Chinese New Year Festivities

The date of the Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar rather than the western calendar. It falls on a day ranging from late January to mid-February.

In preparation for New Year, families clean out their houses, wash all the household utensils, and throw away unwanted items. Two days before Chinese New Year, the Chinese hold a thanksgiving ceremony in honor of Heaven. Chicken, pork, fish and fruit and so on have been prepared.

On Chinese New Year’s Eve, every member of every family returns home to have a reunion dinner. After the dinner, children receive red envelopes containing gifts of lucky money. Sons and daughters stay awake as long as they can during the night because it is believed that the longer the children stay awake, the longer their parents live. On New Year’s Day, after midnight, firecrackers are set off to “scare away” evil spirits.

On the first day of the Chinese New Year, many people don’t cook or eat any meat because they believe that this will ensure a happy and long life. Many people visit neighbors and friends. When people meet, they say “Gong Xi Fa Chai, “ to wish each other a happy new year.

On the second day of Chinese New Year, People pray to their ancestors and all the gods. Also, married daughters have a reunion with their parents and sons-in-law pay respect to their parents-in-law. On the third night of Chinese New Year, people go to bed early. On the fifth day, many stores start business once again after a long break.

During the Chinese New Year, there are many religious ceremonies and celebrations until the fifteenth day, Lantern Festival Day. Then all the New Year festivities are discontinued and everything returns to normal.