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Lunar New Year: How Chinese People Prepare for New Beginnings

 
Lunar New Year, often called the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, is an annual fifteen day holiday celebrated in China and Chinese communities around the world. It begins with a new moon, which occurs between January 21st and February 20th, according to the Gregorian calendar.

The celebration lasts until the next full moon, and implies spending time with family and friends, organizing, feasting and fireworks, parties and parades.

This year’s celebration will begin on February 10th.

But do you know how it all started and why this event is so important? There are many legends about the origin of the Chinese New Year.

One of the most famous says that ages ago, a monster called Nyan (“Year”) attacked the villagers at the beginning of each year.

Then the citizens realized that the monster was afraid of loud noises, fire and the color red. They used these things to chase the beast away.

Since then, it has become a tradition for Chinese people to decorate their homes with lights, set off fireworks and use the color red wherever possible.

New Year in China is a great chance to spend time with loved ones and remember those who passed away. It’s time to take a break and get ready to achieve new goals.

Let’s get acquainted with the main traditions of the Chinese New Year. There is no specific “program” for lunar New Year celebrations. However, on some days, certain rituals or celebrations are held.

Before the New Year, Chinese houses are thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning symbolizes the deliverance from last year’s bad luck.

The weeks leading up to the Chinese New Year are also a time in China when you can see fresh red paint on house doors, decorations carved from red paper and red lanterns. Red is a symbol of joy and good luck in Chinese culture.

One of the traditional ways to start celebrating the Lunar New Year is the reunion dinner, when families gather to celebrate the hopes of the New Year together.

Some of the most common celebrations during the Lunar New Year include parties, fireworks and the lion dance, familiar to a wide audience.

In the early days of the Lunar New Year, unmarried adults and children may receive bright red envelopes with money. The third day of the Lunar New Year is quieter than the others. It’s considered a bad omen to visit friends or family on this day.

It is common to visit the graves of deceased relatives or light incense in their memory.

The seventh day of the Lunar New Year is called Regnery, A Day of Man. It’s dedicated to the connection of humanity with all living creatures. Regnery is celebrated with certain dishes that have symbolic meaning and are supposed to strengthen health.

The Lantern Festival marks the end of the celebration. The bright lights mark the first full moon after the lunar New Year. Colorful lanterns displayed outdoors as well as inside temples are associated with guides to the house of lost souls.

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Questions

 
Lunar New Year, Spring Festival. The Chinese New Year is celebrated only in China. True or false?

Valentine’s Day. Does the Lunar New Year take place from the 31st of December to the First of January? Is it a permanent, fixed date?

Maslinitsa. During the Lunar New Year, people only blow fireworks. Is this right or wrong? How do ethnic Chinese celebrate the Spring Festival? Why do they do these rituals?

Carnival. The most significant color in the Chinese New Year is gold. Is this correct or incorrect?

Easter. Do New Year participants dance at a disco? Do they only exchange boxed gifts and presents?

May Day. Is the third day of the Spring Festival the climax in terms of parting, celebrating, fireworks, feasting and merrymaking?

Summer Vacation. What marks marks the end of the Lunar New Year? How is the final day of the Lunar New Year celebrated?
 
 
 
Mother’s Day. We celebrate New Year’s or a Spring Festival in my town, city and country. Yes or no? How is New Year’s or a Spring Festival celebrated?

Labor Day, Workers’ Day. What are the main themes or meanings of New Year’s?

Halloween. Is there a Chinatown or Chinese community in your town, city or country?

Thanksgiving. Do you have a favorite color? If yes, what is your favorite color?

Christmas. What might happen in the future?

New Years. What could or should people, families and friends do?