Learn about the traditions and customs of Chinese New Year, from cleaning the house to setting off fireworks. Discover the meanings and origins of dumplings, couplets, door gods, and more. 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. 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 In this article, we will explore the top 15 Chinese New Year traditions and customs that reflect the deep-rooted cultural significance of this festive season. Each tradition carries its own symbolism, from cleansing away the old to welcoming the new with joy and unity. 1. Spring Cleaning (Sweeping Away Bad Luck) 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 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. Chinese New Year traditions regarding greeting are not like kissing, embrace, and handshaking in western countries. In the past, the first thing for a Chinese New Year visit started with kowtowing to the elders. No matter how old you are, if there is someone older than you, you need to kneel down to show respect and grateful feeling to the elders. 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 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. 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. Among other Chinese New Year traditions is the thorough cleaning of one’s home to rid the resident of any lingering bad luck. Some people prepare and enjoy special foods on certain days during the celebrations. Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year celebration usually lasts 15 days, from New Year's Eve to the 15th day of the Chinese New Year—the Lantern Festival.In 2025, the celebration starts on Jan. 28th and ends on Feb. 12th. The Chinese New Year, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar, is celebrated worldwide with traditions promoting good luck and avoid bad fortune. Key practices include thorough cleaning before 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. 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. Out of all the Chinese New Year customs and traditions, this one might be a young person’s favorite. Every new year, adults give children red envelopes containing paper money and/or coins. 7. Sending Chinese New Year Wishes. During Chinese New Year, Chinese people will greet each other with pleasant words like: 'Xin nian kuai le' which means 'Happy New Year' (simplified Chinese: 新年快乐). See more Chinese New Year Greetings and Wishes. 8. Watching the New Year TV Gala This comparison reveals how Chinese New Year, while rooted in shared traditions, adapts and evolves as it travels across borders, reflecting the beautiful diversity of cultures that celebrate it. Each country adds its own unique touch, creating a vibrant tapestry of customs and traditions that enrich the global celebration of this joyous occasion. Lunar New Year marks the beginning of a new year on China's traditional lunisolar calendar. It is a time for family gatherings. It is the most important festival in China (where it is known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival), and it is also widely celebrated in South Korea (where it is known as Seollal), in Vietnam (as Tet), as well as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and other countries Chinese New Year (also called Spring Festival or Lunar New Year) is the most solemn traditional festival of the Chinese nation.The main content of Chinese New Year traditions is to remove the old and build new ones, worship the gods and ancestors, pray for blessings and drive off disasters.
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