Think you could handle a New Year's celebration that lasts 15 days? Well, if you were Chinese you'd have no choice! However, unlike our Western drink 'til the ball drops, have a hangover and watch sports then make a few resolutions of change for the year ahead, this Eastern tradition is a celebration of family, welcoming prosperity, happiness and all things lucky in the year ahead.
While overall celebration lasts 15 whole days, it culminates in midnight fireworks the 14th night and the Lantern Festival on the 15th day (their New Year's Eve and New Year's Day respectively). Because the Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements (and the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days), they insert an extra month once every few years in order to "catch up" with the solar cycle. It's similar to our practice of adding an extra day for Leap Year and is the reason why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
Date aside, the Chinese New Year is unchanging in that starts on the first New Moon of the solar calendar and ends 15 days later with the first Full Moon.
Here's a look at what happens on each of the 15 days:
Day 1
This day is called "the welcoming of the gods of the heavens and earth." In addition to having all debts paid off by this time, many abstain from eating meat on the first day of the new year because it is believed that this will ensure a long and happy life.
Day 2
On this day, the Chinese pray to their ancestors as well as to all the gods. They are extra kind to whatever animal marks the year. They feed them as well and believe that this is the birthday of all the animal marking that year.
Days 3 & 4
The third and fourth days are reserved for the sons-in-laws to pay respect to their parents-in-law.
Day 5
This day is called Po Woo. It is reserved for people to stay in and welcome the God of Wealth into their homes. No one visits families and friends on the fifth day because it is thought to bring both parties bad luck.
Day 6
On this day, the Chinese visit their relatives and friends freely. They also visit the temples to pray for good fortune and health.
Day 7
The seventh day is considered the birthday of human beings. Uncut noodles are eaten to promote longevity (the longer the better!) and raw fish is eaten for success.
Day 8
Another family reunion dinner leads to a midnight prayer to Tian Gong, the God of Heaven.
Day 9
The ninth day is to make offerings to the Jade Emperor.
Days 10, 11 & 12
These are days that friends and relatives should be invited for dinner. After so much rich food, on the 13th day you should have simple rice congee and mustard greens in order to cleanse the system.
Day 13
This day should be for preparations to celebrate the Lantern Festival which is to be held on the 15th night.
Days 14 & 15
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove." It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.
Midnight on the 14th day brings a fireworks celebration and on New Year's Day the Lantern Festival is held, including a parade of children and a lantern display. This is bright red, festive celebration most Westerners associate with the holiday.
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