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? 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) During the Chinese New Year, there are rich and colorful customs, strong New Year atmosphere and family affection, embodying the essence of traditional Chinese culture. Chinese New Year has a long history of nearly four thousand years and has formed some relatively fixed customs and traditions in its inheritance and development. 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 There are more Chinese New Year traditions and customs, such as wearing new clothes, staying up late on Chinese New Year's Eve, watching the Spring Festival Gala, etc. How Long Is Chinese New Year Celebrations? Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. The Chinese New Year is a festival that celebrates the beginning of the new year in China. The celebration usually starts around late January or early February, and lasts 15 days. 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. Chinese New Year celebration is not exclusive to immediate family members, but among all relatives and friends. Married couples should visit the wife’s parents on the second day of the New Year. During the following days, people visit different relatives, bringing gifts and red envelopes to express care, love, and good wishes. Although customs to celebrate the Chinese New Year differ from a province to another, there are some common ones. 1. Do Spring Festival Shopping. There is a long history of the Chinese New Year, so there is also a wide variety of customs throughout the country, each with its own characteristics from north to south. The customs of Chinese New Year are endowed with heavy symbolic significance, and have turned into unique Chinese cultural symbols to convey people’s feelings and an understanding of happiness. Before Chinese New 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. In short, the Chinese New Year is the most crucial traditional festival for Chinese to get reunited from different cities and even countries. What are the Customs of the Chinese New Year? There are different traditions in China during the lunar New Year. These traditions mark the uniqueness of the New Year’s Day. Main customs, traditions and activites of Chinese New year (Spring Festival): pasting spring couplets, setting off firecrackers, gathering for the reunion dinner, staying up on New Year's Eve, giving New Year's greetings, giving lucky money etc. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is one of the most significant holidays in Chinese culture and is celebrated by millions across Asia and the world. Unlike the Gregorian calendar New Year, Chinese New Year follows the lunar calendar, meaning it falls on a different date each year, usually between January 21 The Chinese New Year is an important time to 拜年 (bàinián, to pay a new year call), so it is common practice to visit relatives and exchange auspicious greetings and Chinese gifts, including the ever-popular lucky red envelopes filled with Chinese currency. Devoted Buddhist and Daoist practitioners also often visit local temples to welcome The Basics. Much like the celebration of the New Year in the Western world, Chinese New Year is all about the hopeful spirit of renewal. The holiday’s traditions, symbols and rituals are all meant to wipe the slate clean and prepare for prosperity, good luck and happiness in the new year. Chinese New Year Customs in the Year of the Snake. Chinese New Year (春节, chūn jié) will begin on January 29, 2025, and celebrations will last until the Lantern Festival (元宵节, yuán xiāo jié) on February 13. Here are some customs to look forward to: DON’T borrow money, because it’s a sign that you will need money and be in debt in the new year.; DON’T give any unlucky gifts!Clocks or watches, knives or other sharp objects, shoes/slippers, mirrors, scented candles, cut flowers, and anything in a set of four (an unlucky number in Chinese culture) should never be given as gifts! When does Chinese New Year start? Chinese New Year in 2025 starts on Wednesday, Jan. 29. When does Chinese New Year end? Chinese New Year in 2025 lasts until the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. Lunar New Year may be called different names in different East Asian countries and communities, but it is celebrated on the same date (and surrounding days) with similar celebrations. China. In China, Lunar New Year is known as Chinese New Year or in Chinese 'Spring Festival' (Chunjie). The celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, beginning
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