
Chinese New Year is by far the busiest season of the entire year for public transport, That's when family members travel long distances to be together for their most important holiday.

Today, most Chinese households uphold the old tradition by making sure that dumplings are always served on New Year's Day. Dumplings were once considered a mainstay of every meal during the New Year celebration.While days leading up to the holiday are spent in a mad dash to clean every part of the house, once the New Year arrives it's considered bad luck to touch a broom, take out the garbage, or take a shower for fear of washing away good fortune in the New Year.The longer the dragon, the more luck it will bring! Some dragons may stretch a 100 feet or more in length.ĭuring the grand spectacle, firecrackers usually go off with a loud bang in order to ward off any chance of evil spirits getting in the way of all the fun! During the New Year, the beast is sure to make an appearance doing its snake-like dance via a team of street dancers - who manipulate a long flexible dragon figure using poles positioned along its length. One of the most auspicious signs in the Chinese zodiac, the dragon is a traditional symbol of good luck and prosperity among the Chinese.

The longer the dragon, the better chance for good luck throughout the year. these bright symbols of hope mark the return of better days as winter finally retreats - and spring moves forward!Īnd what would the celebration be without dancing dragons and fireworks to bring luck throughout the year?Ī dragon weaves through the streets during Strewn through neighborhood streets and marketplaces. Like Christmas lights that help dispel the dark days of December, the traditional 2023 Chinese lantern festival also plays a prominent part within the new year tradition. During family get-togethers, gifts are exchanged and red envelopes are filled with "lucky" money for children. The colors of the new year are red and gold - more good omens for luck and prosperity. On the radio, streaming on the Internet, or broadcast over sound systems in shops and department stores. To get everyone in the holiday spirit, traditional songs for Chinese New Year can be heard "Blessing You" by Chinese pop artist Sally Yeh For desert, oranges and tangerines are often featured since their Chinese names sound like "gold" and "wealth". Of course, food - and lots of it - is the centerpiece of any Chinese New Year celebration, and entire books could be written on various Chinese New Year food traditions believed to bring good luck and prosperity.Īs an example, carp is a main dish because the fish represents strength and endurance.

Chinese New Year is more commonly known in China as the Spring Festival with hope for better times ahead.įamilies are outfitted in new clothes, front doors are freshly painted, homes are scrubbed sparkling clean, and banners are hung to declare a very Happy New Year to all! In Chinese culture, the new year is a time to begin again. If you or someone you know were born under this sign, find out what the Chinese zodiac says about the Rabbit personality and discover what the 2023 Year of the Rabbit predicts for everyone in the year ahead!Ĭelebrating Chinese New Year - it's a family affair This year, the start of Chinese New Year falls on Sunday, Januand on the Chinese zodiac it marks the start of the Year of the Rabbit. In fact, the more accurate translation of the traditional greeting in Cantonese is "have a prosperous New Year" with wishes for wealth and good fortune in the months ahead. In Mandarin, it's Gong Xi Fa Cai or 恭喜發財 - still the popular way to say Happy New Year in Chinese. MAIN Home Life Holidays New Year Lunar New Year 2023
