Learn about the traditions and rituals of Chinese New Year, from cleaning the house to setting off fireworks. Discover the meanings and origins of dumplings, couplets, door gods, and more. 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 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. Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) is the most solemn traditional festival of the Chinese nation.The main content of Chinese New Year traditions is to remove the old and build new ones, worship the gods and ancestors, pray for blessings and drive off disasters. 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) 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. In the days leading up to Chinese New Year, Chinese families sweep the floors, wash clothes and other things, clean spiders' webs, and dredge ditches. 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 New Year’s Eve Dinner. The New Year’s Eve dinner is the most important meal for Chinese families. Normally, this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family members away from home. The majority of Chinese families will gather at a family member’s home instead of a restaurant to eat the New Year’s Eve dinner. Fireworks Chinese New Year celebration is not exclusive to immediate family members, but among all relatives and friends. Married couples should visit the wife’s parents on the second day of the New Year. During the following days, people visit different relatives, bringing gifts and red envelopes to express care, love, and good wishes. 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 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 Philippines. For many, it’s a time to set intentions for a prosperous year ahead. On days leading to Out of all the Chinese New Year customs and traditions, this one might be a young person’s favorite. Every new year, adults give children red envelopes containing paper money and/or coins. Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebration usually lasts 15 days, from New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the Chinese New Year—the Lantern Festival.In 2025, the celebration starts on Jan. 28th and ends on Feb. 12th. The Lunar New Year: Rituals and Legends. The Lunar New Year; The Chinese Calendar; Preparations for the New Year; New Year’s Eve; New Year Festivities; The Lantern Festival; Suggested Reading; The Lunar New Year. For Chinese, in China and in ethnic communities around the world, the lunar new year is the most important and most festive holiday 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 decorated with red lanterns 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. [Eating] sweet New Year Feng Shui Rituals: The kind of excitement that surrounds the New Year 2025 is spectacular, and everyone looks forward to this time of the year.. According to the Chinese calendar, the lunar Year begins on the 22 nd of January, 2025, and this calls for adequate preparation and doing everything needed to welcome the New Year with warmness to enjoy the prosperity and other benefits it Chinese New Year involves a lot of traditions, including housecleaning, a dinner with family, giving gifts in red envelopes, fireworks and dancing people dressed up as dragons and lions. While the Western world celebrates the new year in 1 day, Chinese New Year goes on for 2 weeks. Understanding Chinese New Year Superstitions. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important holiday in Chinese culture. It marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is a time for family reunions, feasting, and observing various traditions.
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