Festivals are always the best time of the year. Preparations are going on, people return to their hometowns, families gather for extravagant meals, streets bustle with people and homes are decorated with lights. Just a couple of weeks ago, the whole world rang in the calendar New Year together. It was a time after COVID when things were a little better, and people made the most of the given opportunity. Now, another festival is around the corner. The Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year arrives on 22 January, and marks the beginning of the most important traditional festival in China.
The Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival typically falls between 21 January and 20 February, depending on the lunar calendar. The celebration lasts for 15 days, with the first day being the most important one. In 2023, the preparations for the new year began on 14 January. The preparations will continue till New Year’s eve. On 22 January, the Spring festival will officially begin and will go on till 1 February. The festivities end with the Lantern festival, preparations for which begins on 2 February. The Lantern Festival is then held on 5 February.
This is a time for families to come together and celebrate. People typically return to their hometowns to be with loved ones. They decorate their houses with red lanterns and couplets to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. The colour red is considered lucky in Chinese culture, so it’s common to see red decorations everywhere during the New Year.
The Chinese New Year is also a time for fireworks, lion and dragon dances, and other cultural performances. These are meant to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck to the community.
All you need to know about the Chinese New Year
The Chinese New Year is a time of renewal and hope for people. It’s a time to put the past behind and look forward to a new year full of possibilities. It’s a time to be with loved ones and celebrate the richness and beauty of Chinese culture.
The folklore behind the festival
The legend says that thousands of years ago a monster named Nian (Year in English) came to attack the villagers at the beginning of every new year. The villagers chased the monster away by making loud noises, using bright lights, and particularly by using the red colour. The beast was apparently scared of these things and it would run away. This is how the tradition of Chinese New Year started and it is now popularly celebrated across China.
What is the Chinese New Year animal for 2023?
2023 is the year of the Rabbit. However, the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac are Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig.
How long is the Chinese New Year holiday?