The Erhu is one of the most popular Chinese instruments. It can be played as a solo instrument or used as a single instrument in a bigger ensemble. This two-stringed instrument produces beautiful tones, with a fairly high pitch. It is believed to have evolved from previous Chinese instruments around the 10th century. Often heard in the Chinese new year festival is a Chinese violin, erhu (二胡, èrhú) that belongs to the spike fiddle instrument class. Erhu has two strings and a musical bow in the middle. The bow can’t be taken off the instrument unless one of the strings is also taken off. Let's delve into the numbers, particularly the surge in “dragon babies”. In 2024, during the Year of the Dragon, China witnessed a 5.7% year-on-year increase in births, with South Korea seeing a 3% rise. These spikes are noteworthy, considering both nations are grappling with declining birth rates. Similar to Thanksgiving and Christmas, “Chinese New Year is a holiday for people to get together with family members, to celebrate the spring and the start of the new year,” Leung says. More 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? 5. 年花 (New Year Flowers) Symbolism: New Year flowers such as 桃花 (peach blossoms), 富贵竹 (lucky bamboo), and 桔子树 (tangerine trees) represent growth, prosperity, and good luck. Each flower carries its own specific auspicious meaning. Application: These flowers are used to decorate homes and offices during Chinese New Year. For For some Chinese communities observing Lunar New Year, adhering to specific rituals — from early preparations, to visiting etiquette and food choices — help set the tone for the rest of the year. Chinese New Year's Eve (Jan. 28, 2025): 6 Traditions and Activities 1. Putting Up New Year Decorations. Although some people decorate their houses several days before the festival, most people do it on Chinese New Year's Eve. Houses are decorated with red lanterns, red spring couplets, paper cuttings, and New Year's paintings. Lunar New Year rush starts after China lifts COVID travel rules. By Associated Press. Lion dancer makes impact on Chinese Lunar New Year tradition. By Mori Rothman, Michael D. Regan. Happy Lunar Wong adds that many Chinese traditions around the new year, like cleaning or eating sweets, are all about setting the mood for the year ahead. "A lot of it feels about intent. The Chinese zodiac cycle, however, lasts 12 years and uses the orbital plane of the Earth around the Sun to set signs apart. There is also a cycle of natural elements that changes every two years The Chinese New Year is a cultural celebration based on the lunar calendar. Explore the use of music in celebrating the Chinese New Year, including the instruments used and traditional songs. However, the Chinese New Year firecrackers and fireworks that are symbols of Chinese New Year have a different meaning than those for other holidays. It is believed that the loud noises and the flashes of light from both firecrackers and fireworks could scare away evil spirits and usher in good fortune. Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year or Spring Festival, heralds the start of a new zodiac cycle based on the Chinese lunar calendar or the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese zodiac is designed to track the orbital plane around the sun over a 12 year period, symbolised by 12 different animal signs: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake In 2025, the Chinese zodiac will enter the Year of the Wood Snake, which is the 32nd cycle of the 60-year lunar calendar. The snake is the sixth animal in the zodiac, and it has a complex and 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. What is the Lunar New Year? The Lunar New Year — known as the Spring Festival in China, Tet in Vietnam and Seollal in Korea — is a major festival celebrated in several Asian countries. The ancient Chinese associated the colour with harvests, happiness, wealth, and celebrations. No wonder that tangerines and oranges are the primary food symbols of the Chinese New Year! What does 3 oranges mean? Chinese New Year is a time for family, food, and a whole lotta fun. Today is Chinese New Year 2025, heralding in the Year of the Snake – the Wood Snake, to be exact. Lunar New Year isn’t just celebrated in China though, with countries such as Japan, Thailand Chinese Zodiac Ai Generated image Dragon in gold. The Dragon is one of the most powerful and revered signs in the Chinese zodiac. As the only mythical creature in the twelve-year cycle, it symbolizes strength, intelligence, and ambition. The Symbolism of Mandarin Orange in Chinese New Year . Similar to red envelopes, the inclusion of mandarin orange in Chinese New Year is due to its historical significance. As the shape of a small citrus fruit resembles the sun, the mandarin orange in Chinese New Year is a manifestation of the hopeful wish to gain abundance and happiness.
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