Unpacking the Traditions and Customs of Chinese New Year 2018
Are you looking for an exciting celebration to ring in the new year? Look no further than the Chinese New Year! The festivities will commence on February 16, 2018, marking the beginning of the year of the Dog.
But what exactly is the Chinese New Year? Known as the Spring Festival in China, it is a traditional holiday celebrated by billions of people around the world. It's a time for family gatherings, delicious food, and fireworks!
You may be wondering, why is there a different animal associated with each year? Well, according to the Chinese zodiac, there are 12 animals that represent each year in a repeating cycle.
As with any major holiday, food plays a significant role in the Chinese New Year celebration. One popular dish is dumplings, which symbolize wealth and prosperity. Another traditional food is fish, which represents abundance and good luck. And don't forget about the sweet rice cakes, known as nian gao, which translate to higher year in Mandarin.
The Chinese New Year also has unique cultural practices, such as decorating with red lanterns and giving red envelopes filled with money to children. Red is a symbolic color, representing good fortune and happiness.
Curious about how the holiday is celebrated in China? Millions of people travel to their hometowns to reunite with family and participate in rituals such as setting off firecrackers to ward off evil spirits. There are also stunning parades with lion and dragon dances that take place in major cities like Beijing and Hong Kong.
Did you know that the Chinese New Year is the largest migration of people in the world? It's estimated that over 390 million people will travel during the holiday season, making it a challenging time to secure transportation and accommodations.
For those who can't make it to China to witness the festivities firsthand, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate in your own community. Many cities host parades and cultural events, featuring dance performances, traditional costumes, and, of course, plenty of delicious food.
If you're looking for a way to brush up on your Chinese New Year history, consider visiting a museum or cultural center with exhibits showcasing the holiday's traditions and customs.
In conclusion, the Chinese New Year is a time-honored celebration with rich cultural significance. Whether you're feasting with family, watching a parade, or simply indulging in some dumplings, there's no better way to start the year off on a high note. Happy Year of the Dog!
"What Is Chinese New Year 2018" ~ bbaz
Introduction
Chinese New Year is one of the most important festivals celebrated in China and it falls on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. It is also known as Spring Festival, which lasts for fifteen days. This year, Chinese New Year will be celebrated on February 16th. Undoubtedly, holidays are always the most exciting time of the year, but understanding the history and traditions behind them makes them even more enjoyable.History
Based on legends, Chinese New Year has more than 4,000 years of history. The accounts describe how an ancient monster would come out on New Year's Eve to terrorize the people of China, causing destruction and chaos. However, the villagers realized that the monster was afraid of bright colors, loud noises, and fire. Therefore, they decided to decorate their houses with red paper cutouts, set off firecrackers, and hang red lanterns to ward off the monster.Celebrations
The celebration of Chinese New Year starts on New Year's Eve, where families get together for a dinner gathering. They usually serve traditional dishes like dumplings, fish, spring rolls, and rice cakes. Also, the family will clean their house thoroughly before New Year's Eve to sweep away any bad luck from the past year and make room for new and good luck in the coming year.On New Year's Day, kids receive red envelopes called hongbao that contain money as a symbol of good fortune. The rest of the fifteen days of the festival are filled with various celebrations and events, including dragon and lion dance performances, fireworks display, temple fairs, and many more.Traditions
Red symbolizes happiness and prosperity in Chinese culture. Therefore, you'll find a lot of decorations that are red during Chinese New Year. Some of the traditional decorations are red couplets and banners, red lanterns, flowers like peach blossoms and chrysanthemum, and more.Another tradition is wearing new clothes on New Year's Day as it signifies a fresh start and good luck. Also, you need to avoid wearing black and white since these colors symbolize mourning and bad luck.Zodiac Sign
Each Chinese zodiac animal has its characteristics and is related to specific years. This year is the year of the dog which is considered to be loyal and sincere. People born in the year of the dog tend to be honest, friendly, and helpful. Typical dog traits are loyalty and trustworthiness.Conclusion
Chinese New Year is an exciting and thrilling festival that is full of traditions, history, and culture. The festivities bring families and communities together, providing an opportunity to enjoy the welcoming atmosphere and reflect on the past, while simultaneously preparing for the year ahead.If you are planning to visit China during this time, you'll have a chance to see the various stunning decorations across the cities, eat traditional cuisine, and join the locals in their celebrations. It's a joyful experience that should be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their background or beliefs. Happy Chinese New Year!Comparison between Chinese New Year 2018 and Western New Year
Introduction
The world celebrates the coming of a new year in various ways. While western countries use the Gregorian calendar, China follows the lunar calendar, which has been in use for over 3,000 years. Chinese New Year for the year 2018 began on February 16th and will end on March 17th. This article aims to compare the differences between Chinese New Year and Western New Year.History and Origin
Chinese New Year or Spring Festival has its roots from imperial China. According to legend, an evil creature called Nian would attack villages at the turn of every new year. This led to the invention of red decorations, firecrackers, and lanterns that are still used today during the celebrations. In contrast, Western New Year celebrations date back to 45 BC, when Julius Caesar introduced the Gregorian calendar.Observance
Chinese New Year festivities begin with a reunion dinner with family members on the night of New Year's Eve. A feast is prepared, and it is customary to eat fish as it symbolizes prosperity. In contrast, Western New Year observances involve fireworks, countdowns, and parties.Duration
Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration, while Western New Year celebrations typically last for one day.Costume
Red is an auspicious color in Chinese culture and is often worn during Chinese New Year. Many people also don the traditional Qipao dress, while men wear Tang suits. In contrast, Western New Year attire is not specific to any color or style.Festivities
During the Chinese New Year festival, people decorate their homes with red paper cutouts, couplets, and lanterns. Activities such as dragon and lion dances, temple fairs, and parades are also popular. Western New Year celebrations mainly involve fireworks, champagne toasts, and loud music.Gift-Giving
The exchange of red envelopes containing money is one of the most significant Chinese New Year traditions. It is a way to share good luck and prosperity with loved ones. In contrast, Western New Year celebrations do not usually have gift-giving traditions.Dining
Chinese New Year feasts often include fish, dumplings, rice cakes, and glutinous rice balls. These foods symbolize good fortune and success. In contrast, Western New Year food is often associated with snacks and finger foods.Beliefs and Superstitions
Chinese New Year traditions involve many beliefs and superstitions such as avoiding sweeping the floor during the first few days as it is believed that it will sweep away good luck. In Western New Year, there are no such customs or superstitions.Conclusion
In conclusion, while both Chinese New Year and Western New Year celebrate the coming of a new year, they differ in terms of their history, origins, observances, duration, costumes, festivities, and even beliefs and superstitions. Both are fascinating and unique in their own way and can be enjoyed by people worldwide, no matter what their backgrounds may be.What Is Chinese New Year 2018
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival for Chinese people worldwide. The 2018 Chinese New Year begins on February 16th and lasts until March 2nd, marking the transition from the Year of the Rooster to the Year of the Dog.
The Origin of Chinese New Year
The origins of Chinese New Year can be traced back thousands of years to ancient times. The festival has many myths and legends associated with it, but the most popular one tells the story of a monster called Nian, who would eat villagers and their livestock on New Year's Eve. It was discovered that Nian feared loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, prompting the tradition of lighting firecrackers, hanging lanterns, and putting up red decorations during the festival.
Preparation for Chinese New Year
Preparations for Chinese New Year begin weeks in advance, as families clean their homes from top to bottom to sweep away any bad luck from the past year. They then decorate their homes with red banners, couplets, and posters, representing wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Families also shop for new clothes and shoes to wear on New Year's Day to symbolize a fresh start, and stock up on food and gifts for family and friends.
Chinese New Year Eve
Chinese New Year Eve is a time for families to gather together for a reunion dinner, which is the most important meal of the year. The meal usually includes fish, dumplings, and other traditional dishes, and symbolizes unity and prosperity. After dinner, families typically stay up late to watch a TV show called the Gala, and exchange red envelopes (or hongbao) filled with money - a gesture of good luck and fortune for the upcoming year.
Chinese New Year Celebrations
Chinese New Year celebrations usually last for fifteen days, during which time people continue to visit family and friends, attend temple fairs, and watch colorful parades and dragon dances. The famous Lantern Festival marks the end of the festival, during which thousands of lanterns are lit and released into the sky as a symbol of hope and good luck.
Dos and Don'ts During Chinese New Year
There are many rules and superstitions associated with Chinese New Year. Here are some dos and don'ts to observe:
- Do wear red clothing for good luck.
- Don't wash your hair on New Year's Day, as it's believed you'll wash away good luck from the year.
- Do eat fish, which symbolizes prosperity.
- Don't sweep the floor, as it's believed you'll sweep away good luck.
- Do give red envelopes to children and unmarried adults for good luck.
- Don't use negative or unlucky words during the festival.
The Importance of Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is not just a holiday, but a time for reflection, renewal, and reunion with family and friends. It's an opportunity to honor Chinese traditions and culture, and to celebrate unity, happiness, and good fortune.
Conclusion
Understanding Chinese New Year is a great way to appreciate and respect the customs and culture of Chinese people worldwide. Whether you're in China or celebrating abroad, take part in the festivities, embrace the meaning behind the traditions, and wish everyone a happy, healthy, and prosperous Year of the Dog!
What Is Chinese New Year 2018?
As we welcome the year 2018, Chinese people from all over the world are also preparing to celebrate the biggest holiday of their culture - the Chinese New Year. Commonly known as the Spring Festival in China, it is a time when families reunite, people offer prayers to their deities, and fireworks light up the sky.
The Chinese New Year falls on a different date every year, based on the traditional lunar calendar. In 2018, it will be celebrated on February 16, marking the beginning of the Year of the Dog. According to the Chinese zodiac, the dog is an animal that is friendly, loyal, and honest.
Many people believe that the Chinese New Year celebrations originated from the legend of Nian, a ferocious beast that terrorized people and animals during the lunar new year. The villagers eventually discovered that the beast was afraid of red and loud noises, leading them to hang red lanterns and set off firecrackers to scare it away. Since then, these traditions became a part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
One of the most important traditions during the Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner, where families gather to share a feast and catch up with each other. It is also customary to clean the house before the new year, as a way to sweep away any bad luck from the past year and make room for good fortune.
To wish each other good luck and prosperity, people exchange red envelopes containing money or gifts. Red is considered a lucky color in Chinese culture, and giving red envelopes is believed to bring good fortune to both the giver and the receiver.
Another common practice during the Chinese New Year is to decorate the house with auspicious symbols, such as spring couplets, banners, and paper cutouts. These decorations often feature Chinese characters that represent good luck and happiness.
The Chinese New Year celebrations usually last for 15 days, with each day having its own significance. For example, the fifth day is known as the day of the god of wealth, and people often pray or perform rituals to attract prosperity and success.
On the fifteenth day of the new year, known as the Lantern Festival, people light up colorful lanterns and eat tangyuan, a type of glutinous rice dumpling. It is also a time when people watch lion and dragon dances, street performances, and participate in other cultural activities.
The Chinese New Year is not just celebrated in China, but also in other parts of the world with significant Chinese communities, such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and many others. In fact, it is one of the biggest annual human migrations in the world, as millions of people travel to be with their families during this holiday season.
In conclusion, the Chinese New Year is a time of joy, family, and cultural heritage. It is a reminder to cherish our loved ones and appreciate the traditions that connect us to our past. May the Year of the Dog bring you happiness, health, and prosperity!
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the Chinese New Year 2018. We hope you have gained a better understanding of this colorful and vibrant celebration. From all of us, we wish you a happy new year!
What Is Chinese New Year 2018?
1. When is Chinese New Year 2018?
Chinese New Year 2018 falls on February 16th according to the lunar calendar. This day marks the beginning of the Year of the Dog.
2. What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in China. It is a time for family reunions, festivities, and symbolizes the start of a new year. The celebration lasts for 15 days in total.
3. How is Chinese New Year celebrated?
The celebration of Chinese New Year includes a wide range of traditional customs and activities. Famous traditions include decorating homes with red lanterns and couplets, eating dumplings and other lucky foods, offering prayers to ancestors, giving red envelopes filled with money to children, lighting fireworks, and watching traditional lion and dragon dances.
4. What does the Year of the Dog mean?
The Year of the Dog in Chinese zodiac symbolizes loyalty and honesty, which are highly appreciated qualities in Chinese culture. People born in the Year of the Dog are believed to be trustworthy, responsible, and brave. This year is expected to be a good year for friendship, romance, and building relationships.
5. Can non-Chinese people participate in Chinese New Year?
Absolutely! Chinese New Year is a time for everyone to celebrate and enjoy. Non-Chinese people are more than welcome to participate in the festivities and learn about Chinese traditions and culture.