Even though there are many beliefs and amazing stories and legends about the beginning of the Chinese New Year and its festivity, the Chinese are celebrating CNY because of the two major reasons: to rejoice the year of hard labor, relax with the family and have a delightful rest. The Chinese people consider a good beginning of the coming year will guide to the lucky year. Chinese habitually commemorate the beginning of a new year with their traditional ways of celebration, and wished for their success and profits in different vocation for the incoming year.
Here are the Chinese ways of wishing luck and a wealthy coming year:
Here are the Chinese ways of wishing luck and a wealthy coming year:
1. Festival for Family
The Chinese believe in enjoying family time and being together. Wherever they may be, each member of the family must come home to enjoy themselves with each and everyone. The Chinese New Year's Eve reunion dinner is said to be the most significant meal or feast of the year. Huge families of numerous generations sit at round tables and take pleasure of their time and food together.
The Chinese believe in enjoying family time and being together. Wherever they may be, each member of the family must come home to enjoy themselves with each and everyone. The Chinese New Year's Eve reunion dinner is said to be the most significant meal or feast of the year. Huge families of numerous generations sit at round tables and take pleasure of their time and food together.
2. Decorations of buildings, streets and houses with the Lucky Red items
It is believed that every building, street, and houses where CNY is remembered must be decorated with something that is red. Red is the major color for the festivity, as it is thought to be a positive color. Red lanterns are seen hanging in the streets; red couplets or sonnets are stick on doors; official buildings or banks are ornamented with red New Year photos or prints describing prosperity. Most of the ornaments are done traditionally on the eve of Chinese New Year. Since 2017 is the rooster year, ornaments related to roosters are commonly seen. There are New Year paintings of roosters on and red rooster dolls for the children.
It is believed that every building, street, and houses where CNY is remembered must be decorated with something that is red. Red is the major color for the festivity, as it is thought to be a positive color. Red lanterns are seen hanging in the streets; red couplets or sonnets are stick on doors; official buildings or banks are ornamented with red New Year photos or prints describing prosperity. Most of the ornaments are done traditionally on the eve of Chinese New Year. Since 2017 is the rooster year, ornaments related to roosters are commonly seen. There are New Year paintings of roosters on and red rooster dolls for the children.
3. Ethnic activities to welcome Chinese New Year
Many ethnic or cultural activities are set during the festivity. Small towns and rural areas keep more of the traditional celebrations when compared to the cities. Activities like the setting off firecrackers, dragon dances and ancestor worship. Placing of fireworks is very usually during the Spring Festival period throughout China.
While at the temple fairs in numerous Chinese city's conventional presentation, such as lion dances, imperial performances, and dragon dances can be seen; like the emperor's wedding. A grand variety of the usual Chinese stuff is offered here, and those bizarre Chinese snacks that seldom seen for the rest of the coming year. Beijing's temple festivity is held in the parks from the primary day of the lunar day up to the Lantern Festivity. At North China, the people perform different edition of Rice Sprout Song, the habitual Chinese dance presented by a crowd of vividly-dressed men and women.
Many ethnic or cultural activities are set during the festivity. Small towns and rural areas keep more of the traditional celebrations when compared to the cities. Activities like the setting off firecrackers, dragon dances and ancestor worship. Placing of fireworks is very usually during the Spring Festival period throughout China.
While at the temple fairs in numerous Chinese city's conventional presentation, such as lion dances, imperial performances, and dragon dances can be seen; like the emperor's wedding. A grand variety of the usual Chinese stuff is offered here, and those bizarre Chinese snacks that seldom seen for the rest of the coming year. Beijing's temple festivity is held in the parks from the primary day of the lunar day up to the Lantern Festivity. At North China, the people perform different edition of Rice Sprout Song, the habitual Chinese dance presented by a crowd of vividly-dressed men and women.
4. Handing out red envelopes to distribute well wishes
Just like Christmas, Chinese people are exchanging gifts when it is Spring Festival. The usual gifts then are Red Envelopes that have money inside, and are handed out to the kids and seniors; on the other hand, it is not a tradition to give red envelopes to adults that are working except for their generous employers. Red envelopes are being used in the hope of passing on good luck to the receivers.
Just like Christmas, Chinese people are exchanging gifts when it is Spring Festival. The usual gifts then are Red Envelopes that have money inside, and are handed out to the kids and seniors; on the other hand, it is not a tradition to give red envelopes to adults that are working except for their generous employers. Red envelopes are being used in the hope of passing on good luck to the receivers.
5. Eating of lucky foods
There are certain foods that are believed to be eaten during Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner due to its symbolic meanings and it is usually based on their appearances and names. Fish is a must food for Chinese New Year. The fish Chinese word sounds like a word for surplus. Consuming of fish is alleged to bring good luck and a surplus of money in the coming year. Chinese New Year foods are dumplings, glutinous rice cakes, spring rolls, and sweet rice balls.
There are certain foods that are believed to be eaten during Chinese New Year’s Eve dinner due to its symbolic meanings and it is usually based on their appearances and names. Fish is a must food for Chinese New Year. The fish Chinese word sounds like a word for surplus. Consuming of fish is alleged to bring good luck and a surplus of money in the coming year. Chinese New Year foods are dumplings, glutinous rice cakes, spring rolls, and sweet rice balls.
6. Setting-off firecrackers
It has been the long tradition for Chinese to set-off firecrackers on the eve of the New Year or when the clock strikes midnight. This tradition came from their ancestors and passed it on. The set-off firecrackers will start with a string of tiny firecrackers, then, followed by 3 big firecrackers that symbolize the sounding out of the past year, while sounding in the coming New Year. The noisier the 3 firecrackers, the luckier it is and the better and it will bring more success in your business of the coming year.
It has been the long tradition for Chinese to set-off firecrackers on the eve of the New Year or when the clock strikes midnight. This tradition came from their ancestors and passed it on. The set-off firecrackers will start with a string of tiny firecrackers, then, followed by 3 big firecrackers that symbolize the sounding out of the past year, while sounding in the coming New Year. The noisier the 3 firecrackers, the luckier it is and the better and it will bring more success in your business of the coming year.
7. Praying in the Temple to receive the year-long blessing
Praying in the Temple during Chinese New Year is the most blessed activity, and believed to lead you to a smooth year ahead. In Shanghai, thousands flock to the city's biggest temple, Longhua Temple, to pray for good fortune.
Praying in the Temple during Chinese New Year is the most blessed activity, and believed to lead you to a smooth year ahead. In Shanghai, thousands flock to the city's biggest temple, Longhua Temple, to pray for good fortune.