Understanding the Chinese Spring Festival

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is not just a single day but a 15-day long celebration. It marks the end of the coldest days, welcoming spring and what it symbolizes—new beginnings and fresh starts.

The festival date varies! It's based on the lunar calendar and falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice. Typically, it ranges between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar used worldwide.

Red is the emblematic color of the festival, symbolizing joy and good fortune. Homes are adorned with red decorations, and red envelopes filled with money are given to children and unmarried adults to bring luck and ward off evil spirits.

The festival originated from the myth of Nian, a beast that preyed on villagers. The monster was scared away by loud noises, bright lights, and the color red, which explains the fireworks and red banners prevalent during the holiday.

On Chinese New Year's Eve, families gather for a reunion dinner, known as 'Nian Ye Fan'. This is considered the most important meal of the year, with dishes that have symbolic meanings, such as fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth.

The festival sparks the largest annual human migration, known as Chunyun, where workers travel to reunite with their families. Despite modern transportation, this period still sees immense travel congestion, reflecting the importance of family in Chinese culture.

The Chinese New Year concludes with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day. People release lanterns into the sky, solve riddles written on them, and eat tangyuan (sweet rice balls) to symbolize family unity and completeness.

Firecrackers were invented in China over 2,000 years ago and were initially used to scare away evil spirits, not just for celebration.