The last event held during the Chinese New Year is called the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them during a nighttime parade. Since the dragon is a Chinese symbol of good fortune, a dragon dance highlights festival celebrations in many areas. 12. Temple Visits. Visiting temples during Chinese New Year is a spiritual tradition. People go to temples to pray for good health, prosperity, and success in the year ahead. Lighting incense, making offerings, and seeking blessings from deities are common practices during temple visits. 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 Wong Tai Sin temple is decorated – and busy – during Chinese festivals (© The HK HUB) At the beginning of Chinese New Year, people visit temples to seek blessings and pay respect to their chosen deities. One of the most popular temples in Hong Kong is Wong Tai Sin Temple. Visiting temples. During Chinese New Year, devotees light incense, pray, and make offerings to deities —asking for blessings and guidance for the new year. But more than that, it’s also a time Temple Fairs: A Hub of Tradition and Festivity. Temple fairs (miaohui) are among the most iconic and popular outings during Chinese New Year. These fairs date back over a thousand years to the Tang and Song dynasties, originally serving as gatherings around temples for religious worship. As the lunar calendar approaches the auspicious date of Chinese New Year (春节 - Chūnjié), homes and streets across China come alive with vibrant colors and symbolic decorations. In this blog, we delve into the enchanting world of Chinese New Year decorations, discovering the profound meanings behind each adornment and the joyous spirit they bring to the festivities. 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? So if you have fish every year, you’ll also have extra money, harvests and luck! As for legends and myths, you can always expect dragons and various gods in Chinese New Year decorations. Zodiac animals, especially the animal of the year, go without saying as well. Chinese culture has a history that spans thousands of years. Gifting during Chinese New Year is rooted in wishing each other a prosperous year ahead. Giving gifts to families during Chinese New Year house visits is customary, symbolising the desire for a blessed year. Gifts, such as mandarin oranges, hong bao, and other useful items, are the most common and show respect and love towards the recipients. When to visit Binondo for the CNY: Check the lunar calendar for the exact date of Chinese New Year as it changes each year. Many people visit Binondo during the Chinese New Year proper, but if you prefer lesser crowd, visit a few days before the actual date. Don’t worry, you won’t miss a lot since festivities are held all week long. The temples are particularly beautiful at dusk, as they are brought to life by countless lanterns during the Chinese New Year. You can also find great decorations, special offers and even performances and shows in the city’s larger shopping malls – for example in Terminal 21 Mall or Siam Paragon. Download this stock image: ladies seen during Chinese New Year at Thean Hou temple. Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year according to traditional lunar Chinese calendar. This year the festival on 29th January 2025 marked the arriving year of Snake. (Photo by Faris Hadziq / SOPA Images/Sipa USA) - 2SAFR1X from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution During the season preceding the new year it is a joy to walk through the Chinese New Year Flower markets which are breeming with these favorite blooms. Peonies The peony is also known as the "king of flowers" and represents royalty, virtue and honor. Every Chinese New Year, the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur comes alive as thousands of red lanterns are lit to celebrate the holiday. If you’re in the city with your family during this festive occasion, visiting the Thean Hou Temple is one of the best ways to celebrate, with free performances of lion and dragon dances to watch. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most significant cultural celebrations in the world. In Phnom Penh, the heart of Cambodia, the festival offers a Chinese New Year Gifts. Giving gifts during the Chinese New Year is an opportunity to express blessings and heartfelt wishes. When choosing gifts, attention should be paid to practicality and the preferences of the recipient, as well as the festival cultural connotations and social etiquette. Here are some recommendations for Chinese New Year "Praying on the first day of the New Year is very effective. I wish to have a baby this year," said a female worshiper. As one old Chinese saying goes, if you want to make a wish at Beijing's temples, male worshipers should go to the Lama temple and females to the Hongluo temple for making their wishes come true. For years now, the Chinese New Year festivities in Kuala Lumpur have been synonymous with Thean Hou Temple. In the weeks leading up to and throughout the 15-day celebration, the venue at the prime What are the dates of the Chinese New Year holiday in 2025? Chinese New Year 2025 begins on January 29. The official holiday period in China lasts from January 28 to February 4. This week-long break allows families time to gather and celebrate. How is Chinese New Year celebrated in Honolulu? Honolulu hosts several events for Chinese New Year.
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