Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring festival. The date changes each year and it marks the beginning of a new Lunar Year. It is celebrated between January 21st or February 20th. And is also considered as one of the most important Chinese festival as celebrating it means an auspicious start to the New Year.
The History Behind Chinese New Year
There are many traditional stories associated with the Chinese New Year. One of the most popular stories, being the story of the Zodiac Animals or also known as the Great Race. It is a popular legend in Chinese mythology. Legend tells a story about the Ruler of Heavens, the Jade emperor. Who organised a race between the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The rat hitched a ride on the ox’s back and leaped off just before the finishing line. Therefore securing the first position in the zodiac calendar.
The Chinese New Year is about removing the old and bad, while welcoming good and new things. It’s also considered good luck to pray for good things, and to give thanks to the ancestors.
In the lead up to the Chinese New Year, people clean their homes and sell/throw away or donate items. They also decorate their homes with red furniture, lanterns and couplets, as a way to bring in good luck and happiness.
What Type Of Food Is Made During Chinese New Year ?
Chinese New Year is celebrated with abundance, including the variety of traditional dishes made. Each dish has a symbolic meaning. Such as Longevity Noodles, these are long noodles that are served to represent a long and happy life. Dumplings and spring rolls are a symbol of wealth, whereas Niangao or the glutinous rice cake shows you will have higher income or position in society during the year to come. If you’re thinking of a Chinese New Year gift then Oranges and Tangerines are the one to gift! As these fruits symbolises wealth and prosperity.
What’s amazing about the Chinese New Year is that it helps people get past all the challenges they faced in the previous year. It allows them to move on and start the new year with a fresh, positive perspective. The foods you encounter during these celebrations are a testament of that. Not only do they signify happiness and growth, but they also encourage people to think positively and turn a new, happy leaf in their life. That’s what makes the Chinese New Year festival special, because it allows people to embrace positivity and focus on their life for a change, something that helps bring life into focus!