Day-by-day Guide to Celebrate World Chinese New Year
11 January 2023Some East Asian nations place a high priority on the Chinese New Year, commonly known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival. It's the holiday that marks the start of a new year in the Chinese calendar. It's a time for feasting and visiting with relatives, but it was originally meant to commemorate gods and ancestors.
Maybe you're curious about how long the Chinese New Year really is.
The festival lasts for 16 days, beginning on Chinese New Year's Eve and ending on the Chinese Lantern Festival; preparations begin about two weeks in advance. There are many time-honored rituals associated with this holiday, but there are also some more contemporary practices.
Below is a day-by-day guide on how the Chinese celebrate the Lunar New Year.
Chinese New Year Celebrations and Activities (2023)
In China, no other event compares in importance or spectacle to the Chinese New Year, marked by raucous parades, lavish family feasts, the fortunate color red, paper lanterns, and many fireworks displays. Let's find out the customs surrounding this important holiday and celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit this 2023.
Festivities and Preparations Before the Chinese New Year
December 30, 2022: Laba Festival
Day 8 of the 12th lunar month in the Chinese Calendar is traditionally the beginning of Chinese New Year celebrations and preparations for certain Chinese.
Laba, in its traditional definition, is the event that kicks off the Spring Festival. It falls on the 30th of December this year. The day's primary activity is to ask for blessings and a bountiful crop from one's ancestors and other gods (including door gods). Laba tofu, noodles, and porridge are the staple food during this event.
January 14, 2023: Little Year
Preparations for the Lunar New Year begin with the Little Year.
From this date onwards, everyone starts getting their houses in order, stocking up on groceries, praying to their stove god, etc. In doing so, they send the outgoing year a fond goodbye and the incoming year the best of luck.
The Little Year has several dates because of regional and seasonal traditions. The northern half of China this year celebrated it on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, while most of southern China is on the 24th.
January 15, 2023: House-Cleaning
Traditional 'winter-cleaning' in China begins on the 24th day of the 12th lunar month. This practice, also known as "sweeping away the dust," symbolizes a desire to get rid of clutter, say goodbye to the past year, and start fresh in preparation for the Lunar New Year.
January 14-20, 2023: New Year Shopping
People stock up on New Year's foods, treats, decorations, clothing, fireworks, and more a few days before Chinese New Year's Eve. Much like the holiday season, Chinese New Year is a busy shopping season in China.
January 21, 2023: Chinese New Year's Eve Traditions with Family Members
The Chinese are known for their various traditions and activities, especially during New Year's Eve.
This starts with them decorating their home with red lanterns to chase away bad luck and evil spirits. You can also apply this in your house and lot in the Philippines to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Indulging in a reunion dinner with family members is also a "must-do" tradition during this Lunar New Year's Eve with lucky dishes such as spring rolls and dumplings. But before starting the family dinner, Chinese families bring offerings first to their ancestors' shrine or grave that includes wine, meat, joss ticks, and joss paper.
While having the family reunion dinner, the Chinese loves to watch CCTV's New Year Gala which usually starts at 8 PM and ends at midnight. Chinese also gives "lucky money" in red envelopes to children after the family supper.
This is why they have a custom called shousui, which means to "keep watch over the year." It means that the whole family stay up late until midnight to welcome the New Year.
January 22, 2023: Chinese New Year's Day
Observing the following rituals on the first day of the Chinese New Year festivities is considered essential for good fortune during the next year by the Chinese.
Exchanging New Year's greetings and wearing new clothes
People in China wear brand-new outfits and exchange New Year's greetings of "gongxi" on the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Light fireworks and firecrackers
From New Year's Eve to the third day of CNY, it is traditional in many rural communities to let off firecrackers before supper.
Enjoying lion and dragon dances
On Lunar New Year's Day, you could also watch a lion dance or a dragon dance. They had massive popularity in China in the past, and are now emerging all over the western countries and the world. In Hong Kong and Macau, they are far more common.
Festivals in parks and fairs at temples
To participate in Beijing's long-standing customs, visit one of the city's many temple festivals. From the opening day of the lunar year until the Lantern Festival, such events are often organized in parks.
January 23, 2023: Lunar New Year (Day 2)
Married women in China often make a visit to their parents' home on the second day of the New Year. They visit their loved ones with presents and red envelopes. In addition, people also worship the God of Wealth on this day in the hopes of having a more successful and profitable year.
January 24-28, 2023: Spring Festival (Days 3-7)
On the third through seventh days of the New Year, Chinese people traditionally pay visits to friends and family. Some people go to their loved ones' graves on the third day, while others avoid being outside at that time out of fear of malevolent spirits.
This is also the first house sweep of the New Year as the Chinese traditionally don't clean their houses during the first two days of the year since it is thought that doing so would remove the good luck brought in by the discarded firecrackers, red paper, wrappers, and other signs of joy.
January 29, 2023: New Year (Day 8)
On the seventh day, most people go back to their regular schedules. Most Chinese companies reopen on the eighth day of the New Year since eight is considered the luckiest number in China.
February 5, 2023: Chinese Lantern Festival (Day 15)
The Chinese New Year's Lantern Festival occurs on day fifteen. As is customary, the Spring Festival comes to a close at this time. Some individuals release sky lanterns into the night sky, while others cast lanterns adrift on the ocean, rivers, or lakes.
Celebrating the Chinese New Year in the Philippines is much more enjoyable if you live in an affordable house and lot near Binondo, Manila. This place has one of the biggest Chinese communities where you can conveniently feel and experience all the traditions of Chinese culture.
With Lumina Homes, it's easier to find an affordable house and lot for sale near the metro. These subdivisions are located within an hour's drive from Manila, providing you with the movability and accessibility that you need.
Hurry and start the year with a new home investment and make your reservations now! Celebrate Chinese New Year at home with Lumina Homes!
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