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 The traditional Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration is actually 2-3 weeks
in length, although most of the festivities occur during the first five
days. It begins on the first New Moon of the new year and ends on
the full moon. The new year is determined by the second new moon after
the winter solstice.
The first
celebration is lost in time and began thousands of years ago, although
many legends of the first celebrations still exist. The
traditional holiday is one of celebration and family unification.
There would be great festivals where the stores of entire towns would
close for two weeks. Sacrifices were also a part of the older rituals. The more contemporary American celebration is still
celebrated, but not to as great of an extent. Large family dinners,
weekend celebrations and parades lead the highlights of the modern
celebration.
Some of the Chinese New Year traditions include:
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In the traditional New Year's dinner (called the
weilu),
the spirits of the dead would be invited to the festive meal. The
dinners have courses that include: fish, garlic chives, turnips, meat
(and fish) balls and dumplings with rice flour pudding for desert
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Burning paper money to pay for the traveling expenses of
the dead so they can be with their families
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Place sugar on the mouth of the kitchen god
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Hanging words of good fortune around the house (called
Spring Couplets, usually square papers with words or good wishes written
on them - like luck, health, etc,)
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Bright lights are kept on all night (to scare away evil
beings such as Nian)
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Visit neighbors and loved ones
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It is taboo to sweep the floor during the first five days
of the new year
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One should not curse, swear, speak ill about others or
speak of death during the holiday
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Chinese New Year Facts
and History
Celebration
of the Chinese New Year (CCC San Francisco): Information on the
traditional and American celebration of this holiday.
Chinese
New Year (Holiday Origins): Information on the origins of the Chinese
New Year celebration and related links.
Chinese
New Year-The History (Scotland Online):
History of the Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year (Univ. of Victoria):
A site that covers the Chinese new year in general, the 15 day
celebration, traditional foods, decorations and taboos/superstitions of
the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year Chinese Calendar (ChinaPage.com):
This site includes the Chinese calendar, and some interesting facts
about it as well.
Chinese
New Year (Web-Holidays.com): A brief overview
of the holiday.
Chinese New Year’s Crafts (KidsDomain.com):
Different ideas to do with your children or class on the Chinese New
Year.
Chinese New Year Recipes (MastersTech-Home.com):
A list of recipes for some delicious food to be eaten on the Chinese New
Year.
China
China,
General Information (ChinaToday):
Information and Facts about the Country of China.
China
Online (official):
"The Information Network of China."
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Gifts are exchanged during the Chinese New Years
celebrations. We have provided a list of the gifts given during a
traditional celebration:
Traditional Gifts:
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Flowers (plum blossom, water narcissus)
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Lai-See Envelopes (good luck money for children) -
a modern spin would be to make a donation to a child-oriented charity
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Spring Couplets (good luck banners)
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Fruit baskets (tangerines, Oranges, Pomelos)
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Tray of Forgiveness (Gift basket/tray with dried
fruits, sweets & candies)
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Dinner (authentic Chinese dinner for the whole
family)
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Travel (airplane tickets for you to visit family,
or to have them travel to you)
For more information on the meaning of the items below,
please go to Celebration
of the Chinese New Year website. |
