Chinese fresh Year, besides known as Spring Day, is 1 of the most crucial and most colorful holidays in the Chinese calendar. Each year is associated with 1 of 12 Chinese zodiac animals and 1 of 5 elements. The year of the Wooden Snake is simply a time erstwhile the energy of the component of the wood combines with the wisdom and cunning of the snake. How do the Chinese celebrate this peculiar time? We invitation you to travel through traditions, customs and tastes of this extraordinary holiday.
Preparations for Christmas: Cleaning, decorations and fresh clothes
Preparations for the Chinese fresh Year begin a fewer weeks before the feast itself. 1 of the most crucial rituals is General home cleaning. According to tradition, the order is to symbolically “throw out” bad energies and prepare the home for the coming of happiness and prosperity in the fresh year.
Decorations That's another key element. There are red lanterns, paper ornaments and the inscriptions “福” (fú), meaning happiness. Red is simply a colour that scares distant evil spirits and brings joy. It is besides worth mentioning orange treeswhich symbolize prosperity and abundance.
New Clothes It's a must-have for Chinese fresh Year. The Chinese believe that fresh outfits bring fresh beginnings and affirmative energy. Especially popular are red and gold colors that attract happiness.
Traditional decorations for Chinese fresh Year: red lanterns and inscriptions "福"
Family dinner: tastes of tradition
Dinner on Christmas Eve is the most crucial meal of the year. Families gather at the table to enjoy conventional dishes together. There must be no shortage of them fishwhich symbolizes excess and prosperity, and dumplings (jiaozi) whose form resembles ancient Chinese coins, bringing wealth.
In the year of the Wooden Snake peculiar attention is paid to dishes with vegetables and cerealswhich relate to the component of wood. Sweet delicacies specified as nate gao cookieswhich symbolize growth and development.
Traditional dinner for Chinese fresh Year: fish, dumplings and nannies gao
Fireworks and Lion Dance: Fearing Evil Spirits
When the clock strikes midnight, the sky shines fireworks. The firecracker's roar is designed to deter evil spirits, and bright lights symbolize the hope of a bright future. In cities and villages are besides organized parades and dances of lionsThat attracts crowds of viewers. The lion dance is not only a spectacle, but besides a ritual that brings happiness and prosperity.
Lion dance during Chinese fresh Year
Red envelopes and wishes: sharing happiness
One of the most awaited moments by children (and not only) is handing red envelopes (hongbao). The envelopes contain money that symbolize blessings and prosperity. In the year of the Wooden Serpent, it is especially crucial to share with loved ones and show appreciation.
Wishes for the fresh Year are besides an integral part of celebration. Chinese want each another health, happiness and prosperity, frequently utilizing a phrase ‘Xīnnián kuàilè’ (新年快乐), or "Happy fresh Year".
Red envelopes (hongbao) presented during Chinese fresh Year
Year of the Wooden Snake: what will it bring?
The snake is simply a symbol of wisdom, cunning and transformation. Combined with the component of wood that represents growth and creativity, the Year of the Wooden Snake announces a time of change and development. This is the perfect time to take on fresh challenges, learn and build relationships.
Snake symbol in Chinese astrology
Chinese fresh Year of Wooden The snake is simply a time of joy, household meetings and hope for a better future. Traditions specified as home cleaning, dinner together, fireworks and red envelopes remind of the importance of family, happiness and prosperity. Whether you are celebrating in China or on the another side of the world, the spirit of the Chinese fresh Year unites people around the world.
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
© www.chiny24.com
