SafekipediaChinese New Year
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Chinese New Year, also called the Spring Festival, is a big holiday in Chinese culture. It starts the new year on the old Chinese calendar. This festival happens between January 21 and February 20. It lasts from Chinese New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
Families come together for a special dinner on New Year's Eve. They clean their homes to welcome good luck. They decorate with red paper-cuts and couplets for good fortune, happiness, wealth, and long life. People also light firecrackers and give money in red envelopes.
Many places around the world celebrate Chinese New Year, especially where there are lots of overseas Chinese or Sinophone people. It has also inspired other cultures to have their own new year celebrations, like the Losar in Tibet, the Tết in Vietnam, the Seollal in Korea, and the Shōgatsu in Japan.
Names
See also: Lunar New Year
In Chinese, this special time is often called the "Spring Festival." This name was first suggested in 1914 by Yuan Shikai, who was the temporary leader of China at the time. The name is used in China, but in Taiwan, people still call it "Traditional Chinese New Year."
Many places around the world also call it "Lunar New Year." "Chinese New Year" is a common way to talk about it for people who are not from Chinese backgrounds. Besides Chinese people, many different groups in China and other countries like Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines celebrate this holiday too.
Dates in the Chinese lunisolar calendar
See also: Chinese calendar
The Chinese calendar marks the month with the winter solstice as the eleventh month. This means that Chinese New Year usually happens on the second new moon after the winter solstice. In most years, Chinese New Year is the new moon closest to the start of spring, called lichun. According to the Gregorian calendar, Chinese New Year comes between 21 January and 20 February.
Mythology
There is a fun legend about how Chinese New Year began. It tells the story of a scary creature called the Nian. The Nian would come out at night and scare the villagers.
One year, the villagers hid, and an old man stayed behind. He put up red papers and set off firecrackers. The next day, they found nothing had been harmed. They learned the Nian was afraid of the color red and loud noises. From then on, people wore red clothes, hung red lanterns, and used firecrackers to keep the Nian away. The Nian was later captured by Hongjun Laozu.
History
Before Chinese New Year became a big celebration, ancient Chinese people honored the end of their harvest in autumn. This was not the same as the Mid-Autumn Festival. An old poem from the Western Zhou period talked about traditions like cleaning grain and sharing drinks.
The first known celebrations began during the Warring States period. A special ritual called “Big Nuo” was done to chase away bad luck. Later, during the Han dynasty, people honored their ancestors on the first day of the new year. Families would gather and share special food.
By the Jin dynasty, people stayed up all night on New Year’s Eve. During the Tang dynasty, people started sending greeting cards. Later, people wrote poems and hung them on doors for good luck. They also used firecrackers to scare away evil spirits.
During the Song dynasty, children received money from their elders to celebrate. Special foods like year cakes and dumplings became traditions. These customs have continued over time.
In 1967, celebrations of Chinese New Year were stopped, but they started again later. Now, many people around the world enjoy Chinese New Year.
In 2024, Chinese New Year was recognized by the United Nations as an important cultural tradition.
Public holiday
Chinese New Year is a public holiday in places where many people have Chinese roots. Because the holiday can be on different days each year, some governments change workdays to make the celebration longer. If Chinese New Year falls on a weekend, some places add an extra holiday the next workday.
Celebrations like Chinese New Year happen in other countries that use lunar calendars, such as Korea's Seollal and Vietnam's Tết. For more details, see the article on Lunar New Year.
| Country/region | Official name | Description | No. of days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malaysia | Tahun Baru Cina | The first 2 days of Chinese New Year. | 2 |
| Singapore | Chinese New Year | The first 2 days of Chinese New Year. | 2 |
| Brunei | Tahun Baru Cina | Half-day on Chinese New Year's Eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. | 1 |
| Hong Kong | Lunar New Year | The first 3 days of Chinese New Year. | 3 |
| Macau | Novo Ano Lunar | The first 3 days of Chinese New Year | 3 |
| Indonesia | Tahun Baru Imlek (Sin Cia) | The first day of Chinese New Year. | 1 |
| China | Spring Festival (Chūn Jié) | The eve and first 3 days of Chinese New Year. Extra holiday days are de facto added adjusting the weekend days before and after the three days holiday, resulting in a full week of public holiday known as Golden Week. During the Chunyun holiday travel season. | 4 (official holiday days) 7 (de facto holiday days) |
| Myanmar | Chinese New Year | The first day of Chinese New Year. | 1 |
| Philippines | Chinese New Year | Half-day on Chinese New Year's Eve and the first day of Chinese New Year. | 1 |
| South Korea | Korean New Year (Seollal) | The first 3 days of Chinese New Year. | 3 |
| Taiwan | Lunar New Year | Chinese New Year's Eve and the first 3 days of Chinese New Year; will be made up on subsequent working days if any of the 4 days fall on Saturday or Sunday. The day before Chinese New Year's Eve is also designated as holiday, but as a bridge holiday, and will be made up on an earlier or later Saturday. Additional bridge holidays may apply, resulting in 9-day or 10-day weekends. | 4 (legally) 9–10 (including Saturdays and Sundays) |
| Thailand | Wan Trut Chin (Chinese New Year's Day) | Observed by Thai Chinese and parts of the private sector. Usually celebrated for three days, starting on the day before the Chinese New Year's Eve. Chinese New Year is observed as a public holiday in Narathiwat, Pattani, Yala, Satun and Songkhla Provinces. | 1 |
| Vietnam | Tết Nguyên Đán (Vietnamese New Year) | The first 3 days of Lunar New Year. | 3 |
| Japan | Shōgatsu (Japanese New Year) | Since 1873, the official Japanese New Year has been celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar, on 1 January of each year, New Year's Day (元日, Ganjitsu). | 4 |
| New York, United States | Lunar New Year | The first day of Lunar New Year. | 1 |
| California, United States | |||
| Suriname | Maan Nieuwjaar | The first day of Chinese New Year. | 1 |
Festivities
Red couplets and red lanterns are put on doors to make the place look happy. In cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Wuhan, you can see many Chinese-style products in stores. People may buy Chinese coats, tiger-head hats for their children, and decorate their homes with red Chinese knots.
On the eighth day of the month before Chinese New Year, the Laba Festival happens. A special porridge called Laba porridge is eaten to remember an old festival. Families clean their homes before the new year to sweep away bad luck and bring in good luck. They do not sweep on the first day so the good luck stays. Homes are often decorated with new red paint, paper cutouts, and couples. People buy new clothes and shoes for a fresh start. Cutting hair before the new year is thought to be bad luck. Businesses settle all debts before New Year’s Eve.
The evening before Chinese New Year is a special dinner, like Christmas dinner. In Northern China, families make dumplings at midnight for good luck. In the South, they make a rice cake called niangao and share it as gifts. Some families visit temples, and many have parties. Firecrackers were used to keep away bad spirits, and families keep their doors closed until dawn.
The first day is for the gods of heaven and Earth. Fireworks, bamboo sticks, and lion dances are used to keep away bad spirits. Lighting fires and using knives are not done, so all food is ready beforehand. Families come together, and elders meet younger family members. Red envelopes with money, called lai see, angpow, or hongbao, are given to children and teenagers. Business managers also give red packets to their workers. Some places ban fireworks for safety, so there are big public fireworks shows.
The second day is when married daughters visit their birth parents and relatives. It is also a day to honor the God of Wealth, and some people carry pictures of the god and get lucky money.
The third day is thought to be unlucky for visitors, and some people visit temples. The fourth day is when some people go back to work, while others welcome back gods. The fifth day is the birthday of the God of Wealth, Guan Yu, and people eat dumplings. The sixth day is to drive away the Ghost of Poverty and welcome good luck. The seventh day is when everyone gets a year older, and some communities eat a special salad called yusheng for wealth.
Another family dinner is held on the eighth day to celebrate the birth of the Jade Emperor, and people often go back to work. The ninth day is the birthday of the Jade Emperor, and many pray to the Taoist gods. The fifteenth day is the Lantern Festival, where families eat sweet rice dumplings called tangyuan and light candles. People carry lanterns with riddles, and in some places, it is a day for finding love.
Traditional food
A reunion dinner is held on New Year's Eve, where families come together to celebrate. The dinner is big and has many dishes, such as pork, chicken, and fish. Families sometimes share a communal hot pot to show they are together.
Special foods like wax-cured meats, Chinese sausage, lobster, and abalone are served in some places. Fish is an important dish, but it is not eaten completely. This shows hope for more each year. Eight dishes are often served for good luck. If a family had a sad time the year before, they might serve seven dishes instead.
Other foods like noodles, fruits, dumplings, spring rolls, and sweet rice balls are also eaten. These foods have special meanings — noodles for long life, oranges and pomelos for wealth, and dumplings for prosperity. Red envelopes with money may be given out for good luck. Some families eat only vegetarian food on the first day of the new year for extra good luck.
| Food item | Simplified Chinese | Traditional Chinese | Hanyu Pinyin | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buddha's delight | 罗汉斋 | 羅漢齋 | Luóhàn zhāi | An elaborate vegetarian dish served by Chinese families on the eve and the first day of the New Year. A type of black hair-like algae, pronounced "fat choy" in Cantonese, is also featured in the dish for its name, which sounds like "prosperity". Hakkas usually serve kiu nyuk (Chinese: 扣肉; pinyin: kòuròu) and ngiong teu fu. |
| Chicken | 鸡 | 雞 | Jī | Boiled chicken is served because it is figured that any family, no matter how humble their circumstances, can afford a chicken for the Chinese New Year. |
| Apples | 苹果 | 蘋果 | Píngguǒ | Apples symbolize peace because the word for apple ("ping") is a homonym of the word for peace. |
| Fish | 鱼 | 魚 | Yú | Is usually eaten or merely displayed on the eve of the Chinese New Year. The pronunciation of fish makes it a homophone for "surpluses" (simplified Chinese: 余; traditional Chinese: 餘; pinyin: yú). |
| Garlic | 蒜 | Suàn | Is usually served in a dish with rondelles of Chinese sausage or Chinese cured meat during the Chinese New Year. The pronunciation of Garlic makes it a homophone for "calculating (money)" (Chinese: 算; pinyin: suàn). The Chinese cured meat is so chosen because it is traditionally the primary method for storing meat over the winter, and the meat rondelles resemble coins. | |
| Jau gok | 油角 | Yóu jiǎo | The main Chinese New Year dumpling for Cantonese families. It is believed to resemble a sycee or yuánbǎo, the old Chinese gold and silver ingots, and to represent prosperity for the coming year. | |
| Jiaozi | 饺子 | 餃子 | Jiǎozi | The common dumpling eaten in northern China, also believed to resemble sycee. At the reunion dinner, Chinese people add various foods into Jiaozi fillings to represent good fortune: coins, Niangao, dried dates, candy, etc. |
| Mandarin oranges | 桔子 | Júzi | Oranges, particularly mandarin oranges, are a common fruit during the Chinese New Year. They are particularly associated with the festival in southern China, where its name is a homophone of the word for "luck" in dialects such as Teochew (in which 橘, jú, and 吉, jí, are both pronounced gik). | |
| Melon seed/Guazi | 瓜子 | Guāzi | Other variations include sunflower, pumpkin and other seeds. It symbolizes fertility and having many children. | |
| Niangao | 年糕 | Niángāo | Most popular in eastern China (Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai) because its pronunciation is a homophone for "a more prosperous year (年高 lit. year high)". Niangao is also popular in the Philippines, where there is a large Chinese population and is known as tikoy (Chinese: 甜粿, from Min Nan) there. Known as the Chinese New Year pudding, niangao is made up of glutinous rice flour, wheat starch, salt, water, and sugar. The color of the sugar used determines the color of the pudding (white or brown). | |
| Noodles | 面条 | 麵條 | Miàntiáo | Families may serve uncut noodles (making them as long as they can), which represent longevity and long life, though this practice is not limited to the new year. |
| Sweets | 糖果 | Tángguǒ | Sweets and similar dried fruit goods are stored in a red or black Chinese candy box. | |
| Rougan (Yok Gon) | 肉干 | 肉乾 | Ròugān | Chinese salty-sweet dried meat, akin to jerky, which is trimmed of the fat, sliced, marinated, and then smoked for later consumption or as a gift. |
| Taro cakes | 芋头糕 | 芋頭糕 | Yùtougāo | Made from the vegetable taro, the cakes are cut into squares and often fried. |
| Turnip cakes | 萝卜糕 | 蘿蔔糕 | Luóbogāo | A dish made of shredded radish and rice flour, usually fried and cut into small squares. |
| Yusheng or Yee sang | 鱼生 | 魚生 | Yúshēng | Raw fish salad. Eating this salad is said to bring good luck. This dish is usually eaten on the seventh day of the New Year, but may also be eaten throughout the period. |
| Five Xinpan | 五辛盘 | 五辛盤 | Wǔ xīnpán | Five Xin include onion, garlic, pepper, ginger, and mustard. As an ancient traditional folk culture, it has existed since the Jin dynasty. It symbolizes health. In a positive economic growth dynasty, like Song, The Five Xinpan would not only have five spicy vegetables but would also include Chinese bacon and other vegetables. Moreover, it was offered to the family's ancestors to express respect and seek a blessing. |
| Laba porridge | 腊八粥 | 臘八粥 | Làbā zhōu | This dish is eaten on Laba Festival, the eighth day of the twelfth month of the Chinese lunisolar calendar. The congees are made of mixed walnut, pine nuts, mushrooms, and persimmon. The congees are for commemorating the sacrifices of ancestors and celebrating the harvest. |
Practices
Red envelopes
Red envelopes, or red packets, are given during Chinese New Year by older people to children and younger family members. They usually contain money and are meant to bring good luck. The color red is considered lucky and is thought to scare away bad spirits. Today, people also send red envelopes through messaging apps on their phones.
Gift exchange
People also exchange small gifts like food or sweets during Chinese New Year. These gifts are often wrapped in red or gold paper. Some items, like clocks or certain fruits, are avoided because they have meanings people want to avoid.
Markets
Markets appear during Chinese New Year where people can buy gifts, decorations, and other items for the holiday. These markets often sell flowers, toys, clothing, and more.
Fireworks
In the past, people used bamboo stems filled with gunpowder to make small explosions to scare away evil spirits. Today, people use firecrackers, which are rolled in red paper and make loud popping sounds. These noises celebrate the holiday and keep away bad spirits. However, in many places, firecrackers are not allowed anymore.
Shehuo
Shehuo are special parades and performances that celebrate the Spring Festival. These events include acrobatic shows and are meant to bring good luck and happiness.
Music
"Happy New Year!" and "Gong Xi Gong Xi" are popular songs sung during the holiday. These songs bring joy to families celebrating together.
Movies
Many people watch special movies made for Chinese New Year. These films are a fun way to celebrate and are shown on television and in theaters.
Clothing
Wearing red clothes is common during Chinese New Year because red is believed to scare away evil spirits. People also wear new clothes to show that it is a new beginning.
Family portrait
In some places, families take a picture together after getting together for the holiday. The oldest family member usually sits in the middle of the photo.
Symbolism
Red is an important color during Chinese New Year because it stands for good luck and happiness. The word for "red" sounds like the word for "prosperous," which is why it is used so much. Symbols like the fu character, which means "blessings," are also common decorations.
Nianhua
Nianhua are colorful decorations made using woodblock printing. They show pictures that bring good luck and happiness for the new year.
Leisure
During Chinese New Year, many people relax and play games like Mahjong with their families.
Flowers
Flowers are popular decorations for Chinese New Year. Each type of flower has a special meaning, and people choose them to bring good luck and happiness into their homes.
Icons and ornaments
Many homes decorate with special ornaments during Chinese New Year. These decorations are meant to bring good fortune and happiness.
Spring travel
Traditionally, families come together for Chinese New Year. Today, many people who work far away travel home to have big meals with their families on New Year's Eve. This time of travel is called chunyun and is one of the biggest travel periods in the world.
| Floral Decor | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Plum Blossom | symbolizes luck |
| Kumquat | symbolizes prosperity |
| Calamondin | symbolizes luck |
| Narcissus | symbolizes prosperity |
| Bamboo | a plant used for any time of year, its sturdiness represents strength |
| Sunflower | means to have a good year |
| Eggplant | a plant to heal all of your sicknesses |
| Chom Mon Plant | a plant which gives you tranquility |
| Orchid | represents fertility and abundance, as well as good taste, beauty, luxury and innocence |
| Phalaenopsis | symbolizes wealth, good luck, prosperity, and the flourishing of family and career |
| Icons | Meaning | Illustrations |
|---|---|---|
| Lanterns | These lanterns differ from those of the Mid-Autumn Festival. They are typically red and oval shaped. These are the traditional Chinese paper lanterns. Those lanterns, used on the fifteenth day of the Chinese New Year for the Lantern Festival, are bright, colorful, and come in many different sizes and shapes. | |
| Decoration | Decorations generally convey a New Year greeting. They are not advertisements. Faichun, also known as Huichun—Chinese calligraphy of auspicious Chinese idioms on typically red posters—are hung on doorways and walls. Other decorations include a New Year picture, Chinese knots, Sycee, papercutting and couplets. | |
| Dragon dance and Lion dance | Dragon and lion dances are common during the Chinese New Year. It is believed that the loud beats of the drum and the deafening sounds of the cymbals, together with the face of the Dragon or lion dancing, can evict bad or evil spirits. Lion dances are also popular for the opening of businesses in Hong Kong and Macau. | |
| Fu Lu Shou | Nianhua of the Fu Lu Shou. | |
| Red envelope | Typically given to children, the elderly and Dragon/Lion Dance performers while saying t 恭喜發財 j gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4, s 恭喜发财 p gōng xǐ fā cái. | |
| Shrubs | Citrus trees are typically used for decoration. |
Festivities outside China
See also: Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries with large Chinese communities. These include nations in Asia, Oceania, and North America. Cities like Sydney, London, and San Francisco host some of the biggest celebrations outside Asia and South America. Australia holds the largest celebration in the Southern Hemisphere.
East Asia
Korea
See also: Korean New Year
Seollal is a traditional Korean holiday marking the first day of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. It is celebrated in both North and South Korea and by Koreans worldwide. During this time, families visit each other, perform ancestral rites, wear traditional clothing, eat special foods, and play traditional games. A popular custom is receiving money from elders after performing a formal bow.
Japan
See also: Japanese New Year and Ryukyu New Year
The Japanese New Year is celebrated on January 1st each year, following the Gregorian calendar. Before 1873, it was celebrated on the first day of the traditional Japanese calendar. The change happened after Japan adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1873.
Taiwan
Main article: Lunar New Year in Taiwan
In Taiwan, Chinese New Year is called Nónglì Xīnnián or Guònián. Unlike in China, where it is known as the Spring Festival, Taiwanese people focus on the traditional calendar. Celebrations include honoring ancestors, eating special foods like pineapple cakes, and visiting temples. Families often gather for reunions and special meals.
In Taiwan, businesses reopen on the sixth day of the new year. On the ninth day, families set up altars to honor deities. Travel during this time is very busy, especially in western Taiwan.
Southeast Asia
Chinese New Year is a public holiday in many Southeast Asian countries and is one of the most important holidays of the year.
Malaysia
Chinese New Year's Eve is a half-day holiday in Malaysia, and the new year itself is a two-day public holiday. George Town is known for its lively celebrations, including lights at Kek Lok Si temple and events at Chinese clan houses. Some traditions include throwing oranges for luck and celebrating the Jade Emperor's birthday.
Singapore
See also: Chinese New Year customs in Singapore
In Singapore, Chinese New Year is a two-day public holiday with celebrations in Chinatown. Events include a Festive Street Bazaar, staged shows, and the Chingay Parade, known for its colorful floats and cultural performances.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, Chinese New Year is recognized as a national holiday. Celebrations include parades, fireworks, and decorations in cities with large Chinese communities. Temples stay open all night, and people give red envelopes and other gifts.
Philippines
In the Philippines, Chinese New Year is important for Chinese Filipinos and has become more widely celebrated. Events include selling tikoy, parades in Manila, and fireworks. Celebrations also take place in Cebu and other cities.
Thailand
Chinese New Year is celebrated in Thailand, especially in provinces with many people of Chinese descent. It is a public holiday in some southern provinces. In Bangkok, celebrations happen in Yaowarat Road, with parades and events.
South Asia
India and Pakistan
In India, Chinese New Year is celebrated in Kolkata's Chinatown with lion and dragon dances. In Pakistan, the Chinese embassy in Islamabad holds cultural events for the Chinese community and others.
Africa
Mauritius
In Mauritius, Chinese New Year is a public holiday and an important celebration. Traditions include spring cleaning, family dinners, sharing niangao, and visiting pagodas. The main events happen in Port Louis, with dragon dances and decorations.
Oceania
Australia and New Zealand
Sydney hosts one of the largest Chinese New Year celebrations outside Asia, with events over three weeks. Other Australian cities like Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Perth also celebrate with parades, markets, and performances. In New Zealand, Auckland and Wellington hold festivals, and Dunedin has a smaller celebration.
North America
Many cities in North America hold parades and celebrations for Chinese New Year. These include New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, Mexico City, Toronto, and Vancouver.
New York City
Main article: Chinese people in New York City
New York City has a week-long celebration, including a parade in Chinatown.
California
Since 2023, California observes Lunar New Year as a state holiday. Celebrations happen in many cities, including the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Rosa, and Stockton.
San Francisco
The San Francisco Chinese New Year Festival and Parade is one of the oldest and largest outside Asia.
Greater Los Angeles
The Golden Dragon Parade in Los Angeles is one of the oldest and largest outside Asia. Celebrations also occur in the San Gabriel Valley, Little Saigon, and other areas. Festivals include parades, temple visits, and decorations at malls and Disneyland.
Europe
United Kingdom
In London, celebrations happen in Chinatown, Leicester Square, and Trafalgar Square. Events include parades, feasts, fireworks, concerts, and performances, attracting up to 500,000 people.
France
In Paris, month-long celebrations occur in several districts, with large parades and performances attracting over 200,000 people.
Netherlands
Official celebrations are held in The Hague, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam.
Hungary
In Budapest, celebrations have been held since 2017 in the Kőbánya district with parades and performances.
Greetings
Chinese New Year is a time for happy greetings. People say special words to wish for good luck and happiness in the new year. These greetings are called jíxiánghuà in Mandarin or Kat Lei Seut Wa in Cantonese.
A common greeting is "Happy New Year," said as Xin nian kuai le or Guònián Hǎo. Another popular phrase is "congratulations and be prosperous," known as Gong xi fa cai or Gong hei fat choi. People use these words when giving gifts, visiting temples, or eating special dishes.
Children often ask for red envelopes of money by saying, "Congratulations and be prosperous, now give me a red envelope!" This adds fun to the celebration.
Images
Related articles
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