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 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. 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. Chinese New Year’s Origin in the Shang Dynasty. Chinese New Year has a history of about 3,500 years. Its exact beginning date is not recorded. Some people believe that Chinese New Year originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people held sacrificial ceremonies in honor of gods and ancestors at the beginning or the end of each year. Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival. Falling on the first day of the lunar calendar, the Chinese New Year has a history of over 4000 years. new year market Chinese New Year Origin: 4000 Years Ago. Chinese New Year can be traced back to 4000 years ago. 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). 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 traditions of Chinese New Year spread to these regions as a result of migration, trade, and cultural exchange over centuries. Vietnam, which was under Chinese rule for over a thousand years, celebrates Tết Nguyên Đán, which shares many customs with Chinese New Year such as ancestor worship, red envelopes, and lucky foods. The history of Chinese New Year is intertwined with ancient agrarian society. Though the date of its exact beginning is not recorded, it probably began during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BC), when people held special ceremonies at the beginning and end of each year in accordance with the seasonal agricultural planting cycle. In this presentation, we will explore the history and customs of Chinese New Year and delve into the reasons why it is such a cherished and revered holiday in Chinese culture. Presentation: 1. Historical Origins: – Chinese New Year has a history dating back thousands of years, with its origins rooted in ancient Chinese mythology and folklore. What is the history of Lunar New Year? The Chinese calendar uses a 60-year cycle known as the sexagenary cycle. The current cycle began in 1984 and ends in 2043. The Tang Dynasty period (618-907 AD) allows a change of paradigm in the Spring Festival celebration and the main function of the festival has also shifted.The festival was no longer perceived as a sacred ritual for the gods—which was the norm established for thousands of years—, and now the New Year was celebrated mainly as entertainment for both nobles and commoners. Chinese New Year is a holiday that marks the start of the new year according to the traditional Chinese calendar. The holiday begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice and concludes during the full moon that occurs 15 days later. ‘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. In San Francisco today, says Leung, people of Asian descent “welcome the New Year and invite visitors from all over the world to participate with the Chinese New Year Parade, Flower Fair, public There are 12 Chinese zodiac signs, in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.Each sign is named after The History of Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year history is truly fascinating, with its origin steeped in myths. The story of Chinese New Year and the monster Nian being the most popular story in the history of Chinese New Year. Regardless of its origin, the history of Chinese New Year is over 3,000 years old. Lunar New Year’s Eve: The Reunion Dinner. At the heart of Lunar New Year celebrations is the reunion dinner on Lunar New Year’s Eve, which falls on January 28, 2025. A traditional reunion dinner has many dishes, including steamed or fried fish, rice cakes and balls, noodles and dumplings. Soon after that, the paper lanterns are incorporated into Buddhism religious practices. It is said that emperor Ming of Han ( ChinaKnowledge.de – An Encyclopaedia on Chinese History)—also known as Liu Zhuang (劉莊) or Han Mingdi Liu Zhuang 漢帝劉莊 (58-75CE) —, saw how Buddhist monks lit the paper lanterns in the temples on the fifteenth day after the new year. This is seen as an early version of the red envelope. By the Tang Dynasty, the practice of giving money to children during Chinese New Year had become the familiar tradition of giving red envelopes. Why Must Red Envelopes Be Red? Red is a color cherished during Chinese New Year, symbolizing celebration, prosperity, and happiness.
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