The 15 Days of Chinese New Year
Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year. The festivities are enjoyed for around 16 days.
The celebrations are commenced by the initial cleaning of the home, this will help to avoid any good luck from being swept away during the new year festivities.
While enjoying the festivities of the new year, you can find all your essential ingredients for your delicious feasts at an oriental supermarket such as Oriental Mart.
Schools and businesses will be closed for a few days to ensure that everyone can spend time with their families. Parades and performances along with firework displays will engulf the streets and sky as they celebrate embarking upon a new year.
When is Chinese New Year?
The celebration will begin on the day of the first lunar month and will end on the next full moon, unlike the Gregorian calendar used by the UK which starts on the 1st.
Every year the Chinese New Year will change due to the moon. Although you can usually expect Chinese New year to fall between the 20th of January and the 20th of February.
Every twelve years an animal featured in the Chinese zodiac will have a year dedicated to them. These twelve animals consist of:
- Rat 5. Horse 9. Dragon
- Ox 6. Goat 10. Dog
- Tiger 7. Monkey 11. Snake
- Rabbit 8. Rooster 12. Pig
1st Day of Chinese New Year
The most important part of the day during ancient times was to visit others and wish them a happy new year. This included friends, family, neighbours and those of an older generation.
On the first day, firecrackers will be set off by families to drive away any evil spirits. In the modern age, younger people choose to spend this day shopping, partying and singing karaoke.
The 2nd Day of Chinese New Year
Also known as kāi nián, meaning the beginning of the year. The second day welcomes their extended family, namely sons-in-law. Married daughters will visit their parents home with their husbands.
Traditions will vary depending on the province, but it is common for there to be gifts and red envelopes for the children while enjoying lunch at the parents home.
The 3rd Day of Chinese New Year
The 3rd day was often regarded as an ominous day. Originally this day would prevent people from going out.
This is because evil spirits are believed to roam the earth on this day. Those who have had relatives pass in the past three years will avoid any house-visiting as an act of respecting the dead.
There are many taboos throughout the holiday such as cleaning, arguing, washing hair and many more. Although now traditional taboos during this time are often considered superstitions and disregarded.
The 4th Day of Chinese New Year
The fourth day is also referred to as Yang Ri, the day of the goat. On Yang Ri, the gods are welcomed, this includes the Kitchen God, the God of Fortune and others.
Chinese families will light candles and incense, as an offering families will prepare fruits, alcohol, fish, chicken and pork.
At midnight the windows will be opened to welcome in the gods and they can commence their feast, eating and drinking until daybreak.
The 5th Day of Chinese New Year
Po Wu is the name of the fifth day of the celebration, it is considered the birthday of the God of Fortune.
Celebrations include lighting firecrackers to draw the attention of the god as well as a large feast while keeping the windows of their homes open to welcome the god.
The 6th Day of Chinese New Year
Ragged clothes and rubbish will be thrown away to drive away any past poverty in the hopes of welcoming a prosperous new year.
The Ghost of Poverty, according to legend, is a short weak man who was the son of Emperor Zhuan Xu. Christened ‘The Man of Poverty’ he passed on and held his title and became recognised as the Ghost of Poverty.
The 7th Day of Chinese New Year
The Chinese mythological legend claims that human beings were created on the 7th day by Nu Wa, which is why this day is referred to as rén rì, the day of the Humans. A day of common men to be celebrated!
The 8th Day of Chinese New Year
This day is celebrated to appreciate the importance of agriculture and food. It is believed that if rain is to fall on this day, it is a sign of poor harvest prospects for the rest of the year.
This day is also a celebration of the millet crop birthday, a highly valued grain which was of great importance to ancient China.
The 9th Day of Chinese New Year
The god of Heaven is thought to have been born on the ninth day of new years. The god is also referred to as The Jade Emperor and Yu Huang, a sovereign of the universe.
Ceremonies will be held honouring the Jade Emperor and women will go to natural wells, harbours or open spaces with floral-scented candles and pray to the gods.
The 10th Day of Chinese New Year
This day is known as the birthday of the rock. In some religions, a clay jar will be frozen onto a smooth stone the night before, in the morning the jar will be carried by ten youths. If the stone doesn’t fall the year will offer good harvests.
The 11th Day of Chinese New Year
Also known as Pao Long Jie, the Dragon Dance Festival.
It is also a day where the father will invite their daughter and sons-in-law for dinner.
The 12th Day of Chinese New Year
Preparations for the Lantern Festival will begin on the 12th day. People often diet to cleanse their digestive systems from all of the rich food and feasts.
The 13th Day of Chinese New Year
This day is celebrated in Nantong City, it is a day that celebrates and appreciates the lantern.
The 14th Day of Chinese New Year
This day is mostly spent devoting time and energy to the preparations of the Lantern festival the following day. The public will visit the lantern fair to purchase their lanterns.
The 15th Day of Chinese New Year
Originally in the Ming Dynsty, the Lantern festival lasted ten days, it will now only last five days. This day is spent creating lanterns and playing lantern riddles, a game of writing lantern riddles on lanterns.
Explore our Lunar New Year food selection to get ready for the festivities!
