Chinese New Year | Introduction To Chinese New Year

Ethnic Chinese all over the world celebrate Chinese New Year, commonly known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. Out of the various festivities celebrated by the Chinese, this is the longest and most important festival of all. It is a time where families and friends living in different parts of the country or the world gather to celebrate it together. It is also a time to reflect on the real meaning of ancient customs and traditions. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in countries where there is a fairly large Chinese population, such as China, HongKong, Taiwan, Singapore.

How Chinese New Year Came About According To Legend

There are many myths as to how Chinese New Year came about. Accordingly to the most common legend in Ancient China, in the beginning of every year, a mythical beast (called Nian) would come out and devour livestock, crops and villagers, especially children. This went on for many years. One day, a villager successfully frightened the monster away by setting off firecrackers, banging loud cymbals and flying bright red coloured banners & lanterns. From then onwards, every family does these to ensure the monster never returns. The tradition carries on and Chinese New Year is still celebrated in the same manner.

Chinese New Year Is Also Known As Spring Festival

Chinese New Year falls on the date marking the commencement of Spring and thus it is also called the ‘Spring Festival’. The festival is signified by the phrase 'da di huey chun' which means 'earth coming back to life'. It symbolises another new season of ploughing and sowing and is celebrated with abundant food and drinks.

The signficance of Chinese New Year is renewal. All the misfortunes, bad luck, sicknesses, debts and poor health of last year are removed. We then welcome a new year filled with good fortune, good luck, good health, prosperity and happiness.

Chinese New Year And The Lunar Calendar

Chinese New Year dates are determined by the Lunar Calendar, which has a twelve-year cycle. A key characteristic of the Lunar Calendar is that it names each of the twelve years after an animal in the following order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. Chinese New Year 2009 is the year of the Ox, 2010 will be the year of the Tiger, and so forth. According to popular Chinese belief, the animal ruling the year in which a person is born tremendously influences his behaviour and personality traits. For example, people born in the Year of the Ox are generally strong, dependable, patient and loyal.

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