{"id":6943,"date":"2021-02-05T09:59:52","date_gmt":"2021-02-05T14:59:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lammuseum.wfu.edu\/?page_id=6943"},"modified":"2024-07-29T15:35:14","modified_gmt":"2024-07-29T19:35:14","slug":"chinese-new-year-traditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lammuseum.wfu.edu\/education\/teachers\/chinese-new-year\/chinese-new-year-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"Chinese New Year Traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Different parts of China have very different traditions. The following are the most typical:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Year\u2019s Eve Dinner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The New Year\u2019s Eve dinner is the most important meal for Chinese families. Normally, this is the family reunion dinner, especially for those with family members away from home. The majority of Chinese families will gather at a family member\u2019s home instead of a restaurant to eat the New Year\u2019s Eve dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fireworks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fireworks are used to drive away evil in China. Right after 12:00AM on New Year\u2019s Eve, fireworks will be launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year as well as to drive away evil. It is believed that the person who launches the first firework of the New Year will have good luck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shou Sui<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shou Sui means \u201cafter the New Year\u2019s Eve dinner.\u201d Traditionally, family members would stay awake all night, but now some people just stay awake until after the fireworks. According to Chinese tales and legends, there was a mythical beast named the Nian (Year). On New Year\u2019s Eve night, the Year would come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later, people found that the Year was afraid of the color red, fire, and loud sounds. Therefore, on the New Year\u2019s Eve night, people will launch fireworks, light fires, and stay awake all night to fend off the Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Red Envelopes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The red packet is a red envelope with money in it. The amount of money can range  from one to a few thousand Chinese Yuan. Usually red envelopes are given to children by adults, married couples, and the elderly during the New Year Festival. It is believed that the money and red envelopes will keep evil from the children, keep them healthy, and give them a long life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*More information about red envelopes and a craft activity<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

New Year Markets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During the New Year\u2019s Festival, temporary markets are setup. The main purpose of the markets is to sell New Year goods, such as clothing, lanterns, fireworks, decorations, food, and small arts. The markets are usually decorated with New Year\u2019s objects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Small Year<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Small year is the last day of the year. It is believed this is the day the Kitchen God will leave the family, go to heaven, and report the family\u2019s activities to the Emperor of Heaven. People have religious ceremonies to say farewell to the Kitchen God. Part of the ceremony includes taking down and burning the image of the Kitchen God. After New Year\u2019s Day, people will buy a new image of the Kitchen God and display it in their kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cleaning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A few days before Chinese New Year, people will do a complete cleaning of the house and house wares. This signifies the removal of the old and welcoming the new. Historically, when people did not bath often, this is when people would take a bath to welcome the New Year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Decoration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After cleaning the entire house, people will decorate their house. This is to welcome the New Year. Most New Year decorations are red in color, because the Chinese believe red brings good luck, prosperity, and wards off evil. The most popular New Year decorations are upside down fu, dui lian, lanterns, year paint, papercutting, door gods, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n \n Decorations <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n \n Food <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n \n Zodiac <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n \n Book List <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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