Originating from an ancient Chinese lunar calendar, the Lunar New Year celebrates the veneration of deities, ancestors, and relatives who have passed away. While this holiday is secular, it remains deeply connected to Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and various ancient folk practices.
Those who celebrate will clean their homes to eliminate anything unlucky, known as “huiqi,” and families will gather for special feasts. Children are given money in bright red envelopes, and people celebrate by setting off fireworks and firecrackers.
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is one of China’s most important and widely celebrated holidays among Chinese communities worldwide. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year based on the lunisolar Chinese calendar, typically between January 21 and February 20.
The holiday signifies the start of a new year and is a time for families to unite, honor ancestors, and wish for good fortune, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. Each year is associated with one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac, and various traditions and customs are observed to ward off bad luck and welcome positive energy.
It’s a time of joy, festivity, and renewal, where people decorate their homes with red lanterns, give “hongbao” (red envelopes with money) to children, enjoy special meals, set off fireworks, and participate in cultural activities like dragon and lion dances.
The festival’s significance lies in its emphasis on family unity, cultural heritage, and the hope for a better and brighter future.