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. The song's title – 'Gong Xi Gong Xi' – is also a well-known greeting during Chinese New Year. The lyrics of the song also celebrate the coming of spring, which also symbolizes bringing the hope for the coming year. So the song has been a big hit during Chinese New Year and has remained an integral part of the holiday music scene since the What are the animals of the zodiac? Each year honors an animal based on the Chinese zodiac. The circle of 12 animals — the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig — measure the cycles of time. Japan used to celebrate Lunar New Year according to the traditional lunar calendar. However, during the Meiji Era (1868–1912), the Japanese government adopted the Gregorian calendar with New Year beginning on January 1. Although Chinese New Year isn't a holiday in Japan, celebration activities still can be seen in the Chinatowns. Also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, this celebration, unique and full of symbolism, is characterized by a series of traditions. CHINESE ZODIAC. In this culture, each year is represented by a different animal, corresponding to the Chinese zodiac. If 2023 was marked by the rabbit, this new year will have a new protagonist: The Dragon. The major celebrations are held on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. In China, millions travel - sometimes thousands of miles - to celebrate with their families. Getty Images A primary school assembly framework for KS1, KS2 and P1 - P7 celebrating Lunar New (also known as Chinese New Year). Includes video, suggestions for songs, optional words for reflection and prayer. 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 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. For Chinese people, Lunar New Year is the Spring Festival, and it’s celebrated widely in Taiwan and across Southeast Asia in countries with large Chinese populations, such as Singapore and Malaysia. 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 A Chinese dragon. Chinese New Year Dragon Dances. Dragon dances are an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Along with lion dances, they are often the highlight of Chinese New Year parades. From Chinese New Year's Day to the Lantern Festival, dragon dances can be seen in many places in China and Chinatowns around the world. They Red envelopes and New Year's Eve feasts will be an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations as people get ready to welcome in the Year of the Rabbit 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 All auspicious things aside, there are certain taboos that must be avoided during Chinese New Year: 1. No cleaning! Any type of “spring cleaning” must take place before the new year and never during the actual holiday. This allows the cleaned space to be filled with the new blessings and fortunes of the new year. What to do during Chinese New Year in KL, Malaysia. You can stroll around town as the city will be rid of the traffic and crowds; Chinatown (Petaling Street) would be a great place to explore ; Catch a lion or dragon dance at various places around the city and smaller towns; Visit a Chinese New Year Open House (check with the newspapers on Every Chinese New Year, the Thean Hou Temple in Kuala Lumpur comes alive as thousands of red lanterns are lit to celebrate the holiday. If you’re in the city with your family during this festive occasion, visiting the Thean Hou Temple is one of the best ways to celebrate, with free performances of lion and dragon dances to watch. Many popular Chinese New Year songs were sung on the stage of Chunwan, which is why they are so popular. Below we list seven songs being played the most during the Chinese New Year holiday. 1. Huan Le Zhong Guo Nian (欢乐中国年 Happy Chinese New Year) A primary school assembly framework for KS1, KS2 and P1 - P7 celebrating Lunar New (also known as Chinese New Year). Includes video, suggestions for songs, optional words for reflection and prayer. Honoring the dead is a Chinese New Year's tradition that's kept to the word. Many Chinese people visit ancestors' graves on the day before the Chinese New Year's day, offer sacrifices to ancestors before the reunion dinner (to show that they are letting their ancestors "eat" first), and add an extra glass and place it at the dinner table on New Year's eve.
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