Chinese New Year: A fascinating first-hand insight
During our stay in Penang, in a hostel where we currently work, we had the opportunity to exchange cultural information with a colleague. She told us exciting details about the Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节, Chūnjié), which is one of the most important festivals in Chinese culture. We were impressed by how deeply rooted the traditions and customs of this festival are and would like to give you a little insight.
When is the Chinese New Year celebrated?
The date for Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, so it varies between January 21 and February 20 each year. In 2025, it will start on January 29 , marking the beginning of the Year of the Snake .
The Chinese Zodiac and its Meaning
The Chinese New Year heralds the change of the zodiac sign every year. There are 12 animal signs in total that rotate annually: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. Each of these animals represents certain character traits that are attributed to the year.
traditions and customs
1. The preparations
The celebrations begin long before the actual New Year’s Day.
• House cleaning : Thorough cleaning is done to remove the bad luck of the old year and make room for the good luck of the new year.
• Decorations : Houses are decorated with red lanterns, calligraphy and artistically cut paper. The colour red is particularly important as it symbolises luck and prosperity.
2. The big family reunion
Family comes first during Chinese New Year. On the eve of the new year, the whole family comes together for a big feast. It is the most important meal of the year.
• Jiaozi (dumplings) are traditionally eaten because they are reminiscent of ancient Chinese coins and symbolize prosperity.
• Fish should not be missing from any meal, because the Chinese word for “fish” (鱼, yú) can be compared with something we accumulate for the new year.
• Rice cakes (Nian Gao) represent the wish to rise higher and higher in the coming year – be it in one’s career or in life in general.
3. Lucky charms and traditions
• Red envelopes (Hongbao) : Children and young people receive red envelopes containing money that are supposed to bring good luck and prosperity.
• Fireworks and firecrackers : These are meant to drive away evil spirits. The custom goes back to the legend of the monster Nian , who was scared away by loud noises and the color red.
• Giving mandarins as a gift : Another tradition is giving mandarins as a gift, which symbolize prosperity and good luck. It is important to remember that even numbers are always given as gifts, usually two, six or eight . The number eight is particularly popular because it sounds similar to the Chinese word for "wealth". You should avoid four , however, because it sounds similar to "death" and is therefore considered unlucky.
4. Lion and Dragon Dances
Colorful lion and dragon dances can be seen in the streets, which are meant to bring good luck into the new year and keep evil spirits away.
5. New clothes
On New Year's Day, people traditionally wear new clothes, preferably in red or gold, to welcome the good fortune of the new year.
The Lantern Festival: The Conclusion of the Festivities
The Chinese New Year ends after 15 days with the Lantern Festival (元宵节, Yuánxiāo Jié) . On this day, lanterns are lit, riddles are played and sweet rice balls (Tangyuan) are eaten, which symbolize unity and solidarity.
Chinese New Year worldwide
Spring Festival traditions are not limited to China. Many countries with large Chinese communities also celebrate, including Vietnam (Tết), Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia . The celebrations are also gaining popularity in Western countries such as the United States and Europe.
Our personal conclusion
Through our conversation with our colleague, we learned a lot about Chinese New Year. The deep-rooted traditions, the connection to family and the symbolism of the festival are impressive. What particularly fascinated us was the meaning of the colour red, the role of numbers such as eight and how important it is for the family to come together.
For us, it was a wonderful insight into a foreign but incredibly rich culture. If you ever have the opportunity to experience the Chinese New Year - be it in China or another country - don't miss this spectacle!
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