lunar New Year and the Legend of Nian; Columbia University - Asia for Educators - The Lunar New Year: Rituals and Legends; Live Science - Chinese New Year: Customs & Traditions; Royal Museums Greenwich - Chinese New Year Traditions Traditions . Aside from New Year’s Eve, there are other important days of the 15-day Chinese New Year Festival, including:. JIE CAI CENG: Welcoming the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity During Chinese New Year, people have a long list of things to do. From one week preceding the festival to the 15th day after, many Chinese New Year customs are widely observed for thousands of years. The family reunion dinner, eating dumplings, and setting off firework are the must-dos that you might know. What else interesting do the Chinese do? The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Like all traditional festivals in China, Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. The history of Chinese New Year is intertwined with ancient agrarian society. Though the date of its exact beginning is not recorded, it probably began during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC), when people held special ceremonies at the beginning and end of each year in accordance with the seasonal agricultural planting cycle. Chinese New Year, also referred to as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals and began around 3,500 years ago. This festivity is tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, and it originated as a time for feasting and to honor household and heavenly deities and ancestors. The traditions of Chinese New Year spread to these regions as a result of migration, trade, and cultural exchange over centuries. Vietnam, which was under Chinese rule for over a thousand years, celebrates Tết Nguyên Đán, which shares many customs with Chinese New Year such as ancestor worship, red envelopes, and lucky foods. C hinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节), is the most significant celebration in Chinese culture, blending ancient traditions with vibrant modern adaptations. These beloved Chinese New Year traditions reflect the cultural essence of renewal, family unity, and prosperity. Chinese New Year’s Origin in the Shang Dynasty. Chinese New Year has a history of about 3,500 years. Its exact beginning date is not recorded. Some people believe that Chinese New Year originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people held sacrificial ceremonies in honor of gods and ancestors at the beginning or the end of each year. The history of Chinese New Year was closely associated with agrarian society in old times. Ancient people concluded the disciplines of cycles of seasons from their planting experience, and the yearly celebration came into being with the outcome of calendar in the Shang Dynasty. The earliest worshiping activities became the embryo of the festival. Ridgewood NJ, Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or the Spring Festival, is celebrated by an estimated 2 billion people worldwide. This 15-day festival marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar, occurring between January 21 and February 20. The Chinese assign animals to each new year. Every Lunar New Year marks a transition to an animal in the Chinese zodiac, according to Royal Museums Greenwich.In 2025, it will be the Year of the Snake. But this is not the only type of New Year’s celebration and not everyone celebrates on January 1st. Here we look at New Year’s traditions from around the world to understand the way different cultures celebrate the arrival of a new year. New Year’s Traditions in China: Chinese New Year and the Bloodthirsty Beast. One of the oldest The Chinese New Year is one of the oldest extant traditions in the world. This holiday has been traced back as far as three millennia ago, with origins in the Shang Dynasty. In its earliest days, this festival was linked to the sowing of spring seeds, but it eventually found ties to a fascinating legend. Lunar New Year, also called Chinese New Year or more recently Spring Festival, is an annual celebration of the new year in many parts of Asia. It is based on the ancient Chinese calendar and has Medieval Europeans Celebrated the New Year in March. In Medieval Europe, however, the celebrations accompanying the New Year were considered pagan and unchristian-like, and in 567 AD the Council of Tours abolished January 1st as the beginning of the year, replacing it with days carrying more religious significance, such as December 25th or March 25th, the Feast of the Annunciation, also called RELATED: Virginia Rings in the Chinese New Year With Vibrant Celebrations, Cultural Exchange. By creating a space for cultural exchange, the festival encourages participants to embrace a shared appreciation for the values and traditions of this ancient celebration that traces its roots all the way back to ancient Chinese civilization. Pre-Chinese New Year Preparations and Activities (Jan. 7–Feb. 12, 2025) Jan. 7, 2025: Laba Festival. Some Chinese start to celebrate and prepare for Chinese New Year as early as day 8 of the 12 th month of the lunar calendar. Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. Tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, it begins on the new moon that appears between January 21 and February 20. The holiday was Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year or Spring Festival 2025 falls on Wednesday, January 29th, 2025. Snake is the new year animal. Learn more about Chinese Lunar New Year traditions, taboos, food, zodiac signs, and greetings.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.