How much do you actually know about Chinese New Year? It is the most significant holiday in China and now is celebrated almost all over the world. The festival lasts 15 days and all people have days off, which they spend with their nearest.
Before the New Year starts, all members of the families clean their houses, sweeping all the bad luck from the previous year. After that they decorate doors and windows with couplets, where are good wishes written for relatives .
Chinese New Year reminds us the legend about a big scary dragon Nian. According to the legend, this monster sneaked into the village and scared everyone inside. People were frightened and fled away, hiding in mountains. It repeated many years, until one wise man told about three things that would scare away the beast. They were red color, fire and loud noise. Thus, one night Chinese people used all prescribed weapon against Nian and the dragon ran away and never came back. Now all these essential elements retain in traditional celebration of Chinese New Year: people wear red costumes and prepare red decorations, light up lanterns and let off firecrackers to scare monster Nian.
Family reunion for Chinese people on New Year’s Eve is the most important. Entire family gathers together, cook a lot of dishes and have a dinner. They usually cook dumplings that have unusual shape, which resembles money in ancient times, and noodles, which signify ”a long life”. Besides, one more meaningful dish on the table is New Year Cake made from rice. The pronunciation of this cake (niangao) means ”better life in new year”. It also symbolizes wealth and success.
Children like the festival because of the red envelopes full of money. They should bring good luck and ward off wicked spirits.
The holiday is also associated with especial Calendar. Chinese Lunar Calendar is based on combination of lunar and solar movements. Therefore, the dates of Chinese New Year are adjusted every year. The Calendar also helps to identify which day is better for crucial changes in the life.
Each Chinese New Year is characterized by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac. 2016 is the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the cycle. The next Year of the Monkey will be in 2028. As we know monkey is a quick, shrewd and mischievous animal. That’s why act thoughtfully and try to outsmart monkey, if you really want to be successful in all your beginnings in this year!
If you like the the way of celebration of Chinese New Year in its native country you should definitely learn Chinese language and travel to China to dive in its beautiful traditions! Our tutors would be happy to help you with this!
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