Chinese New Year or Spring Festival or the Lunar New Year, is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th; this day is called the Lantern festival.
According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián, which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.
A reunion dinner is held on New Year’s Eve where members of the family, near and far, get together for the celebration. The venue will usually be in or near the home of the most senior member of the family. The New Year’s Eve dinner is very sumptuous and traditionally includes chicken and fish. Red packets for the immediate family are sometimes distributed during the reunion dinner. These packets often contain money in certain numbers that reflect good luck and honorability. Several foods are consumed to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune.
During these 15 days of the Chinese New Year one will see superstitious or traditional cultural beliefs with meanings which can be puzzling in the eyes of those who do not celebrate this occasion. There is a customary reason that explains why everything, not just limited to decorations, is centered on the color red. At times, gold is the accompanying color for reasons that are already obvious. One best and common example is the red diamond-shaped posters with the character 福 (pinyin: fú), or “auspiciousness” which are displayed around the house and on doors. This sign is usually seen hanging upside down, since the Chinese word (pinyin: dǎo), or “upside down”, sounds similar as (pinyin: dào), or “arrive”. Therefore, it symbolizes the arrival of luck, happiness, and prosperity.
Some of the “good luck” superstitions are as follows:
•Opening windows and/or doors is considered to bring in the good luck of the new year.
•Switching on the lights for the night is considered good luck to ’scare away’ ghosts and spirits of misfortune that may compromise the luck and fortune of the new year.
•Sweets are eaten to ensure the consumer a “sweet” year.
•It is important to have the house completely clean from top to bottom before New Year’s Day for good luck in the coming year. (however, as explained below, cleaning the house after New Year’s Day is frowned upon)
•Some believe that what happens on the first day of the new year reflects the rest of the year to come. Asians will often gamble at the beginning of the year, hoping to get luck and prosperity.
•Wearing a new pair of slippers that is bought before the new year, because it means to step on the people who gossip about you.
•The night before the new year, bathe yourself in pomelo leaves and some say that you will be healthy for the rest of the new year
In 2008 the date of Chinese New Year is February 7th and it will be celebrated in communities with a large Chinese population. Those of us that don’t regularly celebrate Chinese New Year can still enjoy the Holiday be reading the story of Nian, eating a meal with our family, lighting a latern and wearing red and gold. Enjoy the day & celebrate something new with your family!
