Chinese New Year is one of the most important traditional festivals in China, celebrating the arrival of the Lunar New Year, with a long history rich in traditional stories and customs.
Chinese New Year Customs
Putting up Spring Festival Couplets
On the eve of Chinese New Year, every family will put up Spring Festival couplets (春联) and the Chinese character for “福” (fu) on their doorsteps. Chinese New Year couplets are usually written on red paper and contain auspicious sayings, symbolizing good luck in the new year. The Chinese character “福” represents happiness and good luck, and many families will post the character “福” upside down to signify “福到”(Good fortune has arrived.).
New Year's Eve Dinner
The New Year's Eve dinner is one of the most important traditions of the Chinese New Year. This sumptuous family meal symbolizes reunion and harmony, and usually includes a number of dishes that symbolize wealth, longevity, and good fortune. For example, fish (which means “year-round surplus”), dumplings (which symbolize wealth and good luck), and sweet dumplings (which symbolize a round delegation).
Fireworks
Firecrackers are one of the most important customs of Chinese New Year, stemming from the tradition of warding off evil spirits. Legend has it that the “New Year's beasts” are afraid of loud noises and fire, and firecrackers are set off to scare away these evil beings. During Chinese New Year, especially on New Year's Eve, fireworks and firecrackers are set off in cities and villages to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
New Year's Eve
The New Year's Eve vigil is when family members stay awake together on New Year's Eve to welcome the new year. The New Year's Eve celebration is usually accompanied by a reunion New Year's Eve dinner and a night of laughing and joking, sometimes staying up late to watch the Spring Festival Gala and wait for the New Year's bell to ring.
Chinese New Year Wear
Red is the main color of Chinese New Year, symbolizing good luck, wealth and warding off evil spirits. During Chinese New Year, many people wear new red clothes to symbolize a new beginning and a prosperous new year. Wearing new clothes is not only to welcome the new year, but also to express the joy of saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new.
Qipao
The qipao is a very traditional Chinese New Year garment that embodies elegance and beauty. Modern qipao designs often add some fashion elements while maintaining the traditional style, which has a classical flavor without losing the modernity.
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New Chinese Style
New Chinese style clothing adds a modern sense of fashion and comfort while retaining traditional Chinese elements, and can be worn not only during such traditional festivals, but is also a great option to wear in everyday life.
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Red Traditional Hanfu
Wearing traditional Chinese clothes for Chinese New Year not only shows the beauty of ancient Chinese dresses, but also makes the celebration of Chinese New Year more cultural; not only can you feel the unique charm of traditional festivals, but also show your personal temperament and taste.
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Insumary
May the new year be full of blessings, good career, family happiness, health and peace for all! Happy Chinese New Year and all the best! 🌸🎉🎉🎉