Chinese Spring Festival–Chun-jie(Spring Festival)
Chinese festivals follow the traditional lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year, known as the Spring Festival orChunjie(春节), is the most important festival of the year.
The holiday marks the end of the coldest days of winter and the anticipation of spring and new beginnings. It is also a time to pray for a bountiful harvest.
The whole family is present, and the preparation of special dishes of symbolic value requires a lot of preparation. dumplingsjiao-zi(饺子), are considered lucky charms and are part of the food of northern China..
A southern family is having a multi-course feast in which more meat than usual will be served. Fish cakes represent a meeting and eating turnips brings good luck. The traditional New Year's Eve cake made from glutinous rice and brown sugar is also served.
The family stays up all night to watch the fireworks designed to ward off demons and bad luck. The houses are very illuminated and smell of incense. This incense is burned to welcome the return of the gods who left heaven at the end of last year. Gifts such as paper money, aluminum molds, and fruits are prepared for New Year's Day.
10 interesting facts about the Lunar New Year – Spring Festival
1. Sunday, January 22, 2023 is the beginning of the Chinese lunar year 4721.
When is Chinese New Year? The Chinese New Year date changes every year as it is linked to the Chinese lunar calendar. The first day of the Chinese New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, usually between January 21 and February 20.
The Spring Festival ends 15 days later, on the first full moon of the Lunar New Year, with a celebration known as the Lantern Festival.
2023 is the year of the rabbit
It is believed that people born in a certain year will have the personality traits of the animal of that year. Rabbits are known for their elegance and good manners; You are sophisticated and sensitive, with a keen sense of beauty. They are also known to be peaceful, friendly, and gentle. They are also believed to be lucky in love and money.
Was I born in the year of the rabbit?
If you were born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, or 2023, you are a rabbit. According to Chinese astrology, the zodiacal year is the lucky year. To make the most of this year, rabbits are encouraged to wear something red or pink, such as red socks, underwear, or jewelry.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Rabbit
Some famous people born in the year of the rabbit are Albert Einstein, Michael Jordan, Whitney Houston, Blake Lively, Brad Pitt, Kate Winslet, David Beckham, Angelina Jolie, Frank Sinatra, Quentin Tarantino, and Tiger Woods.
3. Spring migration, thechunyun,it is the largest annual human migration in the world.
Like the Americans who return home for Thanksgiving dinner every year, the main Spring Festival tradition is family gatherings. Almost everyone tries to spend New Year's Eve dinner with their parents. Most working-age Chinese live in cities, while their parents often still live in rural villages, leading to a mass migration of epic proportions. During the Spring Festival, Chinese people make nearly 3 billion trips by train, plane, ship, car, and bus.
4. Everyone ages a year on New Year's Day.
According to the traditional Chinese age counting systemxūsuì(虚岁) A person's age is calculated based on the number of lunar years or fractions of years they have lived.
For example, a baby born in November 2020 would live to be 4 years old in the Chinese New Year of 2023 because they would have lived for four lunar years... the years of the rat (2020), the ox (2021), the tiger (2022 ) and the rabbit (2023). ).
5. How to Say Happy New Year in Mandarin Chinese
a loss(Happy new year)- Happy new year!
chūn jiē kuài lè(Happy spring festival)- Happy Spring Festival! –
gong xǐ fa cai(May you be happy and prosperous)– I wish you success in the coming year.
gong oi gordo choy(May you be happy and prosperous)– I wish you good luck and prosperity (in Cantonese)
taza xīn xiǎng shì(May all your wishes come true)- May all your wishes come true.
Do you want to get the correct pronunciation? try onePimsleur Mandarin Class Free!
Watch this video for more New Year greetings...
6. Children receive lucky money in red envelopes
The Spring Festival tradition of handing out lucky money contained in red envelopes, also known as red bags, red packets, orHong Bao, intended to bestow blessings and transfer fortunes from the elderly to children. It is also common today to exchange red envelopes between employers and employees and even between colleagues and friends.
Hong Bao must be included on new invoices and the total amount must be an even number. The unlucky number "four" is a homonym for "death", so a red envelope should never contain an amount that contains a four.
As a sign of the times, digital red bags are all the rage. People send virtual Hong Bao to groups of friends and family through apps on WeChat and watch everyone compete to win packages by being the first to click on their smartphones. is calledQiang Hongbao, which means "take Hong Bao's money".
7. Cleaning and bathing are not allowed on Chinese New Year.
Before the Spring Festival, he sets aside a day to thoroughly clean his house, sweep away bad luck, and let in good luck. However, once the happiness of this New Year arrives, you should not take a bath, wash clothes, sweep or throw away the garbage for fear of washing away or throwing away your happiness. Other things that are taboo during the Spring Festival are insults, fighting, the use of scissors and knives, cutting hair, and unfortunate words like "disease" and "death."
8. Why do the Chinese decorate red and set off fireworks on Chinese New Year?
According to legend, the demonic monsternian, (also the Chinese word for "year") came out of hiding at the end of the long winter to terrorize the villagers and eat their children and livestock.
With most of the people huddled in their houses, an old man decided to fight Nian. Knowing that the monster was afraid of loud noises and the color red, the brave man dressed all in red and set off fireworks throughout the night. Nian left the village.
From then on, every spring, the villagers dressed in red, decorated their houses with red lanterns, banners, and paper cutouts, and set off fireworks to ward off monsters and bad luck. Today, China produces 90% of the world's fireworks.
Watch Nian's story below:
9. More than 2 billion people celebrate the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year
With almost 1/4 of the world's population, the Spring Festival is the most celebrated holiday in the world.
Countries where the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is an official holiday include mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, North Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Brunei. There are also major celebrations in cities like San Francisco, New York, Vancouver, London, and Sydney.
10. Rent a date to meet your parents
Deeply held Confucian ideals and traditions regarding marriage and lineage continuity mean that Chinese parents place enormous pressure on twenty-somethings to marry young and have grandchildren. In fact, professional women over the age of 27 are considered "residual girls" orsheng-nu.
This leads to great family anxiety at the New Year's gathering. An increasingly popular way for young singles to temporarily escape parental pressure and nagging is to hire a boyfriend or girlfriend online. For around $100/day you can hire a guest for your family party. There are several dating/rental apps with hundreds of “lovers for rent” listings to choose from.
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FAQs
How to say happy Lunar New Year 2023 in mandarin characters? ›
Happy Chinese New Year Wishes 2023 is expressed in Mandarin as xn nián ho (sshin-nyen haoww) (the formal way) Chinese: xn nián kuài lè (sshin-nyen kwhy-ler).
What is the animal for 2023 Lunar New Year? ›(The year 2023—starting January 22—is the Year of the Rabbit.)
What is the meaning of Lunar New Year 2023? ›The year 2023 in the Gregorian calendar is designated the Year of the Rabbit. The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese zodiac and symbolizes grace, beauty, mercy and good luck. Rabbits are also associated with the moon, because of the mythical Jade Rabbit who lives there.
What words are associated with Lunar New Year? ›Words include: festival, fireworks, firecrackers, Chinese New Year, lantern festival, phases of the moon, zodiac, year, tradition, prosperity, prosperous, calendar, family, fortune, golden, lights, longevity, symbols, reunion, lunar, spirits, success, emperor, wealth, good fortune, bamboo, blessings, and more!
How do you greet a rabbit year 2023? ›May the Year of the Rabbit be a year of joy and abundance for you and your family! Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit! Wishing you and your family a happy and prosperous Year of the Rabbit 2023 filled with good health, happiness and success!
How do you greet a rabbit in Chinese New Year? ›兔年快乐 — Happy year of the Rabbit! 兔年大吉 — Wishing you lots of luck in the Rabbit Year! 兔年兴旺 — Wishing you a prosperous year of the Rabbit!
Is 2023 a lucky year for Rabbit? ›The rabbit is the symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese Culture, thus 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. The Rabbit of 2023 falls under the wood element, with water as the complementary element.
What is the lucky color for Year of the Rabbit 2023? ›For 2023, the year of the Water Rabbit, the hue that will bring prosperity and positive energy is forest green; read on to discover more about the lucky color for 2023 and how to use it in interiors.
What is the lucky Colour for Rabbit 2023? ›The 2023 lucky colors, derived from both the Wood and Water elements, and the Yin polarity of the Year of the Rabbit 2023, are azure blue and apple green.
What colour to wear for Chinese New Year 2023? ›In Chinese culture, the color red is said to symbolize luck and represent strength and prosperity. It's therefore absolutely crucial to wear red during the Lunar New Year. This is especially true for those that represent that particular year's zodiac sign.
How do you celebrate the Year of the Rabbit? ›
- Wear red, not white. White symbolizes death in the Asian culture so wearing predominantly white is a no-no. ...
- Forget greeting cards. Give red envelopes instead! ...
- Don't cut or wash hair on New Year's Day. ...
- Avoid using a broom. ...
- Open windows. ...
- Eat traditional food.
This holiday is a celebration of family and human connections and a desire to bring prosperity and good fortune into the new year. While not a religious holiday per se, the great teachings of China — Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism — lend their influence to the festival and can add depth to the celebrations.
What animal symbolizes the Lunar New Year? ›Starting with the rat, and ending with a pig, the cycle of 12 animals repeats in this order incessantly. Year 2021 was associated to the Ox, 2022 is the year of Tiger, whereas 2023 will be known as the Year of the Rabbit.
What is the proper way to say happy Lunar New Year? ›There are many ways to wish someone a happy lunar new year in Chinese, the most common one being Xīnnián hǎo (新年好) meaning “New years goodness” or xīnnián kuàilè (新年快乐) which means the same, except with happy in Chinese, so “Happy new years.
What is the single word for Chinese New Year? ›In China, Chinese New Year is known as chūnjié (春节), or Spring Festival.
Which Chinese zodiac is luckiest in 2023? ›Which Chinese zodiac is luckiest in 2023? Rabbit, Pig, and Rat are the luckiest Chinese zodiacs in 2023.
Is the Year of the Rabbit the luckiest? ›(Years – 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023)
People born with Rabbit Chinese zodiac signs are the luckiest ones among other zodiacs.
“People born in the Rabbit year have to expect big changes health-wise, career-wise and relationship-wise. It could be a bit nerve-wracking, especially for those whose birth charts don't favor Water,” says Chow. “But do remember it never is all bad. It may mean an opportunity to grow.”
How do you wish good luck in the Year of the Rabbit? ›May the year of the rabbit bring you much luck with new opportunities. Wishing you happiness throughout the new year. Let the joy and happiness you feel during these celebrations stay with you. I wish love and togetherness for you and your family in this year of the Rabbit.
Why do you say rabbit rabbit at the beginning of a new month? ›Though it sounds a bit like gibberish, the phrase rabbit rabbit is a long-held superstition thought to bring about good luck. But it's not to be uttered just any old random day. Rather, if you say it on the first day of the month before any other words come out of your mouth, then luck is thought to be coaxed your way.
What is lucky on a rabbit? ›
The leg rationale is the same: in most folklore, the right side is considered the “good” side and the left is “cursed.” And obviously, the rear is much more sinister than the front. Therefore, the rear left foot had the worst luck of them all.
Who Should year of the Rabbit marry? ›In general, people in Chinese zodiac Rabbit sign should go together with people in Sheep, Monkey, Dog and Pig signs according to Chinese zodiac compatibility, but avoid being with people in Snake or Rooster signs. They are born to be a couple.
What is the weakness of the year of the Rabbit? ›People with Chinese zodiac sign of Rabbit are quite sentimental, so they may suffer from mental disease, such as insomnia, depression and irritability. Because of the tedious life, they may get heart disease. The best ways to get rid of these is to learn to manage the emotions and build up new hobbies.
Will 2023 be the year of Rabbit for Rooster? ›Rooster Chinese Horoscope 2023 reveals that the year of the Rabbit will be full of ups and downs for the Rooster natives. Some aspects of your life will see positive changes while others will witness challenges. You are advised to be ready for whatever life throws at you.
Which Colour is best for rabbit? ›Offering red carpets, cushions, or blankets to your rabbit allows them to seek out this vibrational energy whenever they need it. In my work with rabbits and other animals, it's very evident that they love to lie on the red when they lack regular contact with the outdoors. In contrast to red, blue is cooling.
What zodiac is good for rabbit? ›Which signs will thrive in the Year of the Rabbit? The Chinese zodiac signs that will have a great year are those that are compatible with the Rabbit—namely, the Sheep, Dog and Pig.
Is 2023 a lucky year? ›Things will go well for Sheep in 2023, especially in partnerships and collaborations. It is also a year of prosperous wealth for them and they can look forward to taking greater risks in investing. Work is also great for Sheep as this is a year of progression, meaning there is a chance for a raise or promotion.
What is special about the Year of the Rabbit? ›In 2023, the 22 January sees the rabbit welcomed in, and what a positive creature it is. People born in the rabbit year are said to be gentle, kind, and skilled at avoiding conflict. The Chinese zodiac's 12-year cycle sees the following animals get their time in the spotlight: Rat.
What is the golden Rabbit year? ›Gold Rabbits (1951, 2011)
People of the Gold element and Rabbit sign are kind-hearted and conservative, who don't like cut-throat competition with others. They don't like to make friends with those who are competitive or eager for quick success and instant benefits.
People dress in the vibrant color for the Lunar New Year because they'd like to bring good luck with them into the changing seasons. Two colors within Chinese culture, however, should be avoided: black and white, which are traditionally colors worn in times of mourning.
Which Colour is prohibited to be worn during Chinese New Year? ›
Never wear clothes in black during the Chinese New year because it is typically worn during funerals. The color has been associated with death.
What is the best color for 2023 New Year? ›White is traditionally associated with new beginnings, purity, and a fresh slate, so you can't go wrong. Donning yellow (or gold) could be a good choice as the color traditionally represents prosperity and riches — because, you know, gold.
What are people born in the Year of the Rabbit? ›In the Chinese culture, the rabbit is known to be the luckiest out of all the twelve animals. It symbolizes mercy, elegance, and beauty. People who are born in the year of the rabbit are calm and peaceful. They avoid fighting and arguing at all times, but are artistic and have good taste in life.
What do you eat in Year of the Rabbit? ›- Pan-fried noodles with pork. Noodles represent longevity in a number of Asian cultures, so they are eaten during the New Year celebration for good fortune, Zhang says. ...
- Whole fish with sauce. ...
- Sticky rice balls. ...
- Rice cakes. ...
- Spring rolls.
In modern times the festival is celebrated by different family groupings, including the church family, in the first month of the lunar year. Many themes surrounding the New Year Festival can serve as a focus for celebration and learning in the Christian home.
How do you bless the Lunar New Year? ›- 恭喜发财 (gōng xǐ fā cái) – May you be happy and prosperous.
- 财源广进 (cái yuán guǎng jìn) – May your money and treasures be plentiful.
- 招财进宝 (zhāo cái jìn bǎo) – May wealth and treasures fill your home.
Which is the luckiest zodiac sign of 2023? As per the horoscope 2023 trends, the luckiest zodiac sign in 2023 would be Sagittarius, Leo, and Libra. These zodiac signs can hope for a glorious 2023 in many aspects of life, especially love and career.
Which two animals are most important to the Lunar New Year? ›Animals play a significant role in the celebration of the Chinese New Year. The dragon, lion, and Nian celebrate new beginnings during the Spring Festival.
Is 2023 Tiger in the Year of the Rabbit? ›2023 is a year of the Rabbit. Tigers (those born in a Chinese zodiac year of the Tiger), according to Chinese astrology, compared with last year, your overall fortune is on the rise, and you are destined to be very comfortable in life and work.
How to say happy new year 2023 in Mandarin? ›Zhù nǐ 2023 xīnnián kuàilè, dàjí dàlì! Wishing you a happy New Year 2023, good luck and big profits!
How to wish for Chinese New Year 2023? ›
祝你新年快乐，大吉大利，万事如意！
Meaning: Wishing you a happy new year, good luck, and all the best! In Mandarin: Zhù nǐ xīn nián kuài lè, dà jí dà lì, wàn shì rú yì!
May the New Year 2023 bring you more happiness, success, love, and blessings! Wishing that you have a truly remarkable and blissful year ahead! Happy new year to you and your family! I'm blessed to know that I have friends like you in my life this New Year.
What does Gong Xi Fa Cai means? ›Gong Xi Fa Cai ("Wish you enlarge your wealth") is a common saying Chinese use over the Chinese New Year – even a toddler would say this to you when you visit a Chinese family during new year celebrations.
How to say happy Lunar New Year 2023 in Chinese? ›In Mandarin, the most common way to wish your family and close friends a happy Chinese New Year is "Xīnnián hǎo" (新年好), literally meaning 'New Year Goodness' or 'Good New Year'. Another way to say "Happy Chinese New Year" is "Xīnnián kuàilè" (新年快乐), literally meaning 'New Year happiness'.
What does gung hay fat choy mean in Chinese? ›Gung hay fat choy is how Cantonese speakers wish you a happy new year—literally "wishing you great happiness and prosperity."
How do you say happy Lunar New Year in Chinese characters? ›Another version could be to wish people a 'Happy Lunar New Year', this is written in Chinese as 过年好 / 過年好, and translates to “Guò nián hǎo". “Guò nián hǎo" is pronounced as 'gwor-nyen haoww' in Mandarin and 'gwor-nin haow' in Cantonese.
How do you say happy new year in Cantonese 2023? ›In Cantonese-speaking regions, it's more popular to say 恭喜发财 (gung1 hei2 faat3 coi4). This is a blessing for wealth and prosperity. The phrase is also used in other regions (Mandarin: gong xǐ fā cái). But the Cantonese like to say this in place of the usual “Happy New Year.”
How do you wish Chinese New Year in Mandarin? ›Happy Chinese New Year – 新年快乐 (xīn nián kuài lè)
As mentioned, this is the most common greeting used during the Chinese new year.
Chinese culture: five blessings, also known as the "Five Happiness" or "Five Good Fortunes", which refer to longevity, wealth, health and composure, love of virtue, and the desire to die a natural death in old age (or timely death).
What does Gong Xi fa cai mean in English? ›The loose translation in Mandarin is “wishing you prosperity in the coming year,” while the Cantonese translation is “wishing you happiness and prosperity.” Some people substitute prosperity for wealth, so it can mean “wishing you to make lots of money.” There are many traditions associated with Chinese New Year.
What is Gong Xi fa cai in English? ›
Gong Xi Fa Cai ("Wish you enlarge your wealth") is a common saying Chinese use over the Chinese New Year – even a toddler would say this to you when you visit a Chinese family during new year celebrations.
What is the difference between Xin nián Kuai Le and Gong Xi Fa Cai? ›So "Happy New Year" in English is "New Year Happy" in Chinese: Xin Nian Kuai Le. Gong Xi is congratulations or respectfully wishing one joy. Fa Cai is to become rich or to make money. Thus, Gong Xi Fa Cai means wishing you to be prosperous in the coming year.
What is Lunar New Year called in Cantonese? ›Let's begin with the most important one- Lunar New Year, or 農曆新年 in Cantonese. Because it's based on the Chinese calendar, this holiday falls on a different date every year.
What is the best wish for Lunar New Year? ›May you and your family enjoy health, wealth and happiness in the new year. I hope the Lunar New Year brings you and your family joy and blessings. May the new year bring peace, joy, and comfort to you and your family. May good fortune shine on you and your loved ones in the new year.
Is it OK to say Chinese New Year? ›When referring specifically to the new year event when Chinese traditions and culture are celebrated, you can refer to it as "Chinese New Year". "Lunar New Year" is a more general term and encompasses all celebrations that mark a new year according to a lunar calendar.
How do you say hello in Cantonese? ›Hello – Nei hou (你好) Thank you – Mm goy / Doh jeh (唔該/ 多謝) Good morning – Zou san (早晨)
What is the Chinese symbol for rabbit? ›The rabbit (兔) is the fourth in the twelve-year periodic sequence (cycle) of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. The Year of the Rabbit is associated with the Earthly Branch symbol 卯.