One of the most important celebrations in China is the New Year festival which marks the beginning of the New Year in the Chinese lunar calendar. It also brings in the spring season. The date changes from year to year, but always starts on the first day of the first lunar month, usually between late January and February. Celebrations can last for two weeks. Several traditional activities that symbolize the “new beginning” are performed during the two weeks of Chinese New Year. Prior to New Year’s Day, homes are cleaned, hair is washed and cut, new clothes may be bought, and debts are paid. On the first day, children kneel and pay respect to their elders. In return, they receive little red envelopes with money inside. During the week, the celebration includes feasting on special foods with special meanings of what is wished for in the year to come.
Some examples are:
Candied melon: wealth, growth and good health
Fried rice: harmony
Fish: surplus
Clams: profit
Duck: happiness
Beef: strength
Lettuce: riches
Steamed buns, oysters, rice dumplings: good luck
Candied coconut: togetherness
Lotus seeds: many sons
Firecrackers and red signs on doors are used to scare away the evil spirits. “Door guardians,” Yu-chih Kung and Ch’in Ch’iung, make sure the home is safe. Friends and family are visited and given sweet treats. For three to five days of this event there are Lion Dances in front of stores to scare away more evil spirits. The Lantern Festival, which symbolizes lighting the way for a new year, is celebrated on the last day of the New Year.
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