Traditional countdown to Chinese New Year
By Amy He// Staff Writer
People have been wishing each other a Happy New Year.
No, not for January 1st, but for Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year.
In China and in ethnic communities around the world, Lunar New Year is the most important and most festive holiday of the year. Through centuries of China’s agrarian tradition, this was the one period when farmers could rest from their work in the fields. Family members from near and far would travel to be with loved ones in time to usher out the old year and welcome in the new, with great celebratory flourish.
With a calendar dating from the third millennium BCE, the Chinese people have for thousands of years been building on ancient customs of New Year celebrations. Although they may vary across regions, many of these customs are still observed.
Unlike the Western New Year, there is no set date for Chinese New Year. It ranges from January 21 to February 20. In 2019, it will occur on February 5th.
It was originally a ceremonial day to pray to gods for a good planting and harvest season. As an agrarian society, the harvest was everything. There are also many myths based on Chinese New Year. According to one legend, there was a monster named Nian. It would come about every New Year’s Eve. Most people would hide in their homes. But one boy was brave enough to fight him off using firecrackers. The next day, people celebrated their survival by setting off even more firecrackers. And that practice became a crucial part of the Chinese New Year.
Children are given traditional red envelopes containing money. In fact, the Chinese decorate everything in red for Chinese New Year. Red is known as the color that will scare away the monster and all the bad luck. The Chinese hang up red lanterns and strings of chili peppers, paste red paper onto doors and windows. New clothes are also believed to bring good luck and start over fresh. All items have to be bought before the New Year for all the superstitions to come true.
On New Year’s Eve, families go around the household and hand out red envelopes to all the children. Red envelopes have to contain even amount of money in there. Then all men sit on the couch around the living room, with tea in hand, and talks about the past year while the women in the family will be in the kitchen preparing for dinner. Then when the night comes, everyone sits around the dining room table for the biggest meal of the year.
The New Year Gala is a popular show that features small theater productions, songs and dances. All performances have a meaning of family. Some plays bring audiences tears, and some plays make you laugh. But most importantly, you end up having a lot of fun watching the gala. As the New Year approaches, there is a countdown until it is officially New Year. Everyone leaves the household before midnight. Everyone sets off the firecrackers and fireworks at exactly midnight. When the clock turns 12, China becomes super colorful. Loud noises everywhere. When all the fireworks die, the citizens of China either go to sleep or go out for a good night.
Chinese New Year is a time for all families to come together and appreciate the time together. Chinese New Year is a time for all workers to relax. Chinese New Year is a time when everyone feels safe
The Chinese hang bright red lanterns throughout their towns to commemorate the new year. Photo by readersdigest.com