Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is the most important of the holidays for Chinese. It is defined to be the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar. Unlike the Christian New Year which is based on a solar calendar, the Chinese New Year is based on a traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar whose date indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. A lunar month is around 2 days shorter than a solar month. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar, an extra month is inserted every few years. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
Normally, the celebration will start from the New Year's Eve and will last for around 15 days until the mid of the first month. Before the celebration, people will normally do a complete cleaning of the house and put on the traditional New Year decoration. Family reunion is the most important part of the Chinese New Year celebration. The New Year's Eve is the time for family reunion. Following by the reunion, people will normally visit relatives and friends, doing shopping, watch some traditional Chinese shows, launch some fireworks, and plan for the coming year. The celebration will sometimes be highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of heaven, earth, and other gods, as well as the family ancestors. In modern China, working professionals will normally have 7 days of holiday including weekend to celebrate. After the family reunion, some modern Chinese may take the chance to visit some tourist destinations.
Chinese New Year History
It is unclear when the exact beginning of the New Year celebration in China is. Normally, it was said to start from the year end religious ceremony in Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1122 BC). A few said that it started from as early as Emperor Yao and Shun (~2300 BC). At the beginning, the date of celebration varies from mid winter to early spring. With the mature of solar base calendar, Emperor Wu (157 BC - 87 BC) of the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220) established the first day of the first month as the beginning of the year, where it remains. The following is a brief list:
- Emperor Yao and Emperor Shun (~ 2300 BC):
small scale New Year celebration type of activities. - Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1122 BC):
New Year celebration started from religious ceremony. - Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220):
New Year celebration is officialized at the first day of the first month. Crack bamboo appeared. (Crack bamboo will create loud cracking sound when put on fire. It is believed that the sound can drive away evil.) - Wei Dynasty (220 - 265) and Jin Dynasty (265 - 420):
Fireworks used in New Year celebration. The tradition of Shou Sui formed. - Song Dynasty (960 - 1279):
Fireworks using gun powder came out.
According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Years started with the fight against a mythical beast called the "Year". The "Year" looks like ox with lion head and it stays in the sea. At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later people found that the "Year" is afraid of red color, fire, and loud sound. Therefore, for self protection, people form the habit of posting red Dui Lian in front of the house, launching fireworks, and handing lantern at year end.
Chinese New Year Crafts
There are thousands of different types of New Year crafts in different part of China. The following is just a list of the most popular items.
There are thousands of different types of New Year crafts in different part of China. The following is just a list of the most popular items.
Upside Down Fu
The most popular Chinese New Year crafts are probably the upside down character of "Fu". "Fu" in Chinese means luck, happiness, and prosperity. The upside down means coming. So this craft means luck, happiness, and prosperity is coming. Usually the "Fu" is written on a diamond shape paper with red background. People normally post the "Fu" on front door or on the wall of the living room.
The most popular Chinese New Year crafts are probably the upside down character of "Fu". "Fu" in Chinese means luck, happiness, and prosperity. The upside down means coming. So this craft means luck, happiness, and prosperity is coming. Usually the "Fu" is written on a diamond shape paper with red background. People normally post the "Fu" on front door or on the wall of the living room.
Dui Lian
Also called antithetical couplet. It is a pair of lines of poetry usually hand written on red paper and pasted on the front. The two lines correspond in their metrical length and some properties of each character, such as meaning and tone. The ideal for a duilian is to have few words but deep meaning. For this reason, they use one character per word, as in much Classical Chinese.
Also called antithetical couplet. It is a pair of lines of poetry usually hand written on red paper and pasted on the front. The two lines correspond in their metrical length and some properties of each character, such as meaning and tone. The ideal for a duilian is to have few words but deep meaning. For this reason, they use one character per word, as in much Classical Chinese.
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Lantern
The type of lantern used in Chinese New Year is usually decorated with red paper shell. Some lantern has candles inside for illustration. Most are just made of red paper for decoration purpose only. In Chinese New Year, the lantern is usually hanging in front of the door or inside the house. In some part of China, lantern is a must for Yuan Xiao festival (15th of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar).
The type of lantern used in Chinese New Year is usually decorated with red paper shell. Some lantern has candles inside for illustration. Most are just made of red paper for decoration purpose only. In Chinese New Year, the lantern is usually hanging in front of the door or inside the house. In some part of China, lantern is a must for Yuan Xiao festival (15th of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar).
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Year Paint
Year Paint is a piece of big hand drawing paint. Usually, the size is at least 3 by 3 feet. Normally the Year Paint is hanged in the most prominent place of the living room. The most popular subjects on the paint are mountains, tiger, long living god, children, etc.
 Year Paint is a piece of big hand drawing paint. Usually, the size is at least 3 by 3 feet. Normally the Year Paint is hanged in the most prominent place of the living room. The most popular subjects on the paint are mountains, tiger, long living god, children, etc. |
Papercutting
Papercutting is a piece of art that cut from paper, usually red paper in China. Most popular subjects are animals, human, flowers, or the character of "Xi" means happiness. In Chinese New Year, most papercutting were stick on windows, some are placed on wall or front door.
Papercutting is a piece of art that cut from paper, usually red paper in China. Most popular subjects are animals, human, flowers, or the character of "Xi" means happiness. In Chinese New Year, most papercutting were stick on windows, some are placed on wall or front door.
Door God
A door god is a Chinese decoration placed on each side of an entry to a temple, home, business, etc., believed to keep evil from entering.
A door god is a Chinese decoration placed on each side of an entry to a temple, home, business, etc., believed to keep evil from entering.
Chinese New Year Traditions
Different part of China has very different traditions. The following are the most typical traditions.
Different part of China has very different traditions. The following are the most typical traditions.
New Year's Eve Dinner
The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year's Eve dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in northern china. These two dishes mean prosperous. Other dishes are depending on personal preference. The majority of Chinese will have New Year's Eve dinner at home instead of restaurant.
The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year's Eve dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in northern china. These two dishes mean prosperous. Other dishes are depending on personal preference. The majority of Chinese will have New Year's Eve dinner at home instead of restaurant.
Fireworks
Fireworks are used to drive away the evil in China. Right after the 12:00PM of the New Year's Eve, fireworks will be launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year as well as driven away the evil. It is believed that the person who launched the first Fireworks in the New Year will get good luck.
Fireworks are used to drive away the evil in China. Right after the 12:00PM of the New Year's Eve, fireworks will be launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year as well as driven away the evil. It is believed that the person who launched the first Fireworks in the New Year will get good luck.
Shou Sui
Shou Sui means after the New Year's Eve dinner, family member will normally stay awake during the night. Some people just stay until the mid night, after the fireworks. According to tales and legends, there was a mythical beast called the "Year". At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later people found that the "Year" is afraid of red color, fire, and loud sound. Therefore, at the New Year's Eve night, people will launch fireworks, put on some fires, and stay awakes the whole night to fend of the "Year".
Shou Sui means after the New Year's Eve dinner, family member will normally stay awake during the night. Some people just stay until the mid night, after the fireworks. According to tales and legends, there was a mythical beast called the "Year". At the night of New Year's Eve, the "Year" will come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later people found that the "Year" is afraid of red color, fire, and loud sound. Therefore, at the New Year's Eve night, people will launch fireworks, put on some fires, and stay awakes the whole night to fend of the "Year".
Red Packets
Red packet is a red envelope with money in it, range from one to a few thousand Chinese Yuan. Usually the red racket is given by adults, especially married couple, and elderly to young children in the New Year days. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep the children healthy, and long living.
Red packet is a red envelope with money in it, range from one to a few thousand Chinese Yuan. Usually the red racket is given by adults, especially married couple, and elderly to young children in the New Year days. It was believed that the money in the red packet will suppress the evil from the children, keep the children healthy, and long living.
New Year Markets
At the New Years days, a temporarily market will be setup mainly selling New Year goods, such as clothing, fireworks, decoration, foods, small arts, etc. The market is usually decorated with a large amount of lanterns.
At the New Years days, a temporarily market will be setup mainly selling New Year goods, such as clothing, fireworks, decoration, foods, small arts, etc. The market is usually decorated with a large amount of lanterns.
Small Year
Small year is the 23th or 24th of the last month of the year. It is said that this is the day the food god will leave the family to go to the heaven to report the activity of family to the Emperor of the heaven. People will have some religious ceremony to farewell the food god, including take down and burn the paint of the food god. After the New Year's Day, people will buy a new paint of the food god and post it at the kitchen.
Small year is the 23th or 24th of the last month of the year. It is said that this is the day the food god will leave the family to go to the heaven to report the activity of family to the Emperor of the heaven. People will have some religious ceremony to farewell the food god, including take down and burn the paint of the food god. After the New Year's Day, people will buy a new paint of the food god and post it at the kitchen.
Cleaning
A few days before the Chinese New Year, people will do a complete cleaning of the house and house ware; means get rid of the old and welcome the new. In old days when bath is not often, people will normally take a throughout bath to welcome the New Year.
A few days before the Chinese New Year, people will do a complete cleaning of the house and house ware; means get rid of the old and welcome the new. In old days when bath is not often, people will normally take a throughout bath to welcome the New Year.
Decoration
After the cleaning, people will decorate the house to welcome the New Year. Most of the decorations are red in color. The most popular New Year decorations are upside down fu, dui lian, lantern, year paint, papercutting, door god, etc..
After the cleaning, people will decorate the house to welcome the New Year. Most of the decorations are red in color. The most popular New Year decorations are upside down fu, dui lian, lantern, year paint, papercutting, door god, etc..
Chinese New Year Food
In Chinese New Year, normal food will be served. But the following is special.
In Chinese New Year, normal food will be served. But the following is special.
New Year's Eve Dinner
The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year's Eve dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in Northern China. These two dishes mean prosperous. Other dishes are depending on personal preference. The majority of Chinese will have New Year's Eve dinner at home instead of restaurant.
The New Year's Eve dinner is the most important dinner for Chinese. Normally this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family member away from home. In the New Year's Eve dinner, normally fish will be served. Dumplings are the most important dish in Northern China. These two dishes mean prosperous. Other dishes are depending on personal preference. The majority of Chinese will have New Year's Eve dinner at home instead of restaurant.
Dumplings
Dumplings are very popular in Northern China. It is one of the main dishes for New Year's Eve dinner. Very few people in Southern China serve dumplings in New Year's Eve dinner.
Dumplings are very popular in Northern China. It is one of the main dishes for New Year's Eve dinner. Very few people in Southern China serve dumplings in New Year's Eve dinner.
New Year Cake
It is solid cake made with glutinous rice flour together with some sugar. New Year Cake is popular in Eastern China.
It is solid cake made with glutinous rice flour together with some sugar. New Year Cake is popular in Eastern China.
Tang Yuan
Tang Yuan is small ball made from glutinous rice flour. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water. Tang Yuan can be either filled or unfilled. It is traditionally eaten during Yuan Xiao, or the Lantern Festival (the 15th of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar).
Tang Yuan is small ball made from glutinous rice flour. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and is then cooked and served in boiling water. Tang Yuan can be either filled or unfilled. It is traditionally eaten during Yuan Xiao, or the Lantern Festival (the 15th of the first month of the traditional Chinese calendar).
LaBa Congee
It is a mixture of rice, nuts, and beans cooked together. LaBa Congee is usually served on LaBa festival which is the 8th day of the last month of the year.
It is a mixture of rice, nuts, and beans cooked together. LaBa Congee is usually served on LaBa festival which is the 8th day of the last month of the year.
Chinese New Year Greetings
Happy New Year
- Wan Shi Ru Yi: means everything follow your will
- Ji Xiang Ru Yi: means harmony and follow your will
- Sui Sui Ping An: means harmony and safely year around
- Gong Xi Fa Cai: means Congratulations and be prosperous. Mostly used in southern China.
- Wan Shi Ru Yi: means everything follow your will
- Ji Xiang Ru Yi: means harmony and follow your will
- Sui Sui Ping An: means harmony and safely year around
- Gong Xi Fa Cai: means Congratulations and be prosperous. Mostly used in southern China.
Chinese New Year Activities
Before the New Year's Day
Shopping, cleaning, decoration
Shopping, cleaning, decoration
New Year's Eve
Family dinner, Shou Sui, Lunch Fireworks
Family dinner, Shou Sui, Lunch Fireworks
First Day of the New Year
In some place, people stay at home on the first day. In other place, people greeting each other, especially younger people will visit and greet the older relatives and friends.
In some place, people stay at home on the first day. In other place, people greeting each other, especially younger people will visit and greet the older relatives and friends.
Second Day
Some people will host some religious ceremony to honor the gods. Married female will visit their parents.
Some people will host some religious ceremony to honor the gods. Married female will visit their parents.
Third Day
Ceremony to honor the ancestors
Ceremony to honor the ancestors
Fifteenth Day
This is the Yuan Xiao festival, also called lantern festival. This is also the end of the New Year celebrations.
This is the Yuan Xiao festival, also called lantern festival. This is also the end of the New Year celebrations.
Chinese New Year Calendar
| Year | Chinese New Year Date | Animal Sign |
| 1930 | 1930-01-29 | Horse (1930-01-29—1931-02-16) |
| 1931 | 1931-02-17 | Sheep (1931-02-17—1932-02-05) |
| 1932 | 1932-02-06 | Monkey (1932-02-06—1933-01-25) |
| 1933 | 1933-01-26 | Rooster (1933-01-26—1934-02-13) |
| 1934 | 1934-02-14 | Dog (1934-02-14—1935-02-03) |
| 1935 | 1935-02-04 | Pig (1935-02-04—1936-01-23) |
| 1936 | 1936-01-24 | Rat (1936-01-24—1937-02-10) |
| 1937 | 1937-02-11 | Ox (1937-02-11—1938-01-30) |
| 1938 | 1938-01-31 | Tiger (1938-01-31—1939-02-18) |
| 1939 | 1939-02-19 | Rabbit (1939-02-19—1940-02-07) |
| 1940 | 1940-02-08 | Dragon (1940-02-08—1941-01-26) |
| 1941 | 1941-01-27 | Snake (1941-01-27—1942-02-14) |
| 1942 | 1942-02-15 | Horse (1942-02-15—1943-02-03) |
| 1943 | 1943-02-04 | Sheep (1943-02-04—1944-01-24) |
| 1944 | 1944-01-25 | Monkey (1944-01-25—1945-02-12) |
| 1945 | 1945-02-13 | Rooster (1945-02-13—1946-01-31) |
| 1946 | 1946-02-01 | Dog (1946-02-01—1947-01-21) |
| 1947 | 1947-01-22 | Pig (1947-01-22—1948-02-09) |
| 1948 | 1948-02-10 | Rat (1948-02-10—1949-01-28) |
| 1949 | 1949-01-29 | Ox (1949-01-29—1950-02-16) |
| 1950 | 1950-02-17 | Tiger (1950-02-17—1951-02-05) |
| 1951 | 1951-02-06 | Rabbit (1951-02-06—1952-01-26) |
| 1952 | 1952-01-27 | Dragon (1952-01-27—1953-02-13) |
| 1953 | 1953-02-14 | Snake (1953-02-14—1954-02-02) |
| 1954 | 1954-02-03 | Horse (1954-02-03—1955-01-23) |
| 1955 | 1955-01-24 | Sheep (1955-01-24—1956-02-11) |
| 1956 | 1956-02-12 | Monkey (1956-02-12—1957-01-30) |
| 1957 | 1957-01-31 | Rooster (1957-01-31—1958-02-17) |
| 1958 | 1958-02-18 | Dog (1958-02-18—1959-02-07) |
| 1959 | 1959-02-08 | Pig (1959-02-08—1960-01-27) |
| 1960 | 1960-01-28 | Rat (1960-01-28—1961-02-14) |
| 1961 | 1961-02-15 | Ox (1961-02-15—1962-02-04) |
| 1962 | 1962-02-05 | Tiger (1962-02-05—1963-01-24) |
| 1963 | 1963-01-25 | Rabbit (1963-01-25—1964-02-12) |
| 1964 | 1964-02-13 | Dragon (1964-02-13—1965-02-01) |
| 1965 | 1965-02-02 | Snake (1965-02-02—1966-01-20) |
| 1966 | 1966-01-21 | Horse (1966-01-21—1967-02-08) |
| 1967 | 1967-02-09 | Sheep (1967-02-09—1968-01-29) |
| 1968 | 1968-01-30 | Monkey (1968-01-30—1969-02-16) |
| 1969 | 1969-02-17 | Rooster (1969-02-17—1970-02-05) |
| 1970 | 1970-02-06 | Dog (1970-02-06—1971-01-26) |
| 1971 | 1971-01-27 | Pig (1971-01-27—1972-02-14) |
| 1972 | 1972-02-15 | Rat (1972-02-15—1973-02-02) |
| 1973 | 1973-02-03 | Ox (1973-02-03—1974-01-22) |
| 1974 | 1974-01-23 | Tiger (1974-01-23—1975-02-10) |
| 1975 | 1975-02-11 | Rabbit (1975-02-11—1976-01-30) |
| 1976 | 1976-01-31 | Dragon (1976-01-31—1977-02-17) |
| 1977 | 1977-02-18 | Snake (1977-02-18—1978-02-06) |
| 1978 | 1978-02-07 | Horse (1978-02-07—1979-01-27) |
| 1979 | 1979-01-28 | Sheep (1979-01-28—1980-02-15) |
| 1980 | 1980-02-16 | Monkey (1980-02-16—1981-02-04) |
| 1981 | 1981-02-05 | Rooster (1981-02-05—1982-01-24) |
| 1982 | 1982-01-25 | Dog (1982-01-25—1983-02-12) |
| 1983 | 1983-02-13 | Pig (1983-02-13—1984-02-01) |
| 1984 | 1984-02-02 | Rat (1984-02-02—1985-02-19) |
| 1985 | 1985-02-20 | Ox (1985-02-20—1986-02-08) |
| 1986 | 1986-02-09 | Tiger (1986-02-09—1987-01-28) |
| 1987 | 1987-01-29 | Rabbit (1987-01-29—1988-02-16) |
| 1988 | 1988-02-17 | Dragon (1988-02-17—1989-02-05) |
| 1989 | 1989-02-06 | Snake (1989-02-06—1990-01-26) |
| 1990 | 1990-01-27 | Horse (1990-01-27—1991-02-14) |
| 1991 | 1991-02-15 | Sheep (1991-02-15—1992-02-03) |
| 1992 | 1992-02-04 | Monkey (1992-02-04—1993-01-22) |
| 1993 | 1993-01-23 | Rooster (1993-01-23—1994-02-09) |
| 1994 | 1994-02-10 | Dog (1994-02-10—1995-01-30) |
| 1995 | 1995-01-31 | Pig (1995-01-31—1996-02-18) |
| 1996 | 1996-02-19 | Rat (1996-02-19—1997-02-06) |
| 1997 | 1997-02-07 | Ox (1997-02-07—1998-01-27) |
| 1998 | 1998-01-28 | Tiger (1998-01-28—1999-02-15) |
| 1999 | 1999-02-16 | Rabbit (1999-02-16—2000-02-04) |
| 2000 | 2000-02-05 | Dragon (2000-02-05—2001-01-23) |
| 2001 | 2001-01-24 | Snake (2001-01-24—2002-02-11) |
| 2002 | 2002-02-12 | Horse (2002-02-12—2003-01-31) |
| 2003 | 2003-02-01 | Sheep (2003-02-01—2004-01-21) |
| 2004 | 2004-01-22 | Monkey (2004-01-22—2005-02-08) |
| 2005 | 2005-02-09 | Rooster (2005-02-09—2006-01-28) |
| 2006 | 2006-01-29 | Dog (2006-01-29—2007-02-17) |
| 2007 | 2007-02-18 | Pig (2007-02-18—2008-02-06) |
| 2008 | 2008-02-07 | Rat (2008-02-07—2009-01-25) |
| 2009 | 2009-01-26 | Ox (2009-01-26—2010-02-13) |
| 2010 | 2010-02-14 | Tiger (2010-02-14—2011-02-02) |
| 2011 | 2011-02-03 | Rabbit (2011-02-03—2012-01-22) |
| 2012 | 2012-01-23 | Dragon (2012-01-23—2013-02-09) |
| 2013 | 2013-02-10 | Snake (2013-02-10—2014-01-30) |
| 2014 | 2014-01-31 | Horse (2014-01-31—2015-02-17) |
| 2015 | 2015-02-18 | Sheep (2015-02-18—2016-02-07) |
| 2016 | 2016-02-08 | Monkey (2016-02-08—2017-01-27) |
| 2017 | 2017-01-28 | Rooster (2017-01-28—2018-02-14) |
| 2018 | 2018-02-15 | Dog (2018-02-15—2019-02-04) |
| 2019 | 2019-02-05 | Pig (2019-02-05—2020-01-24) |
| 2020 | 2020-01-25 | Rat (2020-01-25—2021-02-11) |
| 2021 | 2021-02-12 | Ox (2021-02-12—2022-01-31) |
| 2022 | 2022-02-01 | Tiger (2022-02-01—2023-01-21) |
| 2023 | 2023-01-22 | Rabbit (2023-01-22—2024-02-09) |
| 2024 | 2024-02-10 | Dragon (2024-02-10—2025-01-28) |
| 2025 | 2025-01-29 | Snake (2025-01-29—2026-02-16) |
| 2026 | 2026-02-17 | Horse (2026-02-17—2027-02-05) |
| 2027 | 2027-02-06 | Sheep (2027-02-06—2028-01-25) |
| 2028 | 2028-01-26 | Monkey (2028-01-26—2029-02-12) |
| 2029 | 2029-02-13 | Rooster (2029-02-13—2030-02-02) |
| 2030 | 2030-02-03 | Dog (2030-02-03—2031-01-22) |
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