Chinese New Year - What it’s all about
Chinese New Year (also known as the Lunar and Spring Festival) is the most important of the traditional holidays. It begins on January 1st and it celebrated on the first day of the first month of their calendar. This is the day of the second moon after the winter solstice. Chinese New Year is a major holiday not only for those of that ethnic group, but also for Mongolians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Nepalese, and the Bhutanese because they were influenced by their culture in regards to their religious and philosophical view along with their language and general culture. Chinese New Year is also a time when the largest migration takes place and people from all around the world return to their homes on the eve of Chinese New Year to have reunion dinners with their families.
On the days before Chinese New Year celebrations begin, people from China clean their house thoroughly. They believe that cleaning sweeps away any bad luck they may encounter and makes their homes ready for good luck to make its arrival. All brooms and dust pants are put away on the Eve so that the good luck cannot be swept away. Some people even paint their homes, doors and windowpanes red. They also decorate their homes with paper cutouts of phrases that speak of “happiness,” “longevity,” and “wealth.”
The traditional Chinese New Year reunion dinner includes chicken. Fish is also included but isn’t eaten up entirely. The remaining is usually stored overnight. A type of algae (black hair-like) is featured in dishes. The first day of the Chinese New Year is set aside for welcoming the gods of the heavens and the earth. Most people do not eat meat on the first day because it is believed it will ensure them a long and happy life. There are also gifts given on this day from the married senior members of the family to the unmarried younger members which consist of money. They also take heed to certain superstitions during this time such as eating candy to ensure a “sweet” Chinese New Year, not talking about death because it is considered inauspicious and buying a pair of shoes and pants. There are other traditions observed on each day following the first day such as the dragon, and that they specifically wear red clothing to scare away the evil spirits and bad fortune and there are specific greetings that are used.