Chinese New Year

by Kerie

Chinese people celebrate Chinese New Year. The Chinese New Year is very similar to the Western one, swathed in traditions and rituals.

The origin of the Chinese New Year is itself centuries old in fact, too old to actually be traced. It is popularly recognized as the Spring Festival and celebrations last 15 days.

It's usual to wear something red as this color is meant to ward off evil spirits, black and white are out, as these are associated with mourning.

The eve New Year for celebrate food must seafood and dumpling. The Chinese want good luck and good wish too. The Chinese eat raw fish and prawns. The chinese want prosperity


Although celebrations of the Chinese New Year vary, the underlying message is one of peace and happiness for family members and friends.

On the day itself, an ancient custom called Hong Bao, meaning Red Packet, takes place. This involves married couples giving children and unmarried adults money in red envelopes. Then the family begins to say greetings from door to door, first to their relatives and then their neighbors. Like the Western saying "let bygones be bygones," at Chinese New Year, grudges are very easily cast aside.

The end of the New Year is marked by the Festival of Lanterns, which is a celebration with singing, dancing and lantern shows.