This year, the Chinese Year starts on the 12th of February, when it will issue in the new year of the Ox. With its date decided by the lunar calendar, Chinese New Year starts on a different date every year. Also referred to as the Spring Festival, it also marks the beginning of the end of the winter and the start of a new harvest season.
The year of the Ox is expected to be a year of great luck, and a good year to focus on our personal relationships. It is also forecast to be the year in which hard work is rewarded. But this will require double the effort of previous years to achieve. A year of good luck ahead, is something we could all do with right now. The year is expected to be luckiest for those born in the years of the Rat, Snake, Horse, Monkey and Pig. So if one of those is you, this is supposed to be your year.
CNY Dragon. Image by Pascal Bernardon.
The Chinese New Year is seen in with some fascinating traditions. We have rounded up some of the main ones that make this festival so great across Asian communities around the world.
Firecrackers: These noisy, gunpowder filled rockets are set off to scare away Nian, the mythical monster who used to terrorize people every New Year’s Eve. Today they remain an integral part of the holiday, and the longer the string of fireworks, and the louder the bangs, the greater luck you are supposed to generate for you and your family. Can’t get your hands on firecrackers? Bang a drum, make some noise, anything to scare Nian away this New Year’s Eve.
Cleaning: It makes sense that the Spring festival should involve spring cleaning. One the day before the new year starts, families dedicate their time to cleaning their homes, and in the process sweep away any bad luck that might be lingering. The cleaning also symbolizes making space for the good luck of the new year ahead.
Red Pockets (laisee): The gigging of red pockets, filled with money, by the unmarried and children is a central tradition of the festival. The giving of red pockets is a blessing for both the person giving and the person receiving. The notes used should be new and clean.
Red Pockets (laisee). Image by Jason Leung.
New Year Foods: From dumplings, to tangerines, to a whole fish- there are plenty of traditional Chinese New Year foods that represent the bringing in the luck of the new year, while letting go of the old. Red foods are particularly symbolic and plentiful as red is a lucky colour in Chinese tradition.
We at Vonder would like to wish all of our residents who celebrate a very happy Chinese New Year. We are proud to be building an international and connected community that celebrates its diversity and inclusiveness, through our evolved approach to coliving.
