Chinese New Year

Article archived: February, 2010

The Chinese New Year, celebrated by well over one billion people, is one of the longest and most colorful holidays of the lunar calendar. The 2010 New Year festivities run from February 14-28, and will be celebrated according to centuries-old traditions — and with exuberant feasts.

After reading our guide, you'll know more about this 15-day event, including the good luck rituals and exciting cuisine of one of the world's most popular celebrations.

Good fortune

Many of the traditions surrounding the Chinese, or Lunar, New Year are based around luck. It is of the highest priority to invite good luck into the home, and to scare away bad luck — embodied by Nián, the mythical dragon. Nián is also the word for "year," and scaring away Nián represents the old year leaving.

As a nod to the good fortune each family is sure to have in the coming year, and a reference to the passing of Nián, the most common greeting during the changing of years is "Congratulations!"

Wordplay is an important part of celebrating, and during this time of year, foods are eaten specifically because of their names. Ingredients like fish, which sounds like "surpluses;" garlic chives, which sound like "everlasting;" turnips, which sound like "good omens;" and mandarin oranges, which sound like "luck," are used throughout the New Year. Dumplings, which represent good luck and fortune, are dough-covered snacks filled with meat, fish or vegetables that are enjoyed throughout this holiday.

Other centuries-old good luck traditions include:

The color red. Said to scare away bad spirits and tidings, bright red is present throughout every aspect of the Chinese New Year celebration.
The hanging of "Spring couplets" is common in traditional homes, and these red scrolls or pieces of paper are generally hung upside down. The phrase "upside down" is a homonym for "arrival" — and signifies the arrival of the New Year.
Firecrackers are popular in public and private celebrations alike. The loud noises are said to scare away Nián. Governments around the world sponsor large fireworks displays as a way to keep citizens safe, while supporting ancient traditions.
The lion is considered a symbol of good luck, and said to help drive Nián away. Many festivals and parades will include a lion, in addition to the large dragon that represents Nián.

China is across the ocean, but you don't need to look far for a taste of luck! Canned mandarin oranges make a delicious addition to salads, and store-bought dumpling wrappers from Giant Eagle^® can be customized to hold a variety of delicious fillings — from bean sprouts to shrimp to shredded pork.

Time to celebrate

In modern times, most families and businesses only celebrate the first few days of the 15-day event, plus the Lantern Festival on the final day. Businesses re-open and family visits come to a close within five to eight days of New Year's Day. (Still, the latter days of the New Year's celebration are packed with traditions, meals and customs.)

New Year's Eve — this year, February 13 — is when the largest meal is consumed. Having an abundance of good food is a sign of the wealth and abundance of the upcoming year. New clothes are often worn on New Year's Day to signify and welcome prosperity.
It's considered bad luck to kill animals or to cook on New Year's Day, so meals consumed on this day must be cooked beforehand. The day itself is traditionally devoted to visiting family and relatives.
On the second day of the New Year, married daughters visit their birth families (some have to travel great distances to do so). In addition, on the second and third days, families take time to visit the graves of their ancestors.
During visiting events, married couples traditionally give red envelopes of money to single people and children.
The New Year is also when businesses reward their workers with bonuses and time off.
In big cities throughout the world — including major U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York City — lavish parades are thrown to celebrate the Chinese New Year. These parades include good luck traditions, from the color red and lucky lions, to large-scale puppets of the dragon Nián.
The Lantern Festival is held on the final day of the New Year celebration — this year, February 28. It is celebrated with hundreds of paper lanterns, and is a time for reunion and forgiveness. In some parts of the world, the tradition of "walking through the lanterns" symbolizes having successfully navigated the hardships of the last year.

This Chinese New Year, invite new tradition — and some good luck — into your home. Visit your family, enjoy Asian cuisine, and envision the good fortune that may come your way.

Sources: National Endowment for the Humanities, (www.neh.gov)
The Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China, (www.gov.cn/english)
Taiwan Government Information Office, Republic of China, (www.gio.gov.tw)
Singapore Government Information, (www.gov.sg)