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? 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. 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 The holiday is sometimes called the Lunar New Year because the dates of celebration follow the phases of the moon. Since the mid-1990s people in China have been given seven consecutive days off work during the Chinese New Year. 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 What do Chinese people do then? After half a month's busy time with a house spring-clean and holiday shopping, the festivities kick off on the New Year's Eve, and last 15 days, until the full moon arrives with the Lantern Festival. Scroll down and let's look through the core traditions and practices of the Chinese New Year. How is Chinese New Year celebrated? Spring Festival is a time for families to come together, exchange money-filled red envelopes (红包, hóngbāo), and enjoy delicious Chinese food. The Chinese New Year is a 15-day holiday and includes a variety of festivities depending on the region and its local traditions and customs. How does the Chinese zodiac influence the Chinese New Year tradition? Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, shaping themes and celebrations. For example, the Year of the Snake emphasizes wisdom, vitality, and renewal, aligning with broader cultural values of reflection and growth during the festival. The holiday is not celebrated just in mainland China and Hong Kong. For Chinese people, Lunar New Year is the Spring Festival, 25 Unique Traditions Around the World. 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. Chinese New Year traditions: Holidays around the world. Traditions tend to be a significant part of Chinese New Year celebrations. The following are some traditions that people may follow: Buying new clothes for the new year Giving red envelopes with money to children for luck, health, and growth Having a family reunion dinner In addition to Chinese New Year symbols being found in decorations and through traditions, some of the symbols of Chinese New Year are also found in gifts and foods. Red envelopes Family and close friends hand out red envelopes, called hóngbāo in Mandarin, with money in them. 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 New Year 2025: Family Traditions. Chinese New Year 2025 is a perfect opportunity to meet with your family and friends, wish your nearest and dearest all the best for the next year, eat delectable Chinese New Year’s day meals, sing charming Chinese New Year songs, and experience exciting CNY 2025 happenings. 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 The Basics. Much like the celebration of the New Year in the Western world, Chinese New Year is all about the hopeful spirit of renewal. The holiday’s traditions, symbols and rituals are all meant to wipe the slate clean and prepare for prosperity, good luck and happiness in the new year. Traditional Chinese festivals and holidays including lunar Chinese new year, lantern festival, Mid-autumn festival etc, are an important part of the country's history and culture. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture and is celebrated by millions across Asia and the world. Unlike the Gregorian calendar New Year, Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning it falls on a different date each year, usually between January 21 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. 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.
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