Traditionally, people eat vegetarian dishes on the first day of the Chinese New Year. The second day, however, marks the true start of the new year with a hearty meal that includes meat and fish. Feb 2. 5th day of the Chinese calendar. Welcoming the God of Wealth. The fifth day of the Chinese calendar is believed to be the birthday of the God By decluttering and deep-cleaning, you remove stagnant energy and make room for positive chi (energy) to flow freely throughout your home. According to Feng Shui, a clutter-free, clean space enhances your well-being and attracts good fortune for the year ahead. How to spring clean for Chinese New Year: A step-by-step guide 1. Declutter with purpose Cleaning before Chinese New Year has deep roots in ancient rituals, with practices documented as far back as 241 B.C.. The linguistic link between the word for dust and the concept of old age underscores the cultural belief in clearing away the past to invite good fortune. 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. Learn about the 21 customs and traditions of Chinese New Year, from cleaning the house to setting off fireworks. Find out the meanings and origins of the activities, foods, and decorations that celebrate the festival. Celebrated across Asia, Lunar New Year is particularly important in China, where celebrations span weeks and business often shut down for what is also commonly known as the Spring Festival. Cleaning one’s house is considered necessary preparation before the communal celebration, and a traditional way to clear out the old year’s detritus. “It is believed that house cleaning should be done before the new year’s eve, which is described by a saying: Say bye to the old, and welcome the new,” says Sijia Yao, PhD, an assistant professor Spring cleaning is a cherished Chinese New Year tradition, symbolising the removal of bad luck from the past year and making way for a fresh beginning. It involves a deep clean of the home and its surroundings, ensuring everything is spotless before the new year arrives. Learn how to clean your house before Chinese New Year to sweep away the bad luck of the past year and start fresh. Find out what else to do and what to avoid during the festive season, from decorations to food to greetings. These 100 sheets of soft and durable tissue ensure a comfortable and hygienic cleaning experience, aligning seamlessly with the traditions of Chinese New Year. 小年扫尘, with its profound symbolism and meticulous practices, embodies the essence of the Chinese New Year's preparations. Chinese New Year superstitions are traditional beliefs and practices observed during the Lunar New Year to bring good luck and ward off misfortune. These customs range from avoiding certain actions to performing specific rituals, all aimed at ensuring a prosperous year ahead. 20 Chinese New Year Superstitions 1. Avoid Cleaning on New Year’s Day 13. Watching the CCTV New Year’s Gala. On the eve of Chinese New Year, millions of people across China and beyond tune in to watch the CCTV New Year’s Gala. This televised variety show features a wide array of performances, including music, dance, comedy, acrobatics, and more. Cleaning and Preparation: The Days Before Chinese New Year. Prior to Chinese New Year, extensive cleaning is performed. The act of cleaning is believed to sweep away misfortune and negativity from the previous year and create a fresh start. This period of intense preparation often involves: Decluttering homes and making space for new blessings 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. Cleaning. It is traditional for families to clean their houses and the areas surrounding before the start of the new year. The word ‘dust’ in Chinese is a homophone for ‘old’, thus cleaning the house is symbolic of driving away the bad luck of the previous year to allow for a new start. Spring Festival couplets This custom of showing respect ensures blessings for the new year. 9. Staying up late “Shousui,” which translates to “after the New Year’s Eve dinner,” is the Chinese New Year tradition of staying awake past midnight. Also known as the New Year’s vigil, t his tradition is believed to prolong the lives of parents and welcome a Chinese New Year spring cleaning is a traditional cleaning ritual that is performed during the weeks leading up to Chinese New Year. It is believed that the practice brings good fortune and health There are more Chinese New Year traditions and customs, such as wearing new clothes, staying up late on Chinese New Year's Eve, watching the Spring Festival Gala, etc. How Long Is Chinese New Year Celebrations? Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. The This Wednesday, Jan. 29, marks the beginning of the Chinese New Year, ushering in the Year of the Wood Snake. Also known as Lunar New Year, it is celebrated in many Asian countries, including the Chinese tradition and superstition dictate that homes be clean before the start of the new year, ridding the house of the bad luck and misfortune of the past, and opening up spaces for all the new, good luck to enter and infuse your life.
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