Chinese New Year, also referred to as Lunar New Year, is an annual Chinese festival that revolves around the phases of the moon. It begins with the new moon that occurs between January 21 and February 20 and is celebrated until the following full moon. This year, it will begin on February 1. Lunar New Year is a time with lots of feasting and honoring deities and ancestors.

Origin:

The widely spread legend about the origins of Chinese New Year is that centuries ago, a beast named Nian (which means ‘year’) would ravage villages at the beginning of each year. The villagers were able to scare the beast away with loud noises, bright lights, and the color red.

New Year Animals:

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There are 12 animals that each represent a year in the Chinese Calendar. The 12 animals include the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pug. This year is the year of the tiger who is known as the king of monsters and is associated with bravery, strength, and exorcising evils.

Celebrations:

Celebrations, such as fireworks and red decorations, help to flush out the old year and bring luck and prosperity into the new one. Houses are cleaned to rid them of ‘huigi’ (inauspicious breaths), along with pleasing the gods who come and inspect the houses. Sacrifices of food are offered to ancestors, scrolls with lucky messages are posted on houses, and elders give money to Children.

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Long noodles are eaten to symbolize a long life. Round dumplings symbolize the family unit and perfection. The final celebration of the Lunar New Year, the Lantern Festival, is when people hang lanterns around temples and carry them in a parade. The parade often has a dragon dance to honor the dragon, a symbol of good fortune.

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Sources:

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, December 1). Chinese New Year. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chinese-New-Year

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/chinese-new-year