This is also why hongbao amounts during Chinese New Year and weddings alike are carefully calibrated and recorded so as to ensure that reciprocity is harmonised, and no one is “spoiling the 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. Sydney's Chinese New Year Festival includes dragon boat races, lantern displays, and cultural events. Fun Facts. Here are some fun and lesser-known facts about Chinese New Year that might surprise you. The world's largest human migration occurs during Chinese New Year as millions travel home to be with family. 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 Chinese New Year has its origins in the tale of the monster Nian, who would attack people and livestock on the eve of the new year. However, people learned the monster was afraid of bright lights, loud noises, and the colour red – which explains why those who celebrate share money and gifts via red envelopes. Why Do Chinese Do Dragon and Lion Dances at Chinese New Year? Dragon dances and lion dances are traditional performances for joyous festivals and big occasions to enhance festive atmosphere . It is traditionally believed that performing dragon or lion dances (during the Spring Festival) is a way to pray for good luck and drive away evil spirits . How long are the Chinese New Year festivities? Chinese New Year in 2025 falls on January 29 and ends with the Lantern Festival on Feb. 12. Celebrations last up to 16 days; the Chinese public 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, like Singapore and Malaysia. Chinese New Year starts a new animal’s zodiac year. In China, each lunar cycle has 60 years and 12 years is regarded as a small cycle. Each of the 12 years is defined by an animal sign: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. 2025 is the Year of the Snake and 2026 is the Year of the Horse. Why Teach Chinese New Year: Exploring the Cultural Significance and Educational Benefits. Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese holidays. It is a time for families to reunite, celebrate, and usher in a new year filled with good fortune and prosperity. Killing should be avoided from the 1st to 15th of the Lunar New Year as blood is considered an ill omen, which will cause misfortunes such as a knife wound, or a bloody disaster. People usually kill chickens, ducks, pigs, and fish before Chinese New Year or on Chinese New Year's Eve. A lot has been written about traditional foods for Chinese New Year celebrations. The foods detailed in the plethora of online articles on the topic include the symbolic nature of these traditional foods. One of my favorite things to eat, at any time of the year, are dumplings. At Chinese New Year, dumplings symbolize money or wealth. Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year) is celebrated for sixteen days (from Chinese New Year's Eve to Chinese Lantern Festival). The preparations start half a month before Chinese New Year's Eve. Many celebration activities for this period are traditional customs, but some are quite new Chinese New Year 2025 falls on January 29th, 2025. For centuries now, Chinese New Year has been accompanied by loud bangs and pops as people lit firecrackers to ward off evil spirits and bring luck for the upcoming year. The use of firecrackers dates back thousands of years ago when they were first invented by ancient Chinese alchemists during their attempts to create an elixir for immortality. Click to see more about Chinese New Year date. 5. Why Do the Chinese Call Chinese New Year 'Spring Festival'? Chinese New Year always falls within half a month of 'Start of Spring' (beginning February 4), the first of the 24 solar terms of China's traditional solar calendar. Why do people eat sticky cake during Chinese New Year? Called nian gao by the Chinese and tikoy by Filipinos, the dish is symbolic of prosperity and celebration. The Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival. It is the biggest and most important festival in China and East Asian communities around the world. Now, let us know the do's and don'ts Here are 15 interesting facts about Chinese New Year. 1. Chinese New Year is also called "Spring Festival". Though in winter, Chinese call their New Year holidays 'Spring Festival' (春节 chūnjié /chwnn-jyeah/), because 'Start of Spring' (3 February) is the first of the terms in the traditional solar calendar. Eating fish during Chinese New Year is believed to bring surplus and abundance in the coming year. The Chinese word for fish, yu, sounds similar to the word for surplus, making it a popular choice for the celebration. Chinese New Year Cake, also known as Nian Gao or Lunar New Year Cake, is a traditional Chinese delicacy that holds a special place in the celebrations of the Lunar New Year. It is a type of steamed rice cake with a soft and chewy texture, typically made from glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water.
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