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. Families often prepare and enjoy this sweet and chewy delicacy during the celebrations, believing it will lead to greater prosperity in the coming year. 15. Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival, which occurs on the 15th day of the first lunar month. 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 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. 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. Now let’s take a look at some Chinese New Year traditions and customs, and feel the cultural memory that belongs to Chinese people. Worshiping the Kitchen God. Chinese New Year usually begins with the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the Kitchen God. It is a traditional custom that has a great influence and is widely spread among Chinese Visiting extended family and friends during the week of Chinese New Year and exchanging gifts is a Chinese New year tradition that goes on throughout the 15-day holiday. This process of visiting family and friends is called bài nián (拜年), in which you wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. From sharing food with family to visiting temples and more, here are common Chinese New Year traditions you need to remember for a prosperous year The new year signifies a year of fresh begi 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 This year, Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday, January 29. Those who celebrate will be entering the year of the snake. Just like with any holiday, traditions abound for Chinese New Year. Some of Chinese New Year holds deep meaning in Chinese culture. It marks new beginnings and brings families together to celebrate traditions passed down for generations. Historical Background. Chinese New Year dates back over 3,000 years to the Shang Dynasty. It began as a way to mark the end of winter and welcome spring. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the Year of the Snake. Different countries across Asia celebrate the new year in many ways and may follow a different zodiac. In Chinese tradition, each year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals. Zodiac animals follow this order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities In Chinese, "fish" (鱼 Yú /yoo/) sounds like 'surplus'. Fish is a traditional Chinese New Year dish on the Chinese New Year dinner menu. Chinese people always like to have a surplus at the end of the year, because they think if they have managed to save something at the end of the year, then they can make more in the next year. Prior to the Lunar New Year, special markets in China, as well as local Chinatowns in the United States and other countries with large Chinese populations, sell the supplies needed to prepare the The act of sharing and enjoying these delectable pockets during the New Year celebrations becomes a communal tradition that extends beyond culinary delight, fostering a sense of togetherness and the belief in the prosperous journey that lies ahead. 20. Niangao (Chinese New Year Cake) The 2024 Chinese New Year date is the 10th of February, and the Chinese Lunar New Year 2024 is the year of the Dragon. Leading up to the New Year, there's a buzz of excitement as many people travel to be with their families. On Jan. 29, Asian American communities around the U.S. will ring in the Year of the Snake with community carnivals, family gatherings, parades, traditional food, fireworks and other festivities
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