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Marked by red paper lanterns, sparkling fireworks, and mouthwatering dumplings, the lunar new year is one of the biggest holidays in Chinese culture. It celebrates the end of winter and the start of spring. Also, this day also welcomes the new animal for the Chinese zodiac calendar. This year, Chinese New Years’ traditions start on February 1st, with festivities celebrating the incoming year. Celebrations occur worldwide, with millions of people participating in Chinese New Year rituals and traditions.
10 Chinese New Year Traditions
If you’re looking to bring a bit of luck, happiness, and wealth into the next year, you can also partake in some of these famous Chinese New Year customs. You won’t want to miss out on starting one of these Chinese New Year rituals with your family!
1. Start Fresh
Start the New Year off fresh with the Chinese Near Year tradition of cleaning your house. Sort through your closet, empty that crowded junk drawer, feng shui your furniture, and give your entire place a good scrub. By cleansing your home of dust and dirt, you’ll get rid of any bad spirits from the previous year. We love this all-natural household spray, which cleans surfaces without littering your home with harmful chemicals or ingredients.
2. Chinese New Year Traditional Food
Holidays should be spent with family and friends, and that includes the Chinese New Year. That said, one of our favorite Chinese New Year rituals is to throw a festive dinner for your loved ones. You can whip up some Chinese specialties like pork dumplings, fortune cookies, and glutinous rice cakes. Then, don’t forget it wash it down with something delicious, like a nice bottle of red wine.
3. A Photo Finish
Similar to the Western holiday season, many people like to send greeting cards to family and friends to celebrate the Chinese New Year traditions. While you can always opt for an e-card, we prefer sending holiday greetings the old-fashioned way – by snail mail! These pop-up cards are incredibly unique and are guaranteed to delight and surprise your recipients on Chinese New Year.
4. Get What You Give
One of the most important Chinese New Year customs is to give money inside a hong bao, or red envelope. To explain, traditionally, a few coins or dollars are only offered to children and seniors, although many people now give red envelopes to anyone they wish to share good luck with. You may also choose to send your special loved ones red flowers or other small tokens of appreciation.
5. Chinese New Year Traditions with Red Lanterns
The color red is a prominent symbol in Chinese culture, as people believe it to scare away evil spirits and bring luck, happiness, and wealth in the new year. You can make this year your lucky year by decorating your home with different red items, like pillows, napkins, or even Chinese lanterns. However, if you’d rather celebrate more subtly, then you can also wear red items of clothing, like lucky red socks and underwear!
6. Song and Dance
Chinese New Year’s celebrations around the world are festive and elaborate, with live music, fireworks, and traditional Chinese lion dances. In China, there’s a 5-hour variety show with dancing, music, and performances. Better yet, they are broadcast around the country. And you can enjoy the festivities from the comfort of your home!
7. Orange You Glad to Celebrate
Along with dumplings and noodles, oranges are common foods given and eaten during Chinese New Year rituals. Not only is the bright color a symbol of happiness, but the word “orange” in Mandarin sounds similar to the word “wealth.” You can place a few oranges out as decoration, or you can give your loved ones a fruit basket full of oranges for good luck.
8. Shop to Celebrate
Out with the old and in with the new! One of our favorite Chinese New Year traditions is to go on a shopping spree to purchase a new outfit. That is to say, new clothes signify a fresh start! So, you’re free to take this opportunity to buy that new jacket or shirt you’ve been eyeballing the past few weeks. Additionally, if you’re looking for an extra boost of good luck, make sure that it’s something red!
9. Chinese New Year Traditions by Zodiac Signs
According to Chinese New Year customs, each year represents one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, but even if you weren’t born in the Year of the Rabbit, you could still channel good luck and fortune by wearing zodiac clothing. You can find your own animal here too!
10. Spiritual Cleanse
To finalize your luck for the new year, you can conduct a Qi cleansing ritual in your home. This removes the stale energy and welcomes more positive energy to fill your house with happiness and love. Start by standing in the main room of your home and clearing your mind of any wandering thoughts. Then fill the room with sound using a Tibetan singing bowl or bell. To end the ceremony, you can burn sandalwood incense to purify the air of any unwanted energy.
More Celebration Ideas
How do you plan to welcome the new year? Whether you’re tidying up your apartment, planning an extravagant meal, or sending your friends and families Chinese New Year’s greetings, there are plenty of ways to ring in the lunar new year! 新年快乐 (Happy New Year)!
