So what is Chinese New Year anyway?

Let’s get pedantic. I knew nothing about this holiday. Also called Spring Festival, it is the most important one in China. It’s two weeks long. It begins the new lunisolar year, so the date varies quite a bit by our western calendar. I won’t give history (you can get that here) but I thought the activities would be interesting.

New Year’s Eve: Clean the house to sweep away ill-fortune. Lots of red and gold is everywhere since this symbolizes the arrival of luck, happiness and prosperity. Get a haircut ahead of time as it’s bad luck if you do it New Year’s Day. Have a big feast with family and BIG fireworks, although the noise begins several days ahead of time. The fireworks go crazy through the evening but really go nuts at midnight. For some, especially the older generations, the firecrackers are to scare away evil spirits from your home.

New Year’s Day: Kids wake up early and get money from parents in red envelopes. Make sure it’s an even amount of since odd amounts are given during funerals. I think the excitement the kids feel is akin to Christmas for us. It’s a day to reconcile and forget all grudges. They don’t really count years continuously. This year may be 4708, 4709 or 4648 depending on the reckoning (back to the Yellow Emperor). This is the year of the Rabbit (there are 12 animals). Today you visit the most senior members of your extended family (typically the husband’s parents/grandparents). Lion and/or dragon dances! (Just like Nutcracker, AAB friends).

Second Day: Married daughters visit their birth parents.

Third Day: It’s bad luck to socialize or visit relatives or friends because it’s ‘red mouth’ day which refers to the ‘God of Blazing Wrath’. Reminds me of the old saying “Visiting friends or family are like fish – by the third day you have to throw them out” : )

Fifth Day: More firecrackers and dumpling-eating day.

Seventh Day: The common man’s birthday, when everyone grows one year older. And you eat salad.

Eighth Day: Another family dinner to celebrate the eve of the birth of the Jade Emperor. AND you have to go back to work. All business and government agencies reopen if they haven’t already.

Ninth Day: Pray to the Jade Emperor of Heaven, since it’s his birthday. (Interesting parallel, huh?)

Tenth Day: More Jade Emperor celebration.

Thirteenth Day: No meat, only vegetables so you can clean out your system from so much rich feasting for the last two weeks! Worship General Guan Yu, the Chinese God of War. He was a real person, we see small shrines to him everywhere.

Fifteenth Day is The Lantern Festival. Eat rice dumplings. People walk the street carrying lighted lanterns and another big fireworks night. It’s over!