Chinese Lunar New Year: discover the traditions, symbols and meaning of this ancient holiday

The Chinese calendar is of lunisolar type, that is to say that the months are lunar and that the 1st day of each month (of 29 or 30 days) corresponds to the new moon (and the 15th day to the full moon). As 12 lunar months do not represent a solar year (11 days are missing), seven months are added over a period of 19 years to keep the year close to the solar year. The Chinese New Year is celebrated each year on the second new moon and marks the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar. For the Lunar New Year, or "Spring Festival" in China, billions of people return to their families to celebrate the new year.

What is the spring festival?

Spring Festival, also called Chinese Lunar New Year, is the most important festival for the Chinese. It is a 15-day festival that begins on the first day of the Lunar New Year and ends with the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year is a festive event in countries with large populations of Han Chinese, such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. It is also celebrated by Koreans and Vietnamese.

In China, the Lunar New Year is a time for family reunion. People return to their hometowns to be with their families. They eat together at reunion dinners and give each other red envelopes filled with money. New Year's Day is also a holiday in China.

How did this party come about?

The festival dates back to 2000 BC, when people worshipped the gods and ancestors in early spring. At that time, farmers prayed for good crops and a prosperous year. They also exchanged gifts with their family and friends. Later, Emperor Yu ordered the first day of lunar January to be the official day of the new year.

Chinese New Year 2023: traditions, celebrations, and customs of the Lunar New Year

The Chinese Lunar New Year is a 15-day festival that commemorates the arrival of the new year according to the lunar calendar. This festival dates back to 2000 BC and is celebrated by people in countries with a large Han Chinese population, such as China, Taiwan, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

The most important tradition of the Chinese Lunar New Year is the reunion dinner. Families return to their hometowns to reunite and eat traditional dishes. Another important tradition is the giving of red envelopes filled with money. Red is considered a lucky color in China and the money in the envelope is supposed to bring luck to the recipient.

Many businesses close during the Chinese Lunar New Year, as it is a time for family reunions. Many people also take vacation days during this period. The streets are decorated with red lanterns and parades and fireworks are organized to celebrate the New Year.

What are the traditions of Chinese New Year?

One of the most important traditions of Chinese New Year is the home decoration. People usually hang red lanterns and banners, and display images of Chinese zodiac animals.

 



 

Another tradition is to organize a family dinner. The meal is usually very hearty and includes dishes considered lucky. For example, long noodles represent long life, and shrimp symbolize good fortune.

 

People also celebrate Chinese New Year by setting off fireworks and firecrackers. It is believed that this brings good luck and drives away evil spirits.

One of the most popular traditions is giving red envelopes containing money. It is an act of generosity and a way to wish someone a happy new year.

 



Finally, many people are involved in traditional dances like the dragon dance. These dances are supposed to bring luck and prosperity to those who watch them.

 

 

What is the date of the Chinese New Year 2023?

The date of the Chinese New Year 2023 is set for Sunday, January 22, 2023. This date is calculated according to the lunar calendar.

 

What is the astrological sign of the Chinese New Year 2023?

The zodiac sign for Chinese New Year 2023 is the rabbit. The rabbit is a symbol of fertility, and people born under this sign are thought to be kind-hearted and gentle. They are also believed to be very lucky, so it is considered a good sign to be born in the year of the rabbit.

 

What is the element for Chinese New Year 2023?

The element of the Chinese New Year 2023 is water. Water is associated with wisdom, and people born in the year of the Water Rabbit are considered intelligent and quick-witted. They are also said to have strong intuition.

 

Chinese New Year: why an animal as a symbol?

One of the reasons animals are used as symbols for Chinese New Year is that they are associated with certain characteristics that people hope to emulate in the new year. For example, the dragon is considered a symbol of power and strength, while the rabbit is considered a symbol of fertility and luck.

The animal symbols of the Chinese zodiac represent different characteristics thought to be common to people born in that year. For example, the rat is considered intelligent and ambitious, while the dragon is considered powerful and courageous.

 

Lunar New Year 2023 meaning of the Water Rabbit

The choice of the animal as a symbol is also based on the dominant element of the year. The water element is associated with emotions and intuition, two qualities that would be particularly strong in people born in the year of the Water Rabbit.

Why do we celebrate Chinese New Year?

 



Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate the arrival of a new year and to wish good luck and prosperity for the coming year. It is also a time for family reunions, as many people return to their hometowns to celebrate with their loved ones.

The holiday is celebrated by people in many countries around the world, including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

 

Which countries celebrate the Lunar New Year?

The Lunar New Year is celebrated by people in many countries around the world including China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

 

How does the Chinese calendar work: Why does the New Year's Day change and shift?

The Chinese calendar is always linked to the cycle of the seasons. The Chinese year begins in spring and has 12 months. Every three years, a thirteenth month is added which has no fixed date. It is added and calculated every year according to the seasons. The Chinese calendar is also based on the element of the year, and the element of the Chinese New Year 2023 is water.

 

How long does the Chinese New Year last?

Chinese New Year is a 15-day festival that celebrates the arrival of a new year. The date of the festival changes every year, and in 2023, it will be celebrated from Sunday, January 22, 2023 until February 5, 2023: this festive period corresponds to the new moon in increasing trend until its next peak which will be the full moon.

 

How to say Happy New Year in Chinese

新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)

 

Why do we celebrate the Lunar New Year?

One of the reasons why people celebrate the Lunar New Year is that it is a time for family reunions. Many people return to their hometowns to celebrate with their relatives on this occasion. This holiday is also a time for people to wish each other good luck and prosperity for the coming year.

Lunar New Year is a traditional holiday celebrated in many Asian countries. It marks the beginning of a new year according to the lunar calendar. It is often associated with religious and spiritual practices, as well as specific culinary customs. Strong symbols of the Chinese Lunar New Year include the dragon, the dancing lion, red lanterns and firecrackers. Throughout this article, we'll be exploring these different aspects in detail, to better understand the cultural richness of this age-old celebration.