Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Also known as the Spring Festival (春節), or simply Chinese New Year, religious observances are also an integral part of the festivities. While the New Year is generally centered around the general theme of family bonding, religious observances are also an integral part of the festivities. These include domestically oriented rituals associated with popular Chinese deities, such as the Kitchen God and the God of Wealth. Family members also make offerings and engage in other While the New Year is generally centered around the general theme of family bonding, religious observances are also an integral part of the festivities. These include domestically oriented rituals associated with popular Chinese deities, such as the Kitchen God and the God of Wealth. Restaurants are closed, but leading up to the New Year, tuck into heaping plates of dumplings (饺子, jiao zi)—which sounds like 交子 (jiāo zi); the second symbol, 交 (jiao) means "exchange The rituals and customs associated with Chinese New Year reflect deep spiritual beliefs. Key rituals include: Cleaning the House: This act symbolizes the removal of bad luck and the welcoming of good fortune. It is believed that cleaning on New Year’s Day itself may sweep away good luck. However, Chinese New Year is not related to any religion. It is simply a celebration of a new year according to the lunar calendar, just like a celebration of a new year according to the Gregorian (solar) calendar on January 1st. Buddhists celebrate Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, in many different ways depending on their cultural and regional backgrounds. The date is associated with renewal and purification. Take a look at eight Chinese New Year traditions with ties to folk religion. 1. Animals of the Chinese Zodiac. In China, it’s not necessarily an insult to call someone a pig, a rat, or even a dog. Animals represent each year of a twelve-year cycle and include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. When the New Year approaches, it is customarily ushered in with a Reunion Dinner that is replete with symbolic foods. For two weeks, visits are made and hosted with family and friends, gifts are exchanged and merriment is par for the course. As celebrated in China and in many other places where its known as the Lunar New Year, it is largely a secular holiday, yet it includes rituals and traditions that derive from Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, as well as from ancient myths and folk religions. In Singapore, Chinese New Year is the only traditional Chinese public holiday, likewise with Malaysia. Each region has its own holidays on top of this condensed traditional Chinese set. Mainland China and Taiwan observe patriotic holidays, Hong Kong and Macau observe Christian holidays, and Malaysia and Singapore celebrate Malay and Indian Instructors should work directly with students to accommodate religious observances. Whenever possible, Chinese New Year: Wednesday, January 29, 2025. In the West, Lunar New Year is often referred to as Chinese New Year. Activities include making offerings to household deities, hosting banquets for family and friends, and festive parades. Water Festival – The New Year’s celebration in several Southeast Asian countries. In some regions, dragon boat races are held and lanterns floated on The Lunar New Year celebrations that start on Feb. 1 will go on for a week. It is the year of the tiger, considered in Chinese culture as the foremost among all beasts. Chinese New Year is a highlight of The Spring Festival which lasts 15 days, and begins this year on February 19, and will end on March 5. However, there is an extended Spring Festival that lasts Chinese New Year: Lunar New Year marked by feasting and festive celebrations lasting over two weeks. Oktoberfest: A famous beer festival originating in Germany and celebrated globally. Thanksgiving: Primarily celebrated in the USA and Canada, where families gather for a feast to express gratitude. Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 from January 29 to February 12, marking the Year of the Wood Snake. Enjoy family gatherings, traditional dishes, and vibrant parades during this 15-day festival. UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) -- All public schools in New York are closed in observance of the Lunar New Year. Recent legislation modifies the education law to officially recognize the Asian Lunar New Year as a public school holiday across the State. This was enacted by Governor Kathy Hochul in September 2023. The main Chinese New Year activities include 1) putting up decorations, 2) eating reunion dinner with family on New Year’s Eve, 3) firecrackers and fireworks, 4) giving red envelopes and other gifts, and 5) watching lion and dragon dances. Christian: Candlemas: Commemorates the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. NA: February 2 China’s Lantern Festival, or Yuan Xiao Jie, is another example. The festival began long ago as a religious observance but now is often seen simply as a new year’s celebration of traditional Chinese culture. There’s also the traditional Hawaiian hula dance, which began as a form of worship to Laka, the goddess of love, forests, and plants.
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |