Cheers to Chinese New Year with a new soul

Also known as Lunar Year, Chinese New Year is one of the principal traditional festivals of China. The festival begins on the foremost day of the new moon and ends with full moon day of the Lantern Festival. It is also known as Spring Festival and is grandly celebrated in Chinese populated countries of the world.

The countries where Chinese New Year is celebrated are Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam and Singapore. In addition, this festival is also celebrated with pomp and show in United States, Australia and Canada.

The celebration of Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days; the preparation for the celebration begins much before the actual day. Since this New Year is based on the Lunar New Year, the date of the festival keeps falling on different dates on different years. 2011 is the Chinese year of the rabbit, which falls on every 12th year. The year of the rabbit of the lunar calendar is generally related to the symbol of earth. The animal rabbit is usually categorized on 5 Chinese elements, Water, Metal, Fire, Wood and Earth. Chinese New Year, 2011 is likely to fall on 3rd of the February.

History of Chinese New Year

According to legends, Lunar New Year started with a battle with Nien, which was a mythical beast. The beast on the first day of the New Year would come in order to destroy livestock and villagers, mainly children. However, it was soon found out that the beast was scared of children who wore red clothes. So, the villagers hanged red spring scrolls and red lanterns during the time of the New Year. Even firecrackers were burnt in order to scare off Nien.

One of the major highlights of the New Year’s Eve and the New Year’s Day is the religious ceremony that is followed to honor Heaven as well as Earth and the household Gods and family ancestors.

Events of the Chinese New Year

The events of this grand festival are marked by flamboyant parades, fabulous fireworks, flower markets, fiesta and many more. During this time, each and everyone of the Chinese community as well as from other community immerse in the various cultural activities, indulge in shopping, making lively decorations and preparing traditional delicious food of China.

Lion and dragon parades are two of the most beautiful events which form an integral part of the celebration. Fireworks, which are believed to ward off evil spirits, light up the entire sky of the New Year’s Eve and the New Year.

During this time, everyone dress up in red, as it is believed that the color red wards off evil and bad fortune. Quite an eventful time of the Chinese community, the Spring Festival is marked by fun, happiness, family gathering, exchanging gifts and giving blessing.

Cuisine of Chinese New Year

Reunion dinners are usually held by every family on the eve of the New Year. Traditional dishes queue up the menu of the dinner, which include fish and chicken. Red packets are sometimes given away at the time of the reunion dinner. Some of the dishes that are served in the dinner are symbolic of good fortune, happiness and wealth.