Gallery
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
 |  |
Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) is the oldest traditional festival in China, but a few people concern the origin and story behind the holiday. Many existing customs and activities of the festival actually can be traced back to a popular story of the Monster Nian, which helps to explain why and how the festival is celebrated. The origin of the Chinese New Year Festival can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. Chinese New Year has evolved over a long period of time and its customs have undergone a long development process. A Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Like all traditional festivals in China, Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. Chinese New Year's Day is called Guo Nian (过年) in Chinese, which can mean 'celebrate (a new) year' or 'overcome Nian'. The character 年 (Nián) could mean a 'year' or 'the monster Nian'. In ancient times, there was a monster named Nian (年, or Nianshou 年兽) with a long head and sharp horns. It dwelled deep in the sea all year round and 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 Legend of the Origin of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is steeped with stories and myths. One of the most popular legends is about the mythical beast Nian (Year). He ate livestock, crops, and even people on the eve of a new year. To prevent Nian from attacking people and causing destruction, people put food at their doors for Nian. Chinese New Year, also referred to as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals and began around 3,500 years ago. This festivity is tied to the Chinese lunar calendar, and it originated as a time for feasting and to honor household and heavenly deities and ancestors. The date of Chinese New Year changes each year because it's based on the lunar calendar. While the western Gregorian calendar is based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun, the date of Chinese New Year is determined according to the moon’s orbit around the Earth. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Legendary tales and mythological creatures are interwoven throughout the history of Chinese New Year. One of the most famous is the story of the Nian monster. According to folklore, on the night before the new year, the Nian would emerge from its dwelling and rampage through villages, devouring livestock and people. The history of Chinese New Year can be dated back to 3,800 years ago. Its origin was the worshiping activities for harvest in Shang Dynasty (17th century -1046 BC). Like all traditional Chinese festivals, the origins of Chinese New Year are steeped in stories and myths. One of the most popular, which emerged during the Zhou dynasty (1046-256 BC), is about the mythical beast ‘Nian’ (which translates to ‘year’), who terrorised local people by eating livestock, crops and even humans on the eve of The following story reveals legendary reasons, and some of the characteristics of the 12 animals. The story is widespread (and widely varying) among Chinese. Though it is made up, it might be interesting for you to tell your children and friends. The Heavenly Gate Race Story - Reasons for Zodiac Rankings. Long, long ago, there was no Chinese China is a nation of many holidays, but the Lunar New Year has remained the most important holiday for thousands of years. Unlike our Western New Year, which is based on a solar calendar, the Chinese New Year is based on the traditional lunisolar calendar whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. The Chinese New Most of us are familiar with the Chinese Zodiac and how it differs from the Western Zodiac. The Chinese system is based on the lunar calendar and assigns an animal to each year within a 12-year cycle. It is said that people born each year receive some of that year’s animal’s reputed attributes. But where does this belief come from? Celebrating the Lunar New Year is a huge deal for Chinese people all over the world. We wanted to find out why this day was so important and the story behind the celebrations. ‘Gong Xi Fa Cai’: The story behind a greeting . While all cultures celebrate the new year, the Chinese are probably one of the few that use these money-related words as their greetings in the biggest festival of the year. Chinese New Year and the Zodiacs. Each of these zodiac animals governs a whole year, which starts at Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar. This usually corresponds to January or February in the western calendar. When the current year has the same zodiac animal as the year you were born, you are said to be in Ben Ming Nian. Unsurprising of a story so old, alternative origins exist, including one version of the legend that includes sealing money in red paper. But the earliest examples of mass-produced envelopes today synonymous with Chinese New Year appear to be from 1961, produced by Wells Fargo. As Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year, is celebrated more and more throughout the western world, many of the traditional dishes eaten on the day have become increasingly popular. Amy Lo takes a closer look at the significance of these specific dishes. The Story Behind Chinese New Year. There was once a scary beast called Nian, who lived in a village. Nian used to pop up during the Spring Festival every year and destroy the village and eat the villagers, especially children. What’s the story behind Chinese New Year? Chinese New Year has its origins in the tale of the monster Nian, who would attack people and livestock on the eve of the new year. However, people learned the monster was afraid of bright lights, loud noises, and the colour red – which explains why those who celebrate share money and gifts via red
Articles and news, personal stories, interviews with experts.
Photos from events, contest for the best costume, videos from master classes.
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |