Source: China’s Last Dynasty, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) Imperial Flag
The Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival of the new moon is the most important traditional festival throughout Asia, reinforcing traditional values of family and social relationships.
The first day of the lunar new year falls between the winter solstice (dongzhi) and spring’s beginning (lichun). In 2024 the new lunar year falls on the new moon on February 10, and generally ends at the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth day full moon of the first lunar month. It is a cultural celebration with roots in agrarian folk traditions, and Taoist deities of the Jade Emperor and Tianguan, one of 3 Heaven Officials, who bestows Happiness on all that believe.
History of Chinese New Year Celebrations. The origin of the Chinese New Year is steeped in legend dating back to 3,500 years. One legend is that thousands of years ago a monster named Nian (“Year”) would attack villagers at the beginning of each new year. The conjured imaginary monster feared loud noises, the colour red, and loud sounds – so these became the deterrents to chase away bad luck and bring in good energy/fortune. The Chinese zodiac, or Shēngxiào, plays a significant role in Chinese New Year celebrations. Each year is associated with one of twelve animals in the zodiac cycle, and each animal is believed to have certain characteristics that influence the year’s events and the fortunes of individuals born under that sign.
The 2024 Yang Wood Dragon symbolizes transformation, growth, and balance of accepting and embracing change through our inner strength and seeking male and female balance in all relationships and environments. Chinese New Year is commonly commemorated by members of the Chinese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese, Malaysian, Singaporean, Cambodian, and Indonesian communities. Outside of Asia, Australia holds some of the biggest Lunar New Year celebrations in the world. Sydney’s version, for instance, is said to be the largest celebration of its type outside Asia.
Malaysia: ‘Gongxi Raya’ is celebrated by 7.5 million people in Malaysia. Chap Go Mei marks the end of the New Year celebration. Malaysian people adorn their houses with colorful lights and red lanterns lit at night. Chap Go Mei has a romantic courtship tradition of single females throwing oranges into the sea in the hope of attracting a boatsman/ good husband.
Thailand: while not a national holiday, the Chinese population is over 7 million in Thailand, and is widely celebrated throughout the country.
Singapore: over 19,500 people visited President Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s official residence set over 40 ha estate, to mark the third day of the Chinese New Year on February 12th.
South Korea: “Seollal,” (Korean New Year) is celebrated at the same time as Chinese New Year with a public holiday festival – whereby wearing a traditional Hanbok with bright colours rather than ‘red’, symbolises hopes for a bright future.
Japan: While Japan follows the Gregorian calendar of the 1st of January being the New Year, minority groups of Koreans 437,000 and Chinese approx 762,000 do celebrate with traditional festivities. In Osaka, where the largest population of Koreans reside, are numerous Korean Temples spotted throughout the suburbs – and in Yokohama China town is the famous Guan Gong Temple and Ma Zhu Miao Temple.
Indonesia: ‘Imlek’ is Indonesia’s Chinese New Year. Yin De Yuan Temple in the capital of Jakarta, which was built in 1650, and a popular Chinese New Year family excursion, decorated with red lanterns, large red candles, and fireworks, celebrated by several million Chinese.
Vietnam: Tết is the Chinese New Year name. Tết is a significant cultural event in Vietnam, celebrated by both ethnic Vietnamese and Chinese-Vietnamese communities – observing traditional customs and rituals, such as cleaning their homes to sweep away bad luck, offering prayers to ancestors, preparing special foods, giving gifts, and lighting firecrackers.
It is customary to wear new clothes, clean one’s home, and share festive meals with loved ones during Chinese New Year celebrations.
Gift Giving in Asia is big at any time, but more so at New Lunar Year celebrations – symbolising good luck, prosperity, and happiness, such as:
– Red envelopes (hóngbāo) containing money, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity.
– Oranges and tangerines, which represent wealth and abundance.
– Traditional Chinese sweets and candies, symbolise a sweet and prosperous year ahead.
– Decorative items featuring the color red and traditional Chinese symbols of “福” (fú), meaning “good fortune” or “blessing”- such as paper cuttings and lanterns.
– Gift baskets filled with assorted fruits, nuts, and other auspicious treats.
– Tea sets or quality teas, symbolizing harmony, and hospitality.
