Lunar New Year: Chinese Traditions
Written by: Lillie
Being Chinese, it's easier for me to describe how Chinese people celebrate Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival, as it is called in China. This year, Lunar New Year's Day is on February 9.
The Spring Festival is the most important festival of the year. It is a time for reunion and represents new beginnings and renewal. In the past, people had very little to eat. Lunar New Year was one of the few time they could have a feast, so it was looked forward to.
How some of the traditions came about is uncertain, but there are many stories and legends to explain why some are done.
People prepare for Lunar New Year weeks in advance to the actual festival. Red paper couplets are pasted or pinned on front doors before the festival. On these couplets are usually written lucky phrases to bring good luck in the new year. A common one is, "Peace be with those who enter and exit [this home]." Often, these phrases are written in gold.
Red and gold are the predominant colours during the festival. Red is considered to be lucky, and gold symbolises wealth. The character for "luck" is placed upside down on doors as a play on words. "Upside down" nearly sounds like "arrive", so "luck arrives".* Red lanterns are hung on occasions like the New Year. Firecrackers are let off to scare away evil, drive away illnesses and wish for peace and security.
On the last night of the old year, the eve of the New Year, the whole family gathers together to eat dinner. It used to be whole villages, as the whole village would be related to each other in some way. Nowadays, the family reunions are not quite so large, but are nevertheless true to the name of "reunion". Particular foods are eaten to ensure good luck for the new year. For example, fish is eaten, as "fish" and "leftovers" sound similar. This is to achieve the aim of "having leftovers every year". People who have eaten their fill can afford to have leftovers.
Below is a day by day guide to how Lunar New Year used to be celebrated, and sometimes still is. The festival traditionally lasts for fifteen days. Depending on the country, it may be a public holiday for three to seven days, if it is considered to be an official festival.
Day 1: Offerings of incense are made to family ancestors to honour them. Families used to have tables in their home where ancestral tablets or portraits would be placed. The Chinese folk god of happiness would be offered incense as well, in hopes that there would be happiness in the new year.
After praying to their forefathers, people would walk out of doors in an auspicious direction. People would carry lanterns and let off firecrackers while they were going out. (Although it is illegal now to let off firecrackers because of the dangers, in some very rural, isolated villages, firecrackers are still let off at home.)
If they came across a temple, joss sticks would be burnt inside to pray for a good year.
Visits are made to family. Greetings, such as wishing old people longevity and good health, students progress in their studies, and happiness and prosperity to others, are made. Red packets with money inside are given to children and young, unmarried people. Older people may give their married children red packets as well, so the practice of giving money is from older generations to younger ones.
Day 2: This day is also for visits. Traditionally, married women return to their maiden homes to renew ties with parents and siblings. People would try to attract the god of wealth into their homes with pictures, in an attempt to "draw in wealth and treasures".
Day 3: Many consider it bad luck to make visits on the third day. This night is the night when rats get married. Lanterns would not be lit until late and grain and salt would be scattered on the floor to feed the rats. People retired to bed early in order to allow the rats to enjoy themselves.
Day 4: In the afternoon, people would try to attract deities from heaven to earth. Offerings of incense and food were made, and firecrackers were let off. Pictures of deities were burnt to invite them to earth.
Day 5: Before this day, trash was not allowed to be taken out. After this day, rubbish can be disposed of. (I was not aware of this until I found it in a book; I suppose it is to avoid dirtying the new year.) Offerings are removed on this day.
People look at the weather to determine what the year will be like. If it is clear, then it will be a peaceful year.
It is also the birthday of the gods of the five directions. Businesses hang red cloth in front as an offering.
Day 7: On this day, it is believed that human beings were created.
Day 8: Respects were paid to the god of stars and offerings were made at night. Temple fairs would be attended, people would look at flowers and appreciate them, and go hiking to high places. Peach flowers are considered particularly lucky if they bloom on New Year's Day. Peaches symbolise longevity.
Day 9: This is the birthday of the Jade Emperor, the emperor of the gods. It is a day of paying respects. People are expected to keep tranquil on this day to avoid offending heaven.
Day 15: Dragon dances are held. Dragons have always played an important part in Chinese culture, and the emperors used to be called "dragons" as well.**
As you can guess, many of these traditional aspects are no longer observed and some things are done on some days when they would not have been done long ago.
Have any comments? Want to submit an article for the Pink Ink? You can PM Sapphire Faerie or myself, Neomail me, or email me!
Notes from an editor:
* In Mandarin, the sound "daò" can be both the word for "upside down" and "arrive". Chinese is full of homonymns.
** The last day of the Spring Festival is also known as the Yuanxiao Festival. Yuanxiao is a type of sweet dumpling.