Every year, millions of people around the world celebrate unique festivals rich in tradition, shows and spectacles. Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is celebrated all over the world, even by people who do not trace their heritage back to China.
In China, the Chinese New Year marks the end of the coldest days on the calendar and welcomes spring with new beginnings and the start of the planting season. This spectacular holiday follows the lunar calendar, so there is no set date for the event. The lunar new year begins between January 21 and February 20 of each year and lasts about 15 days. In 2021, the celebration begins on Saturday, January 25th.
Fireworks are an important part of Chinese New Year festivals. According to Chinese mythology, a monster named “Nian” appeared every New Year’s Eve, forcing people to hide in their home. A brave boy fought Nian using fireworks and the next day the audience celebrated his survival by doing even more fireworks. Fireworks became a key component of the celebrations from that moment on.
Some other traditions associated with the party include the burning of counterfeit paper money and gold bars printed in honor of deceased ancestors. It is believed that these offerings will bring fortune and good luck to the ancestors of the afterlife. Other customs include completely cleaning the houses before the dawn of the new year, welcoming the family to a large gathering, and avoiding activities considered taboo. These activities may include cutting your hair, using scissors and other sharp objects, arguing, saying bad luck words, or breaking things. Children receive money tucked inside red envelopes to help transfer the fortune of the elderly to the younger generations. In addition to the red envelopes, homes and decorations are adorned in red. It was intended that the color red was key to scaring Nian and causing luck.
Another component of the Chinese New Year is the Chinese zodiac. One animal represents all year round and there are 12 different animals. The animal under which a person is born can help decide their career, health and relationship status. 2021 is the year of the rat. The rat is associated with wealth and surpluses and is also known to be an intelligent and fast thinker. The rat is successful, but is content to live a quiet life.
The Chinese believe that your good mind nest, or the year of your zodiac animal, is the most unfortunate for you, as it is a year of rebirth and a time when evil spirits can easily take children. Wearing red all year round is a defense against that. Those born in 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 and 2008 are all born under the rat.
The Chinese New Year is a spectacle that both Chinese and non-Chinese can watch.