CNY FACTS!
Chinese New Year is an important holiday in the Chinese culture. However, the celebration is not just limited to the Chinese as others can join the joyous occasion too. Here's some amazing CNY traditions you must know.
FACT #1- It is also known as the Spring Festival
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The Chinese New Year is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring and what it brings along, even though the holiday falls in winter season. It complements the beginning of the season for planting and harvests while symbolizing new beginnings and fresh starts. It is more also commonly referred to it as the Lunar New Year in some countries like the two Koreas and Vietnam.
FACT #2- There is no set date for CNY
There is no exact date for the Chinese New Year, but it generally falls between January 21st and February 22nd. If we are to base on it, the Chinese New Year falls on January 21st and lasts until the full moon on February 15th. However, the dates of the celebrations vary when we look at it on the Solar (Gregorian) list, but it usually falls between February 11th to February 26th. In 2021, the Chinese New Year will fall on February 12th. Check out our Chinese New Year Calendar for a full list of the events.
China officially uses the it, but the significance of the it is still apparent. Some people even calculate their age based on the it.
FACT #3- It is a day reserved for praying to the gods
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The Chinese New Year was traditionally intended as a solemn day to pray to the gods for a good planting season and a bountiful harvest. These wishes were significant because ancient China relied heavily on their crops to sustain life as an agrarian nation
FACT #4- It's a day to fight off monsters
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Chinese folktales are some of the fascinating aspects of the Chinese New Year. One of the most famous legends is about a monster called Nian. It would terrorize villages on New Year’s Eve as inhabitants would run to the mountains to seek refuge. One boy found a way to scare the creature by setting off firecrackers. The following day, the people celebrated their survival by cranking up even more fire crackers. Since then, fire crackers have become a significant part of the Chinese New Year celebrations.
FACT #5- It is the most extended Chinese holiday
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The Chinese New Year technically lasts for 15 days. However, the celebrations begin on New Year’s Eve, adding another day. One could also argue that the bash begin earlier in December of the Lunar New Year during the Laba Festival. That makes it about 40 days of merry-making in total!
Traditionally, they must spend time with their families and can only go out after the fifth day. The first few days are national festivities, and most of the stores close. For this reason, they buy
FACT #6- Showering, sweeping & taking out the thrash is not allowed.
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You are not allowed to take a shower on New Year’s Day. You are also prohibited from cleaning the floor or taking out the trash until the 5th. In Chinese culture, these actions are equivalent to sweeping away good luck. But I think the showering part is not that serious la. Who doesn't wanna shower on New Year and put on fresh pairs of cloths?
FACT #7- Children receive red packets
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Similar to other cultures, children receive during Chinese festivities. They often get red pouches or red pockets that contain luck money. This tradition represents the transfer of fortune from the elders to their kids. However, they can also give them to friends, colleagues, and superiors. Technology has also paved the way for the development of digital red envelopes. They enjoy sending them in group chats to see members compete for the money. This activity is referred to as
FACT #8- CNY desserts have special meaning
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Many Chinese New Year desserts are associated with special meanings. These meanings are usually puns to their names. Tangyuan, for example, is a favorite Chinese New Year dessert. It translates to soup balls, but it sounds similar to Tuan yuan, which means reunion. Meanwhile, Fa
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FACT #10- CNY colour is Red
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The Chinese adorn their homes with red decorations on Chinese New Year. If you are familiar with the legend of Nian, you would know that firecrackers weren’t the only things that stopped it from terrorizing the village. The creature also trembled at the sight of anything red. It is common to find red lanterns and strings of red chili hung up on doors and windows during the Chinese New Year. They have also become accustomed to wearing red clothing for the festival.
FACT #11- CNY end with Lantern Festival
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The Yuanxiao Festival or Lantern Festival falls on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. It is dedicated to the household as well as partying and freedom. In ancient China, girls were prohibited from going out of their homes by themselves. But on the Lantern Festival, they were allowed to roam freely to enjoy the sights and interact with others. This story is the reason why the festival serves as the real Valentine’s Day in China for some Chinese.
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