CHINESE SPRING FESTIVAL中国人过春节By: Aaron Africa

亚伦非洲

What is Chinese Spring Festival

It is how China celebrates its New Year. For many others it is known as Chinese 新年 . 新年 : Xinnian, New year

What is its origin

It originated from their old tradition of sacrifices on the end of their 太阴 Calendar. This meant tons of cleaning, preparation, and actual free time from labors. It was first started more than 4000 years ago.

太阴 : Taiyin, Lunar

How long is Chinese Spring Festival?

The Festival lasts for a total of 15 days, but the actual starting date varies. This year it starts on 二月 18

二月 : er yue, February

Who celebrates it?

All people in China celebrate the festival. A big majority of people of Chinese descent will celebrate as well. It can be frequently seen in the Chinatown areas of cities to have people celebrating and doing the Lion/Dragon dance.

What's eaten during Chinese Spring Festival

Tangyuan 汤圆Sweet Rice Balls mainly eaten on the day of the Lantern Festival, but is eaten for the whole of the Spring Festival as well.

Jiaozi 饺子Also known as Chinese dumplings, it is just dough wrapped around a mix of minced meat and vegetables.

WHAT'S DONE DURING THE FESTIVAL

The first day

People go out and visit their senior family members and extended family.

Firecrackers and fireworks are set off all over China as a way to scare away evil spirits and symbolize good luck.

Relatives and neighbors will also be visited by those that know them.

The second day

Also referred to as 应许日 or Ying Xu Ri, meaning to welcome sons-in-law

Daughters bring their husbands to their parent house, bringing small gifts and 红包 (Hong Bao) as well

Sacrifices are given to the God of Fortune as a way of good luck

Sometimes whole animals are sacrificed

The third day

This day is usually spent at home, with very little social activity or communication.

Is referred to as 吃口日 or Chi Kou Ri, meaning Red Mouth.

The Red mouth is taken as a symbol of fights and/or quarrels.

This day is very superstitious, as eating certain things can be believed to ruin the growing or out put of that certain thing.

The 15th day

This is the day when the Dragon and Lion dances are performed

This is also the day of the Lantern Festival, or Shang Yuan Jie 上远接

Parades will be running for the whole day, from morning to late afternoon.

Lanterns are released at night with writings written on them for good luck and fortune.

OTHER TRADITIONS

The Dragon and Lion Dance

A traditional dance done by dancers who are under the cloak of the animal.The dragon dance is done by multiple people with poles.The Lion Dance is done with 2 dancers under the Lion and act as the fore and rear legs of it, plus the head. Dragon: long 龍 Lion: shi zi 獅子

Hong Bao

Hong Bao 红包 is a red envelope given to the younger generation of a family that contains money. Usually given to them by an older family member, mainly adults.Has inscriptions written on it saying multiple things, including “New Year” “Luck” and many other things.

Chinese Zodiac

Based on a 12 year cycle.Uses elemental animals as symbols.Called shengxiao 生肖The 12 animals are rat, pig, dog, rooster, snake, dragon, horse, monkey, ox, rabbit, sheep, tiger.

My Zodiac

My sign is the snake or she 蛇Some of my values are: Intelligent Wise Materialistic Calm Courageous Lively communicative

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