The Chinese New Year of 2021 will be February 12th (my birthday !!) .
This will be the year of the Ox which is the second position in the Chinese Zodiac. The Ox is said to be for luck and personality. The Chinese New Year is 15 days. American 1-2 days. Keep Reading for more facts.
What is the Difference in the Chinese and the American New Year ??
The Chinese zodiac gives each year an animal sign.
The Chinese New Year is based on the lunar calendar but the American New Year is based on the solar calendar. Their holiday falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice on December 21. Thus, each time the New Year in China falls on different dates. Thus both dates are different even if the New Year is January 1.
The festivities are different, too. The main festival is popularly known as the Spring Festival in China. The festival starts from the Beginning of Spring (the first of the twenty-four terms in coordination with the changes of Nature) and marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. The Spring Festival marks a new year on the lunar calendar and represents the desire for a new life (The Chinese relate the time to family, friends, fun and the spirit of festivities )
More traditions
Red is considered to be lucky, red wrapped gifts, and red clothes are everywhere. Lanterns with lucky Chinese characters are very popular. Fish is a must for the Chinese reunion dinner. Preparing a WeChat red envelop is a must !
Traditional performances of dragon dances, lion dances, and imperial performances like an emperor’s wedding are typical at parades.
The Chinese like to eat dinner together (family and friends) on the Chinese New Year’s Eve. It has long been a Chinese tradition to set off firecrackers at the beginning of the new year. American and Chinese celebrations use fireworks.
What Happens on the Chinese New Year
Traditionally married daughters visit their parents home on the second day of the Chinese New Year. They bring gifts and red envelopes to families and relatives. On this day people offer sacrifices to the God of Wealth, wishing for a luckier and more prosperous year.
On New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day in America we might have the tradition of eating black-eyed peas (with ham) for luck, cabbage is said to be your “folding money” and sometimes coins might be placed in the pot for luck as well.
Like people waiting in New York Time Square to see the ball dropping, Chinese people have the custom of staying up late on Chinese New Year’s Eve to welcome the new year’s arrival.
Do’s and Don’t for the Chinese Celebration
There are a number of Do’s and Don’t to follow for the days celebrations. Here are a few Do’s.
- In advance of new year’s day clean the house
- deck the halls (decorations)
- wear red
- give and receive red envelopes
- eat lucky foods
The Don’ts
- eating unlucky foods
- bathe
- sweep
- run with scissors
- use unlucky words
- cry
- give unlucky gifts
- Don’ts if invited to dinner on the second day
- don’t bring sharp objects which represents cutting ties.
- giving handkerchiefs they are given at funerals
- anything to do with death
- shoes (xie) equal “evil”
- clocks-the phrase “give a clock” refers to attend a funeral and a reminder we are all running out of time
- Do’s if invited for dinner on the second day
- wearing orange
- uncut flowers
Conclusion
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