Chinese New Year Celebration

About Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the largest and most important traditional holiday celebrated not only in China but also throughout much of Southeast Asia, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and other nations with a significant Chinese population. Celebrations begin on the first day of the first lunar month, typically falling sometime in late January through mid-February. Traditional festivities last fifteen days, with each day dedicated to different rituals and events. According to legend, the loud noises and red colors prominent in these festivities were used to scare away the nian, a man-eating beast that came down from the mountains of China every twelve months. By participating in the new year celebrations, villagers ensured good fortune, prosperity, and safety for the year.

Chinese New Year Celebration Traditions

Chinese New Year has been celebrated for centuries, and it has become a highly ritualistic, detailed event honoring culture and family. In China and other nations with a large Chinese population, the period around Chinese New Year is one of heavy travel to family reunions, formal dinners, and parties. Public celebrations include parades, fireworks, and local festivals. Before the new year festivities begin, however, intense housecleaning is done to prepare for the holiday and to sweep out the old year’s bad luck and evil spirits, making way for good fortune in the new year.

During the fifteen days of celebrating, each day has specific familial obligations such as which relatives will visit whom to show honor and respect. Generally speaking, the eldest relatives host parties first in their role as leaders and elders. Other days of the celebration are dedicated to honoring the recently deceased as well as ancient ancestors. The last day of the holiday is the Lantern Festival, when children of the community carry traditional paper lanterns in a tremendous parade that also includes music, dancing, and the fabled dragon dance.

Other traditions associated with Chinese New Year include:

Red is a lucky color.

• Giving red envelopes filled with money to family members. Red is a lucky color and the denominations of the money are carefully coordinated to add up to lucky numbers.
• Wearing red clothing or purchasing new clothing for the new year.
• Decorating with good luck symbols for fortune and prosperity. Blooming plants and flowers are important party decorations for Chinese New Year events because they symbolize the rebirth and growth of life. Bamboo is especially prized because it represents unity and compatibility.
• Enjoying traditional holiday foods including uncut noodles to symbolize long life. Other dishes include chicken, fish, dumplings, and steamed rice pudding, as well as candied fruit to represent sweetness and prosperity. Oranges and tangerines are popular favorites.

Planning Your Own Chinese New Year Party

Anyone can plan a party to celebrate the Chinese New Year, and festivities are especially popular for families and communities with a Chinese or Asian heritage. The parties can also be a fun way to enjoy the late winter season and to learn more about different cultures.

To plan your own Chinese New Year celebration, consider:

• Serving traditional foods, teas, and Chinese delicacies. Fortune cookies and unique Chinese dishes can create a memorable party menu.
• Decorating with red paper lanterns and Chinese characters. Symbols for prosperity, luck, and happiness are popular choices. Other decorations may be coordinated with the appropriate animal of the Chinese zodiac.
• Enjoying party activities that share Chinese culture, such as learning how to write names in Chinese, cooking Chinese food, or learning traditional dances.
• Using fireworks to ring in the Chinese New Year and scare away evil spirits that may be lurking nearby. Red fireworks are considered especially lucky.

There are many ways to enjoy a Chinese New Year celebration with family and friends while honoring the rich culture and heritage that makes this festival so popular. From delicious menus to vibrant red decorations, it is easy to plan a Chinese New Year party regardless of your cultural heritage.