Chinese New Year

INRODUCTION AND ORIGIN –

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. Different cultures have used different calendars through years, Chinese New year is tied to the Chinese lunar calendar. This celebration has enjoyed the history of more than 3500 years. It was traditionally a time to honor household and heavenly deities as well as ancestors. The term Nian (New Year) first appeared in Zhou Dynasty (a Chinese dynasty) where it was a custom to offer sacrifices to God and ancestors and to worship nature. History remarks that the day of celebration was fixed in Han Dynasty (the second imperial dynasty of china) with passage of time apart from worshiping Gods and Ancestors people began to entertain themselves on New Year. It also became a time to bring family together for feasting.

 

Ways of celebration –

Celebration of New Year starts way before the day has arrived. People clean their houses to make them ready for celebrations. In china there is tradition of not picking up broom when the New Year comes as it is believed that if one does so, they also sweep the good luck of the New Year out of the door. The celebration is incomplete without Foods. People on this day enjoy delicious and lucky food. Parades and performances are planned where people get dressed in their traditional dresses. Fireworks  plays an essential role in  celebrations of New year  as it is believed that noise and lights will scare away any evil spirits .People get dressed in Red color as it is also a way  to scare evil spirits. Red Lanterns and red are hanged on windows and doors. Adults gave red envelopes to children with money in it. The full celebration lasts for 15 days. Eating fish is an important part the celebration.

 

How kids celebrate it?

Kids celebrate New Year with Dragon and lion dances, They help in the decorations of house and streets, they pay visit to their nearby friends and enjoy delicious food cooked on New year.

Kids also learn more about their tradition and cultures.

 

Books on Chinese New Year-

·         MY FIRST CHINESE NEW YEAR (LINK)

·         DRAGON DANCE (LINK)

·         BRINGING IN THE NEW YEAR (LINK)

·         THE DANCING DRAGON (LINK)

·         LUCKY NEW YEAR (LINK)

·         D IS FOR DRAGON DANCE (LINK)

·         CELEBRATING CHINESE NEW YEAR  (LINK)

 

 

Ways to wish on Chinese New Year

• 恭贺新禧 (gōng hè xīn xǐ) – Good luck in the year ahead
• 心想事成 (xīn xiǎng shì chéng) – May all your wishes come true
• 万事如意 (wàn shì rú yì) – May everything go well for you
• 笑口常开 (xiào kǒu cháng kāi) – May your year be filled with abundance of smiles and laughter
• 五福临门 (wǔ fú lín mén) – May the five blessings (longevity, wealth, health, virtue, and a natural death) come to you
• 身体健康 (shēn tǐ jiàn kāng) – Wishing you good health
• 龙马精神 (lóng mǎ jīng shén) – Wishing you lots of energy and good spirit

 

Gifts ideas on Chinese New Year   

·         Red envelope  (link)

·         Health food (link)

·         Tea (link)

·         Fruits (link)

·         Toys (link)