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? While most Westerners experience ‘Chinese New Year’ by watching parades in Chinatown and having a great meal, its traditions vary from country to country. The holiday is more aptly called ‘Lunar New Year’, as it marks the start of a new lunar cycle, and is one of the most important holidays in Asia. 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. This is a festival called Laba ( 腊八 Làbā /laa-baa/ '12th lunar month' + '8'), in the traditional sense, which Now let’s take a look at some Chinese New Year traditions and customs, and feel the cultural memory that belongs to Chinese people. Worshiping the Kitchen God. Chinese New Year usually begins with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. It is a traditional custom that has a great influence and is widely spread among Chinese In this article, we will explore the top 15 Chinese New Year traditions and customs that reflect the deep-rooted cultural significance of this festive season. Each tradition carries its own symbolism, from cleansing away the old to welcoming the new with joy and unity. 1. Spring Cleaning (Sweeping Away Bad Luck) Chinese New Year is one of China's traditional festivals with a history of over 1000 years. Throughout its evolution, it has developed many customs. Most of the traditions we see today have been passed down from the past. Read the top 15 Chinese New Year Traditional activities below: Chinese New Year traditions 1. House Cleaning Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities - 除夕. As the last day of the lunar year, Chinese New Year's Eve (除夕 chú xī) is the day before Chinese New Year. It is a grand reunion time for the whole Chinese family. Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan: Chinese New Year is a major holiday in these regions, with locals actively participating in customs and traditions. Taiwan enjoys a 6-holiday from January 28 to February 2 in 2025, while Hong Kong and Macau residents have a 3-day holiday from January 29 to 31 in 2025. 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 Travelling instead of staying at home to celebrate Chinese New Year has become more popular during the past few years. With the rapid development of transportation, especially high-speed railways and airways, it’s more convenient for Chinese to travel during the 7-day holiday, which provides a good opportunity for people to relax and take a Wong adds that many Chinese traditions around the new year, like cleaning or eating sweets, are all about setting the mood for the year ahead. "A lot of it feels about intent. Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. This week of relaxation has been designated Spring Festival, a term that is sometimes used to refer to the Chinese New Year in general. The origins of the Chinese New Year are steeped in legend. One legend is that thousands of years The Chinese New Year dinner also referred to as the "Reunion Dinner", called tuan nien fan or nian ye fan in Chinese, is perhaps the most loved aspect of the Spring Festival. It takes place on Chinese New Year's Eve (January 28th in 2025). The Significance of the Reunion Dinner Before the real New Year, there’s the Little New Year a few days beforehand. Again, people are remembered and prayers are said, but the most important activity is the thorough cleaning of your house, to drive out evil spirits. Alongside this, debts are paid and new clothing is purchased. This is all in preparation for the real New Year. New 5. 年花 (New Year Flowers) Symbolism: New Year flowers such as 桃花 (peach blossoms), 富贵竹 (lucky bamboo), and 桔子树 (tangerine trees) represent growth, prosperity, and good luck. Each flower carries its own specific auspicious meaning. Application: These flowers are used to decorate homes and offices during Chinese New Year. For Lunar New Year Traditions and Customs. Lunar New Year is a festival rich in traditions and customs. Asian countries share many similar traditions, but each also has some unique traditions. Preparations before Lunar New Year. People usually start preparing for the New Year a week or half a month in advance of the actual date of the holiday. Chinese people believe that, as the Spring Festival is the start of a new year, what you do then will affect your luck in the coming year. There are many Chinese New Year traditions about dos and don'ts. Find out the top 18 things you should not do. 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. This guide explores the rich customs and celebrations that make Chinese New Year traditions 2025 a truly unique cultural experience. The Heart of Chinese New Year Traditions 2025: Family Reunion Dinner. At the center of the Chinese New Year celebration is the family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. This meal is not just food—it’s a Customs and Traditions . Chinese New Year customs aim to bring prosperity and happiness. A major tradition involves cleaning homes to remove bad luck and make space for good fortune. Homes are
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