Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated festivals in the world, with more than a billion Chinese people partaking in the annual celebrations. How much do you think you know about the upcoming festive season? Read more to find out!
1. It is a day for fighting monsters and praying to the Gods
According to one legend, a ferocious man-eating beast named Nian (?) would come about every New Year?s Eve. Nian represented bad luck and hence, needed to be warded off. Acting on the advice of a wise sage, villagers used firecrackers to scare the monster off, which was how the tradition of welcoming each year by lighting up firecrackers was born.
Apart from that, it is also a ceremonial day to pray to the Gods for good luck and an abundance of wealth throughout the year. Believers also prayed to their ancestors, for they were also treated as heavenly beings. For instance, families would burn fake paper money and printed gold bars to honour their departed loved ones. They believe that their offerings will bring good fortune and luck to their ancestors in the afterlife.
2. China once banned fireworks due to air pollution
However, the extensive use of fireworks during the festival led to
safety reasons and concerns for air pollution. Many Chinese cities have banned
fireworks with more than 500 cities having restrictions. For instance, Beijing
once prohibited fireworks for 13 years, however the ban was lifted in 2006 due
to protests from the public. In 2016, Shanghai banned the lighting of fireworks
within the metropolitan area.
3. No significant other to show off to your relatives? No problem!
In the traditional Chinese culture, it is of great importance to pass down the family name across generations to come. It is common for singles to feel immense pressure to tie the knot and have children to appease the minds of their parents. As we all know, finding a partner for life isn?t an easy task, hence some desperate singles have resorted to hiring a fake boyfriend or girlfriend to take home.
4. No cleaning ? including yourself
Sweeping and throwing out the garbage before the New Year day is highly frowned upon, as it represents pushing away good luck. Furthermore, showering and cutting hair isn?t allowed either. Instead, families are advised to clean their houses (and themselves) thoroughly on New Year's Eve. This is to signify sweeping away negative energy and to make room for good luck.
5. Red is an invaluable weapon, while black is a bad omen
During the festival, it?s important to get your colour scheme right. Family homes will be decorated in shades of red, for it is believed that the mythical monster, Nian, will also be chased away upon seeing the bright colour. Some homes will even go as far as hanging up red lanterns and strings of chilli peppers, as well as pasting red papers onto doors and windows. New clothes are bought in red colours to match the overall d?cor too. On the contrary, black apparel should be avoided during the festive season, as it is traditionally associated with funerals.
6. The festival causes the largest human migration in the world
Family reunion on Chinese New Year?s Eve is an important tradition each year. Children living in bustling cities will travel across long distances to their hometowns to reunite with their loved ones. The migration back home is referred to as chunyun (??), or Spring Migration. In China, it is estimated that more than 200 million Chinese undertake long journeys to return home for the celebrations each year.
7. Your zodiac year is your year of bad luck
Your zodiac year (????b?n m?ng ni?n) is your zodiac animal. There are a total of 12 Chinese zodiacs, and the year of the zodiac that you fall under is believed to be the unluckiest for you. There are multiple explanations for this ? for one, the Chinese believe that children can easily be abducted by demons. During this year, your weapon of defense is the colour red. Hence, some superstitious believers opt to wear red apparel as often as possible, even to the extent of wearing red undergarments every day of the year!
8. There hidden meanings behind Chinese New Year desserts
The Chinese community is big on symbolic foods, and having them named after special meanings. Some popular desserts during the festive season include:
- Tang Yuan means ?soup balls?.
It also sounds like tuanyuan (??) which means reunion.
- Fa Gao (??) is
the hybrid of sponge cakes and muffins, usually dyed in festive colours. The
?Fa? is the same as in Fa Cai (??) which means ?to get rich?.
Watch our video on hidden meanings behind Chinese New Year desserts for more fun facts!
9. Tread with caution
There are many interesting superstitions
during the festival. For instance:
- Do not give clocks as presents as they symbolize time running out
- Avoid the use of sharp objects as they ?cut off? good fortune
- Do not tell ghost stories that bring about negative energy
- Do not buy shoes, as in Cantonese, the word ?shoes? is a homonym for ?rough? and hence, will give one a rough ride for the rest of the year
- Do not throw away broken glass as that welcomes bad luck
10. Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year
The first full moon of the lunar year appears during the Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Festival (????yu?n xi?o ji?). Back in the day, girls weren?t allowed to venture out themselves during the night. However, a special exception is granted during the Lantern Festival, as they were able to enjoy the bright moon and the beautiful lanterns. As a result, it is also known as Valentine?s Day in China.
