Mandy October 25, 2024
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Being a native Chinese, I would like to introduce to you our most important traditional festival – Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is celebrated on the first day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It’s the most significant and lively among all Chinese festivals. The Spring Festival, named for its occurrence at the transition from winter to spring, is characterized by a range of traditional customs.
People begin preparations for the festival 2-3 weeks before the festivals. Families undertake thorough cleaning, shop for festival items, craft paper decorations, hang New Year pictures, write couplets, bake special cakes, and prepare a variety of dishes to welcome the new year and bid farewell to the old one.
New Year’s Eve is a time for joyous family reunions, marked by a lavish dinner where everyone gathers around the table, chatting and laughing until dawn. This tradition is known as “Shousui守岁” which means “staying up to see the year out.”
During the Chinese New Year, people typically eat a variety of symbolic foods that are believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness for the coming year. Some common foods eaten during this festive time include:
These are just a few examples of the many traditional foods enjoyed during the Chinese New Year festivities. The specific dishes may vary depending on regional customs and personal preferences.
The following day marks the start of the lunar new year, when people visit relatives and friends to exchange good wishes. During these visits, people express hopes for happiness and health, and children receive money in red pockets, which named”压岁钱yasui qian”in Chinese as gifts from adults.
Setting off firecrackers is a favorite activity for children during the Spring Festival, believed to ward off evil spirits. The sound of firecrackers fills the air from New Year’s Eve onwards, creating an atmosphere of celebration and joy.
Despite changes over the years, the Spring Festival remains the most important festival for Chinese people worldwide. Each year, regardless of distance or busy schedules, people travel long distances to reunite with their families for this special occasion.
I hope this article can help you learn more about Chinese culture. If you enjoy it, welcome to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I am Mandy, I will meet you in the next blog/video. Have a nice day!
