Chinese New Year, rites and traditions

The Chinese New Year, also called Spring Festival, starts roughly between the end of January and mid-February and, for two weeks, offers celebration in honor of the new year, with songs and red clothes.

China Spring Festival, Chinese New Year
China Spring Festival, Chinese New Year

A rite of passage to the new rather than a real institutional party: the New Year Chinese (Chūnjié) is a deeply rooted tradition not only in China but for oriental peoples in general; the preparation begins from the beginning, with a thorough and radical cleaning of the homes, in order to remove negativity.

There is no precise date of celebration as it is based on the new moon, therefore the Chinese New Year it falls during the second new moon after the winter solstice.

Chinese New Year, Christmas in the West

Il Chinese New Year in some ways it resembles the Christmas in the West: it is in fact a family celebration, so much so that from every part of China millions of people travel to return to their home of origin.

Even though the streets are cheerfully decorated mainly with red drapes, tradition dictates that we must meet with parents, relatives and friends to spend at least the first three/four of these festive days together and to exchange small auspicious gifts before sitting down to the table. .

In addition to culinary gifts and fine teas, what is most popular is a few banknotes wrapped in red paper or fabric, to continue to respect the color and mood of the party.

The houses are decorated with canvas banners decorated with phrases for the occasion and, here and there, fish-shaped objects are placed.

Finally, the well-known red lanterns are unmissable and, at the end of the two weeks of celebrations for the New Year, are detached and taken to the street to close the period together with other people, between fireworks displays and the lion dance, symbol of prosperity and longevity.

China Spring Festival, Chinese New YearChina Spring Festival, Chinese New Year

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The lion, a bit like the dragon - another important figure in Chinese mythology - scares away evil, wards off negative influences and welcomes the new year with benevolence, bringing its joyful and proud dance to the streets which brings together thousands of cheering people.

In China il New Year is welcomed with great care and pomp but the event is felt and followed throughout the world, wherever there is a Chinatown and therefore wherever Chinese communities are present.

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