Chinese New Year begins after the second new moon after the winter solstice, and ends on the next full moon. The holiday lasts for fifteen days, and all celebrate it. There is no school, no work, and a lot of fun. Many of the long traditions involve shooting off fireworks, gift giving, and eating special meals for good luck. Streets are decorated to keep evil spirits at bay. Hanging lanterns, couplets and paper cuttings are the normal decorum around the holiday. This is an in-depth look at what the holiday is all about.

How did the holiday begin?

There is no solid evidence to explain how the holiday started, but there are many different stories. A popular one involves an evil beast named Nian. When the name Nian is derived, it means ‘year’. It was said that he came once a year to eat children and terrify the villagers. As the villagers hid and feared for their lives they finally discovered that he hates loud noises and the color red. The villagers took advantage of that and held loud festivals, hung red decorations, and lit fires to keep Nian away. They have done this ever since and continue to do it today which they call their Chinese New Year.

What kind of traditions are celebrated on Chinese New Year?

Families stay up until midnight to welcome in the new year. They shoot off fireworks at twelve to ward off evil spirits, to remember the evil Nian and to celebrate the new year. But before that occurs, a huge family dinner takes place. Fish is eaten for good luck and is usually served with dumplings, niangao, (New Year’s cake) and tangyuan (rice balls).

What are Chinese zodiac signs?

The Jade emperor chose to select these twelve animals to be his guards. The twelve animals took place in a race to determine the order of the guards. A recap of the race can be found on this website https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/story.htm. The twelve year cycle determines which type of people will have a lucky and great year, based on which year you were born. The following twelve animals are in the order of the cycle: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. The cycle states that 2019 is the year of the pig. If you don’t know what your sign is, visit this website https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/ to find out.

Why are red envelopes are handed out during Chinese New Year?

The most common gifts during this holiday are red envelopes, know in China as ‘yasui qian’. Due to their red color, they are said to bring a safe, happy and lucky year. Money can also be found in the envelope. It is impolite to open the envelope in front of the person that gave it to you, since each time it is passed on, it is supposed to bring more happiness and blessings.

This is where you can read the old legend on why they are passed down: https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-legends.htm

How do we support and acknowledge Chinese New Year in the United States?

There are tons of special places across the U.S that celebrate the holiday. The number of China towns that are located across the United States is unbelievable. Parties take place throughout the holiday in almost every one of the towns. The NBA pays respect to the holiday every year. Throughout the month, some teams wear special jerseys that display Chinese lettering and words on them. China has the worlds’s biggest international fan base.

Chinese New Year has an amazing history that very few actually know about. It is sad that the country’s history and traditions are not widely spread among people living elsewhere. However, this is only a sample of how Chinese New Year is celebrated. There are still many more old legends and unique traditions that should be recognized throughout the world. Those legends may have more meaning than one may think. Happy New Year everybody!