Chinese New Year 🥢🧧🥠

Chinese New Year is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. It is the most important holiday in China, and it is also widely celebrated in China, South Korea, Vietnam and countries with a significant overseas Chinese population.  Many people have many different ways of celebrating Chinese New Year but these traditions are the usual ways of celebrating it. 

On the first day, it’s the birthday of the chicken so people set off firecrackers to chase off bad spirits. After the firecrackers, it is time for the first meal of the year, which is as important as the reunion dinner. Furthermore, children and the unmarried are given red envelopes after they pay their respects to their elders and parents.

On the second day, it is the birthday of the dog. Traditionally married daughters visit their parents’ home. They bring gifts and red envelopes to families and relatives. On this day, people offer sacrifices to the God of Wealth, wishing for a luckier and more prosperous year.

On the third day, it is the birthday of the pig which is allocated to grave visiting instead. Some people conclude it is inauspicious to do any house visiting at all, as it is believed that evil spirits roam the earth this day and hence it would be bad luck to be outdoors.

On the fourth day, it is the birthday of the sheep so the God of Kitchen will return to the family to continue watching over them. People will provide food and wines to welcome the God of Kitchen and wish for an accident-free kitchen.

On the fifth day, it is the birthday of the ox. People will get up early to clean up the house and light up firecrackers all in the wish to discard 5 bad lucks away. Some will use the day to visit classmates and relatives.

Moreover, the list goes on, but these points are the most important. I hope this article will give you a better understanding of Chinese New Year!