Chinese New Year marks the beginning of the New Year in the traditional Chinese calendar. This festival is celebrated in various countries of Asia with utmost enthusiasm. Check out the 8 interesting facts about this vibrant New Year below.
This festival is also known as ‘Spring Festival ‘because…
Although it’s in winter, you must be wondering why Chinese New Year is also known as ‘Spring festival’. It is because the festival marks the beginning of the spring of season according to the traditional solar calendar of China. The beginning of the spring indicates the climax of the most frigid part of the winter and it gives people hope to wait for days with a better climate.
Every Year brings a New Date for the Beginning of Chinese Calendar
The Chinese New Year comes with different dates every year which is based on the Chinese lunar calendar. The range for this date usually falls between January 21 and February 20. The year 2019 witnesses the amazing start on February 5.
New Zodiac Animal for the New Year
Every Chinese New Year comes with a new zodiac animal of the 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. These are Pig, Dog, Rat, Tiger, Dragon, Horse, Monkey, Ox, Rabbit, Snake, Goat and Rooster. The year 2019 is considered as the year of Pig.
Celebrated by almost a Quarter of the World’s Population
The spring festival has a lot of attraction from over nine countries in Asia and is said to have been celebrated by over 2 billion people. The following countries have an official holiday just to mark the beginning of the Chinese New Year. These include Mainland China, Macau, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, North Korea, Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Brunei.
World’s Largest Annual Migration seen during the Spring Festival
This festival is very close to the heart of the Chinese people and they spend it with their families in the most traditional way. Hence, people about 200 million Mainland Chinese travel from various parts of the world to China which makes up the world’s largest annual migration.
Spring Festival celebrated until the occurrence of Lantern Festival
From the beginning of the New Year day, spring festival is celebrated for 16 days till the arrival of the Lantern festival. On the 15th evening, people gather with their families and dine out, light the lanterns and fireworks and celebrate the festive season.
No Sweeping, Cleaning Or Washing On The First Day Of Spring Festival
On the first day of the Chinese New Year, the people of Chinese follow strict rules of not washing hair or clothes because of the superstitious belief which indicates the washing away of one’s fortune. Similarly, garbage cleaning or sweeping is considered as throwing away luck out of the home. Hence, these works are restricted.
Exchange of Red Envelopes
Red is considered a colour of luck in Chinese traditions. Hence, the people send out red envelopes as a sign of spreading wishes and good luck.
Fake Boyfriend/Girlfriend to take home
Not all have partners to take home during Chinese New Year. Also, it is frowned upon by parents if their children of the appropriate age have not yet found any partners for their life. Hence many singles hire fake girlfriends or boyfriends to take home to celebrate the festival. Weird right?
Exchange of Red Envelopes
Red is considered a colour of luck in Chinese traditions. Hence people send out red envelopes as a sign of spreading wishes and good luck.