CHINESE NEW YEAR – Here is the history, traditions, foods, festivals, facts, and animals involved in this celebration.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is an important traditional Chinese holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world. It marks the beginning of the lunar New Year and is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and traditions.
TRADITION
The holiday usually begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar, which falls between January 21st and February 20th in the Gregorian calendar. However, the date varies depending on the lunar cycle.
It is a time for family reunions, where people travel long distances to be together with their loved ones. It’s a time to honor ancestors, pay respects to elders, and strengthen family bonds.
Another important tradition is the giving of red envelopes, or “hongbao,” containing money, to children and unmarried adults. It’s a gesture of good wishes for the New Year and is believed to bring prosperity and happiness.
HISTORY
The history of this event dates back thousands of years. One of the earliest origins of Chinese New Year can be traced back to the legend of Nian, a mythical beast that would appear from its hiding place every New Year’s Eve to devour crops, livestock, and even villagers.
People would hang red lanterns, set off firecrackers, and make loud noises to ward off the creature away. These traditions eventually became integral parts of the Chinese celebrations.
ANIMALS
Each Chinese New Year is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animals, which rotate in a twelve-year cycle: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
FOODS
Food also plays an important role in Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish carrying symbolic meanings of prosperity, good fortune, and happiness.
Here are some foods we can serve during the holiday:
- Fish
- Dumplings
- Spring rolls
- Noodles
- Sweet rice cake
- Tangerines
- Salad