Celebrating the Spring Festival
Lunar New Year, or Chinese New Year, is a major celebration in China and among Chinese communities globally. It ushers in the new year on the traditional lunisolar calendar and is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and festive feasts.
The festival signifies winter's farewell and spring's arrival, symbolizing the clearing of bad luck and welcoming new blessings.
The date is set by the lunar calendar, falling between January 21 and February 20, with festivities lasting 15 days.
The heart of the festival lies in family reunions, with many journeying far to share the New Year's Eve meal with loved ones.
Chinese New Year traditions trace back to the ancient tale of Nian, a fearsome creature that surfaced on New Year's Eve to attack villages.
Taming the Beast
The villagers learned that the Nian feared red, loud sounds, and fire. To protect themselves, they hung red lanterns, donned red clothing, lit firecrackers, and beat drums on New Year's Eve. The Nian fled, leaving the village safe. Today, this tradition lives on with red decorations, firecrackers, and lion dances to drive away bad luck and usher in prosperity.
Each year in the Chinese zodiac corresponds to one of twelve animals in a recurring cycle. Legend says the Jade Emperor held a grand race to determine their order. The year 2025 marks the Year of the Snake.
Rat
Ox
Tiger
Rabbit
Dragon
Snake
Horse
Goat
Monkey
Rooster
Dog
Pig
The New Year season brims with customs and beliefs designed to bring fortune, wealth, and joy in the coming year.
Married couples and seniors gift red envelopes with money to kids and single adults to share blessings.
Homes are meticulously cleaned ahead of the New Year to clear out misfortune and welcome good fortune.
Traditional dances fill the streets, driven by drums and cymbals, to ward off evil and invite good fortune.
The New Year's Eve feast is a key tradition, bringing families together to enjoy a rich spread of meaningful dishes.
Food is central to Chinese New Year, with dishes selected for their symbolic significance, often tied to names or looks.