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In our family, Chinese New Year is one of the most joyful and meaningful traditions we celebrate. Unlike Christmas, where festive decorations and holiday cheer are everywhere, Chinese New Year celebrations are often limited to select Asian communities. Because of this, my kids don’t get the same exposure to it as they do with other holidays, and I sometimes worry that they’ll miss out on the traditions that were such a big part of my own childhood.
Every year, as I prepare for the holiday, my kids—and even some non-Asian parents—start asking questions: “Why is red so important?” “What do we eat for Chinese New Year?” “How long does the celebration last?”
Honestly, some of these questions make me pause because I never really questioned them growing up—I just followed along with what my family did. But now, as I try to pass these traditions on, I find myself digging deeper, learning more about the meanings behind them.
Most of what I know comes from my upbringing in Taiwan, and I love being able to share that with my kids. It makes me feel more connected to my own roots while helping them build that connection for themselves.
Do Chinese New Year fall under Gregorian calendar as we are in the States?
Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar, specifically the Chinese lunisolar calendar, where the new year begins on the first day of the first lunar month. This date varies each year in the Gregorian calendar, typically falling between January 21 and February 20. Even in the United States, Chinese New Year is celebrated according to its traditional lunar calendar date.
The entire celebration lasts 15 days and ends on Lantern Festival (元宵節).
Is Chinese New Year considered as a national holiday? What countries celebrate this holiday?
Chinese New Year is one of the most significant holidays in many countries. It is a major public holiday in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and several other Asian countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and South Korea.
With that said, Chinese New Year is also widely celebrated globally in countries with large Chinese populations, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the UK, although it may not be an official public holiday there.
While the United States schedules its winter break around Christmas and New Year’s, many Asian countries align their winter break with Chinese New Year. Students typically have up to three weeks off, while companies may grant up to seven days of leave for the holiday.
What does Chinese New Year have to do with the zodiac sign?
Chinese New Year marks the start of a new zodiac year based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The Chinese zodiac follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by a different animal: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and lastly, pig.
For example, if you are born in the year of 1972, then your zodiac sign would be a rat. For year of 2014, the sign would be a horse.
Each zodiac sign is believed to influence a person’s personality, fortune, and life path. When a person’s birth year matches the current zodiac year, it’s called Ben Ming Nian (本命年), and they are believed to face challenges or changes. Many people wear red clothing or accessories for protection and good luck during their Ben Ming Nian.
Why wear red during Chinese New Year?
Red is a symbol of good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture. Wearing red is a way to invite good fortune and embrace the festive spirit.
It is believed to ward off evil spirits and bad fortune. The tradition originates from the legend of Nian, a mythical beast that was scared away by the color red and loud noises.
It’s not just clothing—red is everywhere during the celebrations. From banners and lanterns to decorations and hongbao (red envelopes), the color plays a central role in bringing joy and prosperity into the new year.
What colors of clothing to avoid?
It is best to avoid wearing black or white during Chinese New Year, as these colors are traditionally associated with mourning and funerals in Chinese culture.
Since the holiday is all about welcoming good fortune and joy, wearing these colors is considered inauspicious. Instead, bright and festive colors like red, gold, and yellow are recommended, as they symbolize luck, prosperity, and happiness.
Why do people give out money with Hong Bao (red envelop)? Does everyone get one?
The tradition of giving Hong Bao (红包), or red envelopes, is a way to bless recipients with good fortune, prosperity, and happiness for the year ahead. The red envelope symbolizes good luck, while the money inside represents a wish for abundance and success in the coming year.
Typically, children, unmarried adults, and younger family members receive red envelopes from elders or married individuals. Employees may also receive them from their employers as a token of appreciation and good fortune.
What is the agenda during Chinese New Year?
The Chinese New Year celebration lasts for 15 days, with each day having specific traditions. Common activities include:
- Before New Year’s Eve: Cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck.
- New Year’s Eve: Put on new year banners. Families get together to make the dumplings and prepare the symbolic dishes (年夜飯). Stay up late (守歲) and keep the bad luck away while welcoming the new year.
- Day 1: Put on new outfits that symbolize fresh start with the new year. Visit family, offer greetings, and give Hong Bao to the children and unmarried adults.
- Day 5: Employees starting to return back to work and welcoming the God of Wealth.
- Day 15: Lantern Festival, marking the end of the celebrations with lantern displays and sweet glutinous rice balls (湯圓)
Do you know there are rules when putting on the new year banners (spring couplets)?
Naturally, one might think that New Year banners can be placed anywhere in any way one desires. But did you know that if you put them incorrectly, you could be sending away your luck and wealth?
Traditionally, long vertical paired banners are placed on each side of the main door, with a horizontal banner on top. Diamond-shaped banners with the words fortune (福) and spring (春) can also be placed either outdoors or indoors. The tricky part is that when placed indoors, they should be upside down, symbolizing the “arrival” of fortune and spring—because the word for “arrival” sounds the same as “upside down” in Chinese. However, this rule applies only indoors; if you place them upside down outdoors, you could be pushing fortune and spring away instead.
What kind of firecrackers are used?
During Chinese New Year, the continuous sound of firecrackers is everywhere you go. Unlike the large fireworks seen on the Fourth of July in the U.S., the firecrackers used for this holiday are mainly strings of firecrackers (鞭炮) that produce a rapid series of loud pops. These firecrackers are traditionally set off to scare away the mythical beast Nian (年) and to ward off evil spirits.
What kind of games do kids play?
Although we don’t play these games as often here in the States, we used to enjoy them when visiting our relatives in Taiwan as kids. These traditional games and activities can last the whole day—sometimes even continuing as we visit different relatives and friends.
- Banner Writing (Couplets) – Writing auspicious phrases on red paper with black or gold ink to express good wishes and blessings for the coming year.
- Paper Cutting – Creating intricate designs of good luck words, zodiac animals, lanterns, or festive patterns.
- Lion Dance Imitation – Pretending to perform a lion dance, often by children mimicking the movements.
- Card Games & Gambling Games – Playing simple card or dice games, sometimes using coins in a lighthearted gambling style.
- Red Envelope Hunt – Similar to an Easter egg hunt, but with hongbao (red envelopes) hidden for children to find.
- Tangram Puzzles & Lantern Riddles – Solving puzzles or answering riddles written on lanterns, especially during the Lantern Festival.
Why do you eat dumplings?
Dumplings (餃子) are symbolize wealth and prosperity. Their shape resembles ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, and eating them is thought to bring financial success. Families often gather to make dumplings together as a symbol of unity.
What symbolic dishes are presented for this holiday?
- Fish (魚): Prosperity, as the word for fish sounds like “surplus” (yú) in Chinese. However, do not eat the head or the tail and always leave an uneaten portion behind until next day, which symbolize good fortune to be carried on to the next year.
- Noodles (麵條): Longevity, especially uncut noodles.
- Spring Rolls (春捲): Wealth, resembling gold bars.
- Sticky Rice Cake (年糕): Higher success each year, as “nian gao”(年糕) sounds like “year high.”(高升)
- Mandarins and Oranges: Good fortune and abundance.
What gifts to give when visiting families and friends, other than hong bao?
Fruit baskets filled with mandarins, oranges, apples, or pineapples are among the most popular gifts, as these fruits symbolize good luck, prosperity, and success. A traditional sweet box containing dried candied fruits, nuts, and seeds is also a great option, representing happiness and abundance.
For elders, tea or tea sets make thoughtful gifts, signifying respect and hospitality. Another meaningful gift is Chinese New Year decorations, such as banners and paper cuttings with auspicious phrases and blessings. When I was young, we would receive beautifully decorated banners from friends and family each year, adding to the festive spirit of the holiday.
What kinds of gifts you CANNOT give?
- Books: The sound of book (書 shū) in Chinese is the same sound as to lose (輸).
- Clock: Same as book. Clock (鐘 zhōng) has the same sound of ending (終), meaning to end the life.
- Pears: Pear (梨 lí) sounds the same as separation (離), symbolizing parting and separating from families or friends.
- Sharp objects: Like needles, scissors, or nail cutters are to be avoided. Traditionally, sharp objects means to cut off good fortune and wealth.
What is the meaning behind Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is a celebration of family, renewal, and good fortune. It marks the start of the lunar new year and signifies letting go of the old to welcome prosperity, happiness, and success.
Rooted in traditions and ancient legends, such as the story of the beast Nian, the holiday features rituals like decorating with red, setting off firecrackers, and sharing symbolic meals.
It’s a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and embracing the hope and growth that the arrival of spring brings, making it one of the most meaningful celebrations in Chinese culture.
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