The Chinese Spring Festival, also known as the Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year, is one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in China. It marks the start of the new lunar year and is a time for families to come together, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods and customs.
The Spring Festival is celebrated on the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar, which usually falls between January 21st and February 20th on the Gregorian calendar. In 2023, the Spring Festival is on February 1st. The celebration typically lasts for 15 days, with the climax on the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
One of the most important customs during the Spring Festival is the reunion dinner, where families gather together to share a meal and catch up on the past year. It is considered a time to forgive and forget any grudges and to start the new year on a positive note.
Another key tradition is the giving and receiving of red envelopes filled with money, known as “hongbao,” which are traditionally given to children and unmarried adults by older relatives. The red color of the envelopes symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the new year.
Decorations such as red lanterns, paper-cuts, and couplets (traditional Chinese New Year couplets) are also commonly seen during the Spring Festival, as they are believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Spring Festival is also a time for traditional performances such as dragon and lion dances, which are performed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. Also, fireworks are an essential part of the celebrations and are set off during the New Year’s Eve to welcome the new year.
Overall, the Chinese Spring Festival is a time for family, tradition, and celebrating the start of a new year. It is a time to reflect on the past and look forward to the future, and to share that time with loved ones and wish for a prosperous new year.
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