Chinese new year is the most important festival in China and in East Asian countries. This festival celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The festivities start on 1st February and end on 6th February.
For the followers of the Chinese calendar it is time to feats and to visit family members as well as honor their ancestors. This year is the Tiger year and we will tell you what this means and the main traditions of the Chinese new year.
Tiger year
The tiger is the third animal in the Chinese zodiac.
The legend says that the Tiger was thought he was the strong animal and no one could beat him in the celestial race that would decide the zodiacs' order. Almost at the end of the race, the Tiger climbed out of the river and he was convinced that he was the first to reach the finish line. However, he was informed that Rat won for its cunning, Ox was in second place for its diligence, and he was in third place.
People born in Tiger years are vigorous, ambitious, enthusiastic, and generous. Besides, they have a sense of justice and like to help others. You can learn more about Tiger here.
The traditions
Clean up and add all the red!
When the new year starts approaching, one of the first things to do is to clean up the house. This means cleaning away all the bad luck of the last year and giving place for the good luck of the new year to enter.
Red is the official and traditional color of these festivities. It symbolizes prosperity and energy that keeps the evil spirits and negativity away. Every street and every house is decored with red from red lanterns and red couplets.
Offers
The Chinese new year is about honoring the past and the ancestors. Most people that celebrate this holiday, enjoy their time by visiting their ancestors' graves (in the day before).
Another common thing is to offer sacrifices before the reunion dinner. This shows respect for the dead since they are letting them "eat" first. At the main table of the dinner, it is usual to put an extra glass and place for the deads.
Fireworks
What's a party and celebration without fireworks?
Around all of China from the major cities to the most rural areas, setting off firecrackers and fireworks is an obligated tradition. Besides all of the firework's usual proposes (color, celebration), they also mean to scare the evil and welcome the new arrival.
Lion dances
One of the most known traditional things about China is the lion dances, especially during the Lunar New Year. They are very entertaining and pleasant to watch, but their main goal is to bring and attract prosperity and good luck.
No comments:
Post a Comment