Chinese New Year

by Vanessa Harrison & Nathalie Patangan 

Chinese New Year is a holiday primarily celebrated by people in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. It celebrates the start of a new lunisolar year. This holiday begins on the new moon occurring between January 21 and February 20 and lasts 15 days.

One important tradition is a family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve. Since family is very important during this holiday, many people travel long distances to be together. They also eat foods that symbolize good luck and success, such as whole fish, dumplings, longevity noodles, spring rolls, rice cakes, and more.

Many communities celebrate with exciting festivities and parades. When night falls, fireworks and firecrackers light up the sky because people believe the loud sounds scare away bad luck and negative spirits. Colorful dragon and lion dances also take place during the celebration. These performances show strength, courage, and good fortune for the new year. The music, bright decorations, and lively atmosphere make the celebration feel fun and memorable.

While there are many traditions, there are also some superstitions surrounding this holiday. These include not cleaning or sweeping on the first day so as not to “sweep away your wealth,” avoiding words associated with death, loss, and sickness, avoiding washing or cutting your hair since it will “wash away good luck,” and not buying books because the Chinese word for “book” sounds similar to “lose.”

The history of Chinese New Year can be traced back to about 3,500 years ago. The exact date of its origin was not recorded. Some people believe that Chinese New Year originated in the Shang Dynasty (1600–1046 BC), when people held sacrificial ceremonies in honor of gods and ancestors at the start or end of each year.

Chinese New Year officially concludes with the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th and final day of festivities. This celebration marks the first full moon of the Lunar New Year and a transition from winter to spring. It is a time of peace, unity, and forgiveness, along with a fresh new year filled with optimism.