Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year (), also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year's Day, celebrated on the first day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. This is the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice, unless there is an intercalary eleventh or twelfth month in the lead-up to the New Year. In such a case, the New Year falls on the day of the third new moon after the solstice. (The next time this occurs is in 2033.) The Chinese New Year period ends with the Lantern Festival, on the fifteenth day of the festival.

According to legend, the beginning of the year began with month 1 during the Xia Dynasty, month 12 during the Shang Dynasty, and month 11 during the Zhou Dynasty, but intercalary months were added after month 12 during both the Shang Dynasty according to surviving oracle bones and the Zhou Dynasty according to Sima Qian. The first Emperor of China Qin Shi Huang changed the beginning of the year to month 10 in 221 BC. Whether the New Year was celebrated at the beginning of these months or at the beginning of month 1 or both is unknown. In 104 BC, Emperor Wu established month 1 as the beginning of the year where it remains.

According to legend, in ancient China, Nian ("Nyan"), a man-eating predatory beast from the mountains, could infiltrate houses silently. The Chinese were always very scared of this monster. The Chinese later learned that Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the color red, and so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the color red. So "GuoNian" actually means "Passover the Nian". These customs led to the first New Year celebrations.

Another popular legend is about Chinese New Year Eve, which is called "ChuXi" or 除夕 in Mandarin Chinese. "Chu" means "get rid of" and "Xi" is the name of a legendary man-eating beast that preys once a year on New Year Eve. When Xi arrived, people use firecrackers to scare Xi away. Once Xi ran away, people joined together to celebrate for another year of safe life.

Celebrated internationally in areas with large populations of ethnic Chinese, Chinese New Year is considered to be a major holiday for the Chinese as well as ethnic groups such as the Mongolians, Koreans, the Miao (Chinese Hmong), the Vietnamese (see Tết), Tibetans, the Nepalese and the Bhutanese (see Losar) who were strongly influenced by Chinese culture in terms of philosophical and religious worldview, language and culture in general. Chinese New Year is also the time when the largest human migration takes place when overseas Chinese all around the world return home on the eve of Chinese New Year to have reunion dinners with their families.

New Year dates

The dates of the Spring Festival from 1996 to 2019 (in the Gregorian calendar) are listed below with pinyin romanizations for the earthly branches associated with the animals, which are not their translations.

Animal	Branch	Dates
Rat	Zi	February 19 1996	February 7 2008
Ox	Chou	February 7 1997	January 26 2009
Tiger	Yin	January 28 1998	February 14 2010
Rabbit	Mao	February 16 1999	February 3 2011
Dragon	Chen	February 5 2000	January 23 2012
Snake	Si	January 24 2001	February 10 2013
Horse	Wu	February 12 2002	January 31 2014
Goat	Wei	February 1 2003	February 19 2015
Monkey	Shen	January 22 2004	February 8 2016
Rooster	You	February 9 2005	January 28 2017
Dog	Xu	January 29 2006	February 16 2018
Pig	Hai	February 18 2007	February 5 2019

Many non-Chinese people confuse their Chinese birth-year with their Gregorian birth-year. Because the Chinese New Year starts in late January to mid February, the Chinese year dates from 1 January until that day in the new Gregorian year remain unchanged from the previous Gregorian year. For example, the 1989 year of the snake began on 6 February 1989. The year 1990 is considered by some people to be the year of the horse. However, the 1989 year of the snake officially ended on 26 January 1990. This means that anyone born from January 1 to 25 January 1990 was actually born in the year of the snake rather than the year of the horse.

Many online Chinese Sign calculators do not account for the non-alignment of the two calendars, incorrectly using Gregorian-calendar years rather than official Chinese New Year dates.

See Chinese astrology for a list of Chinese New Year dates for every year from 1900 to 2020, covering one full sexagesimal cycle (1924–1983) and portions of two others.

Public Holiday

Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in a number of countries and territories where a sizeable Chinese population resides. Since Chinese New Year falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week, some of these governments opt to shift working days in order to accommodate a longer public holiday. Also like many other countries in the world, a statutory holiday is added on the following work day when the New Year falls on the weekend.

People's Republic of China

The first seven days

Hong Kong and Macau

The first three days

Republic of China (Taiwan)

The first five days

Singapore

The first two days

Malaysia

The first two days

Brunei

The first day

Other Countries

The Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese also celebrate their respective New Years (shōgatsu - Japan, Seolnal - Korea, Tết - Vietnam) on the same day as they follow the Chinese Calendar, and the day is usually a public holiday in those countries. However, because of the time difference between Vietnam and Beijing (China), Tết may differ from the Chinese calendar by a day every 22nd or 23rd year.

Other Official Acknowlegements

A few countries around the world regularly issue postage stamps and/or numismatic coins to commemorate Chinese New Year. Although Chinese New Year is not institutionalised as public holiday, these countries recognise the significant number of their citizens who are of Chinese origin.

Some of these countries and territories are: Australia, Canada, Christmas Island, France, United States

Festivities

New Year season lasts for fifteen days. The first week is the most important and most often celebrated with visits to friends and family as well as greetings of good luck. The celebrations end on the important and colourful Lantern Festival on the evening of the 15th day of the month. However, Chinese believe that on the third day (年初三) of the Chinese New Year it is not appropriate to visit family and friends, and call the day "chec hao" (赤口), meaning "easy to get into arguments".

The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the Chinese calendar, a lunisolar calendar. The same calendar is used in countries that have adopted the Confucian and Buddhism tradition and in many cultures influenced by the Chinese, notably the Koreans, the Japanese, the Tibetan, the Vietnamese and the pagan Bulgars. Chinese New Year starts on the first day of the new year containing a new moon (some sources even include New Year's Eve) and ends on the Lantern Festival fourteen days later. This occurs around the time of the full moon as each lunation is about 29.53 days in duration. In the Gregorian calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on different dates each year, on a date between January 21 and February 20. In traditional Chinese Culture, Lichun is a solar term marking the start of spring, which usually falls on either February 4 or 5.

Days before the new year

On the days before the New Year celebration, Chinese families give their home a thorough cleaning. It is believed the cleaning sweeps away bad luck and makes their homes ready for good luck to arrive. All brooms and dust pans are put away on New Year's Eve so that good luck cannot be swept away. Some people give their homes, doors and windowpanes a new coat of red paint. Homes are decorated with paper cutouts of Chinese auspicious phrases and couplets (short phrases) that speak of "happiness," "wealth," "longevity."

Reunion dinner

A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve where members of the family, near and far, get together for celebration. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and traditionally includes chicken. Fish (魚, yú) is included, but not eaten up completely (and the remaining stored overnight), as the Chinese phrase 年年有餘; (nián nián yǒu yú, literally: every year there is fish, but translates as: "every year there is leftover/surpluses") is a homophone for phrases which could mean "be blessed every year" or "have something leftover every year" or phrases to that effect, since "yú" is also the pronunciation for "leftover" or more accurately, surplus. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in Cantonese, is also featured in many dishes since its name sounds similar to "prosperity". Hakka will serve kiu nyuk (扣肉) and ngiong tiu fu. Because certain things and/or food sound alike to certain Chinese well-wishes, the belief is that having one will lead to the other.

Most Northerners serve dumplings as the main dish on this festive season, although most Chinese around the world would do the same because it is believed that dumplings (饺子--jiǎo zi) 饺子 is wrapped in the semblance of Chinese gold nuggets (illustrated) used in ancient China. This gold nugget is called 金元宝 (jin yuán bǎo). However, mandarin oranges are the most popular and most abundant fruit during Chinese New Year amongst Chinese simply because of, inter alia, how the name of the fruit is phonetically similar to gold -- Jin ju (金橘子) or Kamm (金) in Cantonese.

First day of the new year

The first day (初一 or "chu yi") is for the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth. Many people abstain from meat consumption on the first day because it is believed that this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

New Year's day is also celebrated within the family. Usually family members gather on the morning of New Year's Day. It is at this gathering that red envelopes are given by senior members of the family, usually married, to unmarried junior members of the family.

Red packets traditionally consisted of amounts which were considered multiples. Amounts like $2 or $20 were acceptable. Similarly "multiples of 2" such as $1.10 and $2.20 were also acceptable. However, this is not strictly adhered to. The gift was originally a token amount but these days it is not uncommon to receive large sums in affluent families. In some families this tradition has evolved into the practice to substituting money-like instruments (stocks, bonds, unit trust) in place of large sums of cash.

Red packets are also given to unmarried visitors but the sums are often smaller than the envelope given to family members or close friends. Employers may also give red envelopes to their employees on the first working day after the festival.

Most importantly, the first day of Chinese New Year is a time where family members, in order of their seniority, will pay a visit to their oldest and most senior member of their family, usually their parents or grandparents, or even great grandparents. The venue of the aforementioned Reunion Dinner is usually, if not always, at the eldest and most respected family member's residence. This has been in practice for many centuries.

Some families will invite a Lion dance troupe to their home as a symbolic ritual to usher in the Lunar New Year as well as to force-evict bad spirits out of the premises. Chinese red firecrackers will also be on display where the deafening explosions of each firecracker is believed to scare evil spirits away.

Second day of the new year

It is the second day of Chinese New Year for sons-in-laws to visit their parents-in-law. Giving away red packets will still be ongoing from the first day and would gradually quiet down by the fifth day, depending on the size of the family as each juniors will only receive one packet from each senior member of the family.

It is always a tradition to wish guests and be wished by guests "Gong xi fa cai!" (Mandarin) or "Gong hei fatt choy" (Cantonese). Depending on the family's background, guests may be invited to join a ceremony of tea with the host.

Third day and fourth of the new year

The third day of Chinese New Year is not appropriate to visit any relative because it is known as "chec hao" (赤口), meaning easy to get into argument. Theory suggests that the cause could be the fried food and visiting during the first two days of the New Year celebration. ==

Fifth day of the new year

In north China, people eat Jiaozi (dumplings) on the morning of Po Wu.

Seventh day of the new year

The seventh day traditionally is known as the common man's birthday, the day when everyone grows one year older. It is also the day when tossed fish salad, yusheng, is eaten. People get together to toss the colorful salad and make wishes for continued wealth and prosperity. This is celebrated primarily among the Chinese in Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia and Singapore. This is a tradition that is not commonly practiced by Chinese in other parts of the world. For many Chinese, this is a day to avoid meat, and to enjoy 'jai', a vegetarian meal.

Fifteenth day of the new year

The fifteenth and last day of the new year is the time when an old woman will greet you with a basket of celery. This occurrence is celebrated as Yuanxiao jie (元宵节) or otherwise known as Chap Goh Mei in Fujian dialect, marked by the eating of tangyuan (), a sweet rice ball dumpling soup. Depending on locality, the same day may also be celebrated as the Lantern Festival, or as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

Traditions

Traditionally, red packets (Mandarin: 'hong bao' (紅包); Hokkien: 'ang pow' (POJ: âng-pau); Hakka: 'fung bao'; Cantonese: 'lai see' (利是)) are passed out during the Chinese New Year's celebrations, from married couples to unmarried people, especially children. The envelopes contain money, usually varying from a dollar to several hundred dollars. Chinese New Year is celebrated with firecrackers, dragon dances and lion dances. Typically the game of mahjong is played in some families. New clothing is also worn on the first day.

New Year Markets

Markets are set up near the New Year especially for vendors to sell New Year-related products. These usually open-air markets feature floral products, toys, clothing, for shoppers to buy gifts for new year visitations as well as decor for their homes. The practice of shopping for the perfect peach blossom is not dissimilar to the Western tradition of buying a Christmas tree.

Firecrackers

Firecrackers are either by themselves or strung in a long string. They are cased in red paper, as red symbolises good things. The loud popping noise created by the explosion is thought to scare away evil spirits.

In Singapore, firecrackers are banned due to safety reasons since 1972. In 2003, the government allowed firecrackers to be displayed during the festive season. However, they are still not commercially sold and is only allowed to be displayed at events for the Chinese New Year light up at Chinatown, at midnight on the day itself and other occasions which is displayed by the tourism board or other government organizations.

Clothing

Red clothing is worn throughout the Chinese New Year, as red will scare away evil spirits and bad fortune.

Decorations

Red banners with "Luck" (福) written on them are hung around the house and on the fronts of doors.

The following are popular floral decorations for the New Year and are available at the new year markets.

Peach blossom (symbolises luck)
Kumquat plants (symbolises prosperity)
Narcissus
Chrysanthemum (symbolises longevity)
Bamboo (A plant used for anytime of year.)

Foods

Several foods are eaten to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune. Several of the foods pronounced in Chinese are homophones to words that also mean good things.

Fish - Is usually eaten on the eve of Chinese New Year.
Dumplings - Eaten traditionally because the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling, which is later eaten.
Candy
Kwatji
Turnip/Taro cakes
Mooncakes

For Buddhist families, the first and last days of the Chinese New Year are practiced vegetarian. (Of course, the devout Buddhist will eat vegetarian all year.)

Superstitions during the New Year period

Buying a pair of shoes is considered inauspicious. The word "shoes" is a homonym to the word for "rough" in Cantonese.
Buying a pair of pants is considered inauspicious. The word "pants" is a homonym to the word for "bitter" in Cantonese. (Although some perceive it to be positive as the word 'pants' in Cantonese could be a homonym to the word for "wealth".)
A hair-cut is considered inauspicious. The word "hair" is a homonym to the word for "prosperity". Thus "cutting hair" could be perceived as "cutting your prosperity" in Cantonese.
Candy is eaten to ensure the eater a "sweet" year.
Sweeping the floor is considered inauspicious, as it will sweep away the good fortune and luck for the new year.
Talking about death is inappropriate for the first few days of Chinese New Year, as it is considered inauspicious as well.

Greetings

The Chinese New Year is often accompanied by loud, enthusiastic greetings, often referred to as 吉祥話 (Jíxiánghùa), or loosely translated as auspicious words or phrases. Some of the most common examples may include:

新年快樂

Hokkien POJ: Sin-nî khòai-lo̍k; Cantonese: Sun nin fai lok. A more contemporary greeting reflective of western influences, it literally translates from the greeting "Happy new year" more common in the west. But in northern part of China, traditionally people say instead of , to make difference from the international new year. And 过年好 can be used from the first day to the fifth day of chinese new year.

恭喜發財

; Hokkien Keong hee huat chye (POJ: Kiong-hí hoat-châi); Cantonese: Gung hei fat choi; Hakka: Kung hee fat choi, which loosely translates to "Congratulations and be prosperous", usually written in English as kung hei fat choi Often mistakenly assumed to be synonymous with "Happy new year", its usage dates back several centuries, with the Cantonese transliteration said to have first entered English usage in the 1800s, for instance. While the first two words of this phrase had a much longer historical significance (legend has it that the congratulatory messages were traded for surviving the ravaging beast of Nian, although in practical terms in may also involve surviving the harsh winter conditions), the last two words were added later as capitalism and consumerism ideas took greater significance in Chinese societies around the world.

The saying is now commonly heard in English speaking communities for greetings during Chinese New Year in parts of the world where there is a sizable Chinese-speaking community, for instance in Australia, Canada and America among others. In other English-speaking communities with a larger Chinese-speaking population, the Mandarin version tends to prevail especially when multiple dialect groups exist, particularly in Malaysia and Singapore.

External Links

Other greetings

Numerous other greetings exist, some of which may be exclaimed out loud to no one in particular in specific situations. For example, as breaking objects during the new year is considered inauspicious, one may then say 歲歲平安 (Suìsuì píng'ān) immediately, which means everlasting peace year after year. 歲 (Suì, meaning "age") is homophonous with 碎 (meaning "shatter"), in demonstration of the Chinese love for wordplay in auspicious phrases. Similarly, 年年有餘 (Niánnián yǒuyú), a wish for surpluses and bountiful harvests every year, plays on the word yú to also refer to 魚 (meaning fish), making it a catch phrase for fish-based Chinese new year dishes and for paintings or graphics of fish that are hung on walls or presented as gifts.

These greetings or phrases may also be used just before children receive their red packets, when gifts are exchanged, when visiting temples, or even when tossing the shredded ingredients of yusheng particularly popular in Malaysia and Singapore.

References

External links

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