Chinese New Year
Author: Jing N.
Level: 7
Instructor: Veronica S.
Photo Credit: ongkachakon / 123RF Stock Photo
Article ID: 709 [Celebration- Winter 2017]
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important Chinese traditional celebration at the turn of the Chinese calendar. Traditionally, celebrations last from the eve of the festival to the Lantern Festival, which is more than 15 days. There are seven days off, which is the longest festival in China. The Chinese New Year is centuries old and gains significance because of local customs and its implied meanings.
Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of this festival vary widely. Generally, the eve of the festival is an occasion for Chinese families to gather together for the annual reunion dinner. In the North, the salty dumpling is the essential dish at the reunion dinner, while in the South, the rice glue ball is indispensable. Dumplings symbolize wealth because of their shape which resembles Chinese ancient money. It is also a tradition for every family to thoroughly clean the house, which means that all ill-fortune is swept away, and make way for the incoming good luck. Since 1982, the CCTV New Year’s Gala has been broadcasted in China four hours before the start of the New Year and it lasts over five hours. People will be awake to countdown to the New Year. In the early morning of the first day of the Spring Festival, windows and doors are decorated with red color paper-cuts. Kids will get new clothes and red envelopes. People coming across, whether they know each other or not, will say “Happy New Year” to each other. What’s the most interesting part, the evenings are the time for fireworks.
The reason why I liked this festival the most in my childhood is that no matter wherever I lived, I went back to see my grandparents, and used to hang out with my cousins and other relatives. Besides, my grandparents would prepare a lot of delicious food and give us red envelopes. The extended family enjoyed the festival and really spent a good time playing together. What makes this family reunion festival more precious is the fact that it takes place only once a year.