What are the customs of the Chinese New Year?

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-07

Chinese New Year is one of the most important traditional festivals in China and the most celebrated festival in the country. On this special occasion, people follow a series of traditional customs to pray for good luck and happiness in the New Year. Here are some of the main customs of the Chinese New Year:

1.Paste couplets and upside down blessing words.

Before the New Year, people put couplets on their doorsteps to express their good wishes for a happy life. Couplets usually consist of two rhyming verses, each of five or seven words, with auspicious content. In addition, people will also put the word Fu on their homes, but the word Fu is often posted upside down, which means "Fu is down", that is, good luck comes.

2.Sweep the dust.

Before the New Year, people do a big cleaning to clean their homes and surroundings to remove the dirt and bad luck of the old year. This is to welcome the arrival of the new year, which means saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new, and praying for a safe and smooth new year.

3.Ancestor worship and worship of gods.

Before the New Year, people worship ancestors and gods to pay their respects and ask for blessings. Ancestor worship is to express filial piety and gratitude to ancestors, while worship is to pray for the blessings and blessings of the gods. People worship at home or at temples, placing offerings and lighting incense and candles.

4.Have a reunion dinner.

Chinese New Year's Eve is a time for family reunion and one of the most important traditions of the Chinese. On Chinese New Year's Eve, families enjoy a sumptuous reunion meal, which usually includes traditional foods such as fish, meat, vegetables and rice balls. Families will light incense candles before the meal, pay homage to their ancestors, and then enjoy a meal together and have a happy time.

5.New Year's Eve and New Year's money.

Keeping the New Year is one of the traditional customs of the Chinese New Year, which refers to the vigil on Chinese New Year's Eve until the arrival of the New Year. Family members will sit around chatting, watching the Spring Festival Gala, playing cards, etc., waiting for the arrival of the new year. New Year's Eve money is also one of the traditional customs on Chinese New Year's Eve, where parents will give their children some money to send good luck and blessings.

6.Set off fireworks and firecrackers.

Fireworks and firecrackers are one of the most popular traditions of the Chinese New Year. When the New Year's bell rings, people will light fireworks and firecrackers to set off beautiful sparks and rings to ward off the bad luck and bad luck of the old year. This is also to welcome the arrival of the new year and pray for a safe and smooth new year.

7.New Year's greetings.

New Year's greetings are one of the highlights of the New Year, and it is also one of the traditional rituals of the Chinese. People will greet each other on the first day of the new year and wish each other good health and good luck. Parents will also take their children to pay New Year's greetings to their elders to express their respect and blessings. During New Year's greetings, people bring gifts or food items such as sweets as gifts.

These are some of the main Chinese New Year customs, which have been passed down for thousands of years, and not only represent the breadth and profundity of Chinese culture, but also express people's pursuit of a happy life and New Year's wishes. When celebrating the Chinese New Year, people will also carry out a series of entertainment activities, such as playing cards, watching the Spring Festival Gala, guessing lantern riddles, etc., to add to the festive atmosphere of the festival. At the same time, it is also necessary to pay attention to safety issues, abide by relevant regulations and etiquette, and jointly create a happy, peaceful and safe New Year atmosphere.

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