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Everything You Need To Know About Chinese New Year

Writer's picture: LingLingLingLing

Updated: 1 day ago

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节 Chūn Jié), marks the beginning of spring in the lunar calendar. It is the most significant and widely celebrated holiday in China and has gained global recognition in modern times. With a history spanning over 4,000 years, this ancient festival marks the start of the lunar calendar and falls between late January and mid-February, depending on the lunar cycle.


The celebration symbolizes new beginnings and is a time for family reunions, cultural traditions, and vibrant festivities. Homes and streets are adorned with red lanterns, spring couplets, and festive decorations, creating a joyful and hopeful atmosphere as people wish for health, happiness, and prosperity in the year ahead.


Since December 2024, Chinese New Year has been officially recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its global cultural significance.

Cute snake holds a banner amid red lanterns and smoke. "2025" text above. Festive, warm atmosphere with traditional Chinese motifs.
Happy Chinese New Year of the Snake - 蛇年快乐

2025: Year of the Snake


From January 29 to February 12, 2025, we welcome the Year of the Snake (蛇). The snake symbolizes wisdom, charm, and intuition. This year encourages embracing change, seeking deeper wisdom, and cherishing traditions and family bonds.


Key Traditions and Customs


  • 吃团圆饭 (Chī Tuán Yuán Fàn) - Having Reunion Meal

    On New Year’s Eve, families gather for a reunion meal, symbolizing togetherness.


  • 大扫除 (Dà Sǎo Chú) – Big House Cleaning

    Cleaning before midnight sweeps away bad luck. After New Year’s Eve, cleaning stops to avoid removing good fortune.


  • 贴春联 (Tiē Chūn Lián) – Hanging Spring Couplets

    Red decorations with poetic blessings are placed on doors and windows.


  • 看春晚 (Kàn Chūn Wǎn) – Watching the Spring Festival Gala

    This televised variety show is a must-watch tradition, featuring music, dance, and comedy.


  • 放鞭炮 (Fàng Biān Pào) – Setting Off Firecrackers

    Fireworks and firecrackers light up the sky to mark the New Year and scare away evil spirits.


The Story Origin


The legend of the Beast Nian (年兽) is widely recognized as the origin of Chinese New Year. It tells the story of a terrifying creature, Nian (年), who would emerge every year to terrorize villages. Nian was said to fear loud noises, bright lights, and the color red. To protect themselves, villagers would hang red decorations, light firecrackers, and make loud noises, driving Nian away. These customs became the foundation of Chinese New Year traditions, which continue to this day. You can find this story, along with other Chinese folktales and classic legends, in my book Chinese Stories for Language Learners: Elementary


Other Popular Traditions


  • 看舞狮舞龙 (Kàn Wǔ Shī Wǔ Lóng) – Watching Lion and Dragon Dances

These lively performances symbolize good luck and drive away evil spirits. The lion dance, performed by two people in a lion costume, showcases acrobatic moves, while the dragon dance, featuring a long, colorful dragon, represents power and prosperity. Drums, cymbals, and firecrackers add to the festive energy.


  • 穿新衣服 (Chuān Xīn Yī Fu) – Wearing New Clothes

Wearing new clothes symbolizes a fresh start and attracts good fortune. Red is the preferred color as it represents happiness and prosperity. This tradition is believed to bring luck while warding off bad energy from the past year.


  • 发红包 (Fā Hóng Bāo) – Giving Red Envelopes

Red envelopes contain money and are given as blessings, usually from elders to children. Nowadays, digital red envelopes sent via WeChat have become a modern alternative.


  • 拜年 (Bài Nián) – Visiting Family and Sending Greetings

Families and friends visit each other to exchange New Year blessings, strengthening relationships.

Red and orange lion dance costumes perform indoors and outdoors. Vibrant colors fill both festive scenes, capturing joyful cultural celebrations.
Lion and Dragon Dances 舞龙舞狮

Greetings for the New Year

Here are some common wishes for Spring Festival:

Greeting

Pinyin

Meaning

恭喜发财

Gōng Xǐ Fā Cái

Wish You Great Wealth and Prosperity

新春快乐

Xīn chūn Kuài Lè

Happy Spring Festival

新年快乐

Xīn Nián Kuài Lè

Happy New Year

身体健康

Shēn Tǐ Jiàn Kāng

May you enjoy good Health

年年有余

Nián Nián Yǒu Yú

Surplus and Abundance Every Year

大吉大利

Dà Jí Dà Lì

May you have luck and fortune

Festive Foods of the Spring Festival


Food is a central part of Chinese New Year celebrations, with many dishes carrying symbolic meanings related to prosperity, happiness, and family unity. Below are some iconic foods and their significance:


鱼 (Yú) – Fish. Dishes like 红烧鱼 (Hóng Shāo Yú) – Braised Fish in Soy Sauce, symbolize abundance, as "鱼 (yú)" sounds like "余 (yú)," meaning surplus. The idiom 年年有余 (nián nián yǒu yú) wishes for having surplus (abundance) every year.


饺子 (Jiǎo Zi) – Dumplings. Shaped like gold ingots, these dumplings symbolize wealth and are a must-have for family gatherings.


春卷 (Chūn Juǎn) – Spring Rolls. Crispy, golden rolls resemble gold bars, representing wealth and a fresh start.


年糕 (Nián Gāo) – Sticky Rice Cake. "Nián Gāo" sounds like 年高 (higher year), symbolizing growth and success. It’s often made with glutinous rice flour and red bean paste.


汤圆 (Tāng Yuán) – Glutinous Rice Balls. These sweet, round rice balls filled with red bean, sesame or peanut paste symbolize family unity and harmony.


火锅 (Huǒ Guō) – Hot Pot. A communal dish of simmering broth shared with loved ones, representing warmth and togetherness. Common ingredients include meat, tofu, and vegetables.

A festive feast on a vibrant red tablecloth features various dishes, including fish, chicken, and colorful veggie salad, with gold ingots.
Reunion Meal 团圆饭

Celebrate the Spring Festival with your loved ones, delicious food, and vibrant traditions as we welcome the wisdom and charm of the Year of the Snake! 🐍

May this Chinese New Year bring you endless joy, love, success,

and happiness in everything you do!

 

Learn Chinese with LingLing



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2 Comments


Hi LingLing! Thanks for sharing this interesting information about the most important celebration in China! 谢谢! 蛇年快乐!🏮🐍

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phil
Jan 29

新春快乐! Thanks LingLing for sharing!

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