Chinese New Year is right around the corner, so as a public service, here’s what you should probably know about the celebration…..
The Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival, marks the transition of the Chinese zodiac sign from one animal to the next. 2023 ushers in the Year of the Rabbit, which begins on January 22. In Chinese culture, the rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope.
Lunar New Year celebrations traditionally last for 16 days, from Lunar New Year’s Eve to the Lantern Festival. In China, the first seven days, from January 21 to 27 this year, are public holidays.
Here’s a list of the days, and the way they are properly celebrated:
January 21 (New Year’s Eve) – The most important celebration includes the family reunion dinner, and staying up until midnight.
January 22 (New Year’s Day) – A day for visiting or greeting family and relatives, and giving presents.
January 23 (In-Laws-Day) – Married women visit their parents with their husbands and children.
January 24 (Day of the Rat) – An ominous day, so it’s common to stay at home, rest with family and play games.
January 25 (Day of the Sheep) – An auspicious day, for prayer and giving offerings, or going to temples or fortune-tellers.
January 26 (Break Five) – Commonly accepted as the day when Taboos (from previous days) can be broken.
January 27 (Day of the Horse) – Believed to be the best day to get rid of old, unwanted things. Also an acceptable day to resume work.
January 28 (Day of Mankind) – Believed to be the day people were created. People are encouraged to spend it out in nature.
January 29 (Day of the Grain) – Good weather on this day will symbolize good crops for the year. Many families will have a second “mini” reunion dinner.
January 30 (Providence Health) – The Jade Emperor’s birthday, on which people give offerings, light incense and set off firecrackers.
January 31 (Stone Festival) – The birthday of the “god stone,” similar to the previous day’s rituals.
February 1 (Son-in-Law Day) – Fathers are expected to “entertain” or treat their sons-in-law on this day.
February 2, 3, 4 (Lantern Day Preparations) – Preparations for the Lantern Festival; cooking and making lanterns.
February 5 (Lantern Festival) – Marks the end of the festival. Lanterns are lit and hung or flown, dragon dances take place in the streets and children answer lantern riddles.
So this is the way you celebrate Chinese New Year — when done properly. It makes our routine of going out for Chinese food rather unexcitable… maybe we’ll step it up this year.
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