The Chinese New Year period starts from the first day of a lunar Chinese year and lasts for 15 days. The 15th day of the Chinese New Year is also known as the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with children carrying lanterns in a parade.

Nowadays, many people have adopted new ways of celebrating this traditional festival. Instead of staying at home and following old customs, more and more people prefer to travel. However, the spirit of the Chinese New Year traditions is well protected and the customs are still practiced, as most people realize it is these traditions that provide continuity with the past and provide the Chinese culture with an identity.

15-day celebration

The first day of the Chinese New Year is to welcome the gods of Heaven and Earth.

In the early morning, people dress up in their best clothes. The traditional Chinese attire, called tangzhuang, which follows the fashion style of the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), has been quite popular in recent years. Children greet their parents and receive lucky red envelopes, called lishi, with money inside.

The rest of the day is spent visiting relatives, friends and neighbors. Many people abstain from meat on this day because it is believed this will ensure long and happy lives for them.

On the second day, people pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. Many are extremely kind to dogs as it is believed the second day is the birthday of all dogs.

The third and fourth days are for the sons-in-law to pay respect to their parents-in-law. Married daughters return home and bring candies, cookies and gifts to the parents, who will later show them off to neighbors. According to old customs, however, the daughters have to return to their husbands' homes before suppertime.

On the fifth day, people stay home to welcome the God of Wealth, as the day is believed to be the god's birthday. Shops light fireworks, prepare sacrifices, and burn incense to wish for good fortune in the new year.

The seventh day is the day for farmers to display their produce. Farmers make a drink from seven types of vegetables to celebrate the occasion. The day is also considered the birthday of human beings. Noodles are eaten to promote longevity.

On the eighth day people in the southeastern province of Fujian have another family reunion dinner, and at midnight they pray to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.

The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor, who is believed to be the emperor of both Heaven and Earth. People also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.

The 10th through the 12th are days for inviting friends and relatives to dinner.

After so much rich food, on the 13th day many people have simple rice congee and mustard greens to cleanse the system.

The 14th day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival, which is always held on the night of the 15th.

New Year activities

The lively atmosphere not only fills every household, but also permeates to streets and lanes. A series of activities are usually held for days until the Lantern Festival.

For Chinese, dragons symbolize supernatural power, goodness, fertility and dignity. The dragon dance, meaning good luck and prosperity, is a special performance during the Chinese New Year.

A dragon for the dance ranges from seven sections, about two to four meters each, to 13 sections long. Some dragons are as long as 46 sections. The normal length of body recommended for a dragon is 35 meters and divided into nine sections. A dragon this long is conducted by at least 36 people, with four people for each section.

The performances of dragon dance vary in ways, types and colors. A green dragon symbolizes great harvest; yellow symbolizes the solemn empire; golden or silver color symbolizes prosperity; red color represents excitement. The scales and tail of the dragon are usually a glittering silver color.

The patterns of the dragon dance are changed according to the skills and experiences of the performers. Some of the patterns of the dragon dance are “cloud cave,” "whirlpool," "looking for pearl," and "dragon coughs up the pearl." The movement "dragon chasing the pearl" shows the dragon is continually in pursuit of wisdom.

Walking on stilts is another traditional performance popular in China, especially in the northern part of the country. Chinese ancestors began using stilts to help them gather fruits from trees and this practical use of stilts gradually developed into a kind of folk dance. Today's skillful performers can execute truly amazing feats and extremely difficult movements on stilts. The professionals even put on dramas while walking on stilts.

Other traditional Chinese activities for the New Year include lion dances, lantern festivals and temple fairs.

Taboos

Appearance and attitude during the New Year's season sets the tone for the rest of the year.

All debts have to be paid by this time. Nothing should be lent out during the festival, because anyone who does will be lending all year long.

People should refrain from using foul language and bad or unlucky words. Death and dying are never mentioned and ghost stories are totally taboo. References to the past year are also avoided as everything should be turned toward the New Year and a new beginning.

If you cry on New Year's Day, you will cry all through the year. Therefore, children are tolerated and are not spanked, even though they may be acting mischievously.

On New Year's Day, people are not supposed to wash their hair, because it would mean they would have washed away good luck for the New Year.

The first person met and the first words spoken are significant to what the fortunes could be for the entire year. It is a lucky sign to see or hear songbirds or red-colored birds or swallows.

Also, knives and scissors are avoided as they may cut off fortune.

(Shenzhen Daily February 8, 2005)