Chinese New Year

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Credit for pictures goes to chinapictures.org

For millions of Asians, Chinese New Year is more than one special day. Families spend weeks preparing for the big event - cleaning house, painting doors and windows red and cooking special foods. Celebrations for Chinese New Year (also called the Spring Festival) last a full fifteen days.

People often wonder why the date for Chinese New Year changes each year. The Chinese calendar is a combination of solar/lunar calendar, based on a number of rather complex astronomical calculations, including the longitude of the sun. Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In 2007 the Chinese New Year begins on February 18.

How did the New Year come to be celebrated? According to ancient legend, people were once tormented by a beast called a Nian - a ferocious creature with an extremely large mouth, capable of swallowing several people in a single bite. Relief from the Nian came only when an old ma tricked the beast into disappearing. In reality, New Years festivities probably evolved from a desire to celebrate the end of winter and the fertility and rebirth that come with the spring. Today, New Years is about family reunions and wishing everyone good fortune in the coming year.

The Spring Festival is China’s major traditional holiday and is even celebrated in other parts of Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan. The Chinese government now stipulates people have seven days off to celebrate the New Year.

The first day of the celebrations is for welcoming the gods of the heavens and earth. It is celebrated within the family, with family members gathering on the morning of New Years Day. At these gatherings, unmarried members of the family are given red envelopes by the married members. These envelopes contain “Lucky Money”. Money in even amounts is considered lucky (except the number 4, which sounds similar to the word for “death”). Giving and receiving lucky money signifies good luck for all. Those who give will in turn receive. Most importantly, the first day is a time where family members, in order of seniority, will pay a visit to their oldest and most senior members of their family, usually their parents or grandparents.

On the 2nd day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to dogs and feed them well as it is believed that the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The 3rd and 4th days are for the sons-in laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.

The 5th day is Po Woo. On that day, people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it will bring both parties bad luck.

On the 6th to 10th days, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The 7th day is the day for farmers to display their produce. This day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity and raw fish for success.

On the 8th day the Chinese have another family reunion dinner and at midnight they pray to the God of Heaven.

The 15th day is the Lantern Festival. During this festival, red lanterns can be seen everywhere. This day is traditionally a day for lovers (similar to our Valentine’s Day). The Lantern Festival (the last day of the New Year celebration) falls on March 4.

Other traditional items associated with the New Year are firecrackers (believed to promote a change in energy, deliver new beginnings and provide protection from harm), the color red (red is a sign for good luck), the hanging of the fu (fook) good luck character, and decorating homes with fresh flowers to commemorate the hope a new year and season will bring.

So there you have it. Everything you ever wanted to know about the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday!