Happy Chinese New Year!

Image credit: Rappler

With 春節 (the Chinese New Year) just around the corner, this article will tell you all you need to know about this major holiday. Being Korean-Chinese myself, we almost always celebrate the New Year with my grandparents. I’m pretty sure I’m a rooster, which is cool as this is the Year of the Rooster! This year, the Chinese New Year begins tomorrow, Saturday, January 28.

History

In stories and legends, the beginning of the Festival was started by a beast named  年獸 (Nian). He had a weakness for humans, especially children, apparently. One year, the villagers decided to attempt to hide from the beast, to save themselves and their children. Right before they were about to leave, an old man suddenly appeared and told them he would stay the night and try to extract revenge on the beast. Needless to say, the villagers thought he was crazy. At night, when the villagers were hiding, the old man donned red clothes, hung red streams of paper everywhere, and set off firecrackers. The next day, the villagers were shocked when they returned to the village. The assumed the old man was a deity, and he told them that the 年獸 was afraid of red and loud noises. Ever since then, the 年獸 has never visited. The 年獸 was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu, an ancient Taoist monk. The 年獸 became his mount.

Festivities

“Red couplets and red lanterns are displayed on the door frames and light up the atmosphere. The air is filled with strong Chinese emotions. In stores in Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and other cities, products of traditional Chinese style have started to lead fashion trend[s]. Buy yourself a Chinese-style coat, get your kids tiger-head hats and shoes, and decorate your home with some beautiful red Chinese knots, then you will have an authentic Chinese-style Spring Festival.”

— Xinwen Lianbo, January 2001, quoted by Li Ren, “Imagining China in the Era of Global Consumerism and Local Consciousness”

There are fifteen days in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. Each day represents different meanings, and each day induces different festivities. Here’s a brief overview of them:

FIRST DAY: This day is used to honor the deities and gods. This is also a day to honor ancestors and elders. Some people avoid meat. 

SECOND DAY: Married daughters are supposed to visit their families. Some believe that this is the birthday of all dogs and reward them with special treats. 

THIRD DAY: This day is considered a great time to have your fortune told. No comment.

FOURTH DAY: This is a relatively normal day. “Spring Dinners” kick off, and business returns to normal.

FIFTH DAY: People eat dumplings to celebrate the God of Wealth’s birthday. It is common belief that if you shoot fireworks, you will catch the attention of Guan Yu, to ensure good luck.

SEVENTH DAY*: This is the day where everybody grows one year older. Again, some people don’t eat meat.

EIGHTH DAY: People eat family dinners on this day, and businesses open up again. Approaching 12:00, people will get ready to celebrate the Jade Emperor’s birthday.

NINTH DAY: The birthday of the Jade Emperor. Offerings are (ahem) offered up to gods. A popular offering is sugar cane.

TENTH DAY: The Jade Emperor’s party is celebrated today.

THIRTEENTH DAY*: People will eat all-vegetarian food. This is the day to honor the god of war, Guan Yu. He was supposed to be really crafty, but he died when the enemy tricked and be-headed him, so I dunno.

FIFTEENTH DAY*: This day is considered the “Lantern Festival.” This is the final day of celebrations. This day, in some countries, is almost the same as American Valentine’s Day. Single women throw oranges down streams with their number on it, and single men… Eat the oranges? Again, no comment.

*I’m sorry about the sixth, eleventh, twelfth, and fourteenth days. I don’t celebrate those days and I couldn’t find ANYTHING on those days.

So, that’s the Chinese New Year! As I stated before, this year is the Year of the Rooster, and I’ve CONFIRMED that I am a rooster. (Yay me!) Thank you for reading!

About the Author

mchiang
I am a 6th grader with interesting hobbies. I like reading, writing, video games, and mild cheeses. Is fluent in English, Pig Latin, Canadian, British, and Australian.
Skip to toolbar