The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China and has many traditional customs. Here are some of the main Chinese New Year traditions:
Sticking couplets and New Year's pictures: Before the Chinese New Year, people will post couplets and New Year's pictures on their doorsteps to celebrate the new year. Couplets are usually written on red paper with words of blessing written on them. New Year's pictures are used to decorate the room, meaning auspiciousness.
Firecrackers: Firecrackers are one of the most popular customs in the Chinese New Year. People set off firecrackers on Chinese New Year's Eve to drive away the bad luck of the year and welcome good luck in the new year.
Eat Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner: The dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve is called the Chinese New Year's Eve Dinner and is the most important meal during the Spring Festival. The dishes of this meal are very hearty, usually with fish, meat, vegetables, etc., which symbolizes reunion and good harvest.
New Year's greetings: New Year's greetings are one of the most important events of the Spring Festival. During the Spring Festival, people visit relatives and friends to greet each other and express New Year's blessings and greetings.
Dragon and Lion Dance: During the Chinese New Year, people perform dragon and lion dances to celebrate the New Year and drive away**. The dragon and lion dance is an important part of traditional Chinese culture, and it is also a very ornamental Spring Festival event.
Lanterns: During the Chinese New Year, people enjoy a variety of lanterns that come in different shapes to symbolize auspiciousness and happiness.
New Year's Watch: Keeping a New Year's Eve vigil is a prayer for family reunion and a happy life on Chinese New Year's Eve.
New Year's Money: Parents usually give their children New Year's Eve money on Chinese New Year's Eve, meaning to wish them a safe, healthy and smooth growth.
These are some of the main traditional customs during the Spring Festival, each with its own characteristics, but all express people's wishes for the New Year and their yearning for a better life.