Chinese New Year Facts

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35 fun facts about Chinese New Year including 10 fun facts about Chinese New Year especial for kids plus much more!

Chinese New Year Facts


Table of Contents

Fun Facts About Chinese New Year – About Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is the most important traditional festival celebrated by Chinese communities around the world. It marks the beginning of the new lunar year according to the Chinese lunar calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar used in most Western countries. The festival usually falls between January 21st and February 20th, depending on the lunar calendar.

Chinese New Year celebrations last for about 15 days, with various customs, traditions, and activities taking place during this period. It is a time for family reunions, paying respect to ancestors, and wishing for good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.

In addition to the fun facts about Chinese New Year, here are some key aspects of Chinese New Year:

  1. Reunion and Family Gathering: Chinese New Year is a time when families come together from near and far to celebrate. Many people travel back to their hometowns to be with their families during the festivities.
  2. Red Decorations: Red is the dominant color during Chinese New Year, symbolizing luck, happiness, and prosperity. Homes and streets are adorned with red lanterns, banners, and other decorations.
  3. Traditional Foods: Special dishes are prepared for the New Year’s Eve dinner, with each food having symbolic significance. Common foods include fish (representing surplus and prosperity), dumplings (symbolizing wealth and good luck), and various sweet treats.
  4. Fireworks and Firecrackers: Fireworks and firecrackers are set off at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ward off evil spirits and welcome the new year with a loud and colorful spectacle.
  5. Giving Red Envelopes (Ang Pao/Hong Bao): Elders and parents give red envelopes filled with money to children and unmarried adults as a symbol of good luck and blessings.
  6. Dragon and Lion Dances: Colorful dragon and lion dances are performed in the streets, accompanied by drums and cymbals, to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
  7. Visiting Friends and Relatives: During the festival, people visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings and well-wishes for the new year.
  8. Lantern Festival: The 15th day of the lunar new year marks the Lantern Festival, with beautiful lantern displays and various activities taking place.

In addition to the fun facts about Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy by Chinese communities worldwide. It is a time of renewal, reflection, and hope for a prosperous and harmonious year ahead.

Chinese New Year Facts

Fun Facts About Chinese New Year – 25 Fun Facts

Here are 25 fun facts about Chinese New Year:

  1. Chinese New Year is also known as the Spring Festival because it marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring.
  2. It is based on the lunar calendar and falls on a different date each year, usually between January 21st and February 20th.
  3. The festival lasts for 15 days, with each day having its own significance and customs.
  4. It is the most important traditional holiday in China and is celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide.
  5. The festival’s date is determined by the cycles of the moon, making it different from the fixed date of the Western New Year.
  6. The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal. 2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit.
  7. The New Year’s Eve dinner is the most important meal during the festival, and families strive to have a grand feast together.
  8. The Chinese character “福” (Fú), meaning “good fortune” or “luck,” is commonly displayed upside down on doors during the festival as a play on words for “arriving” or “coming.”
  9. Red envelopes (Ang Pao/Hong Bao) containing money are given as gifts to children and unmarried adults, symbolizing good luck and blessings.
  10. The color red is believed to scare away evil spirits and bring good fortune and happiness. Red decorations are prevalent during the festival.
  11. Fireworks and firecrackers are set off at midnight on New Year’s Eve to ward off evil spirits and bring in the new year with a bang.
  12. People clean their homes before New Year’s Day to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck.
  13. Many Chinese families decorate their homes with paper cuttings, couplets, and other auspicious symbols during the festival.
  14. The Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the lunar new year, marks the end of the celebrations with beautiful lantern displays.
  15. It is customary to wear new clothes during Chinese New Year to symbolize a fresh start.
  16. Children receive “lucky money” (压岁钱, Yāsuìqián) from older family members in red envelopes, representing a wish for their growth and prosperity.
  17. The kitchen is not used on New Year’s Day to avoid cutting or using knives, which might symbolize “cutting off” good fortune.
  18. Dragon and lion dances are performed to bring good luck, happiness, and prosperity to communities during the festival.
  19. Many people set up a “Nian Gao” (Sticky Rice Cake) during the festival, symbolizing growth and progress.
  20. The festival also involves various traditional games and activities, such as guessing lantern riddles and playing mahjong.
  21. People light incense and pray at temples during the festival to seek blessings and protection from deities.
  22. In Chinese tradition, it is considered bad luck to wash one’s hair on New Year’s Day.
  23. Fish is a popular dish during the festival as its name (鱼, yú) sounds like “surplus” in Chinese, symbolizing prosperity.
  24. The Chinese New Year’s Gala (Chunwan) is a massive television event watched by millions of people in China on New Year’s Eve.
  25. The festival is an opportunity for family reunions and honoring ancestors, with many people visiting cemeteries to pay their respects.

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Chinese New Year!

Fun Facts About Chinese New Year – 10 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 10 fun facts about Chinese New Year that kids might enjoy:

  1. Chinese New Year is also known as the “Dragon Dance Festival” because of the lively dragon dances performed in the streets with colorful dragon costumes and exciting music.
  2. The Chinese zodiac assigns each year to a different animal. Kids can find out which animal represents their birth year and learn interesting characteristics about their zodiac sign.
  3. Children receive red envelopes called “lucky money” or “hong bao” filled with money from their elders during the festival. It’s like receiving special gifts and surprises!
  4. Fireworks are a big part of Chinese New Year celebrations. Kids can imagine the sky lighting up with brilliant colors and loud booms, just like a magical light show.
  5. Families often clean their homes before the festival to sweep away bad luck, but kids will be happy to hear that after the cleaning, they can decorate their homes with beautiful and colorful decorations.
  6. The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year celebrations, and kids would enjoy seeing lanterns of different shapes and sizes light up the night sky.
  7. Chinese New Year is a time for yummy food and special treats. Kids can try delicious dumplings, sticky rice cakes, sweet tangyuan, and more.
  8. Wearing new clothes during the festival is considered lucky, and kids would be excited to show off their new outfits to friends and family.
  9. During Chinese New Year, there is a tradition of giving oranges or tangerines as gifts, as they symbolize luck and wealth.
  10. Kids can have fun playing traditional Chinese New Year games like the “Lantern Riddles” game, where they guess the answers to riddles written on lanterns to win small prizes.

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year Facts

Chinese New Year Facts – What is Special About Chinese New Year?

In addition to the fun facts about Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is a special and significant celebration for several reasons:

  1. Cultural Significance: Chinese New Year is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and has been celebrated for thousands of years. It represents a time to honor traditions, customs, and values that have been passed down through generations.
  2. Family Reunion: Chinese New Year is the most important time for family reunions. It is a period when family members from different parts of the country or even the world come together to celebrate and strengthen family bonds.
  3. Welcoming the New Year: It marks the beginning of a new lunar year, signifying a fresh start, new opportunities, and hope for the future. It’s a time for reflection on the past and looking forward to a prosperous and harmonious year ahead.
  4. Symbolism and Superstitions: The festival is rich in symbolism and traditions, each carrying specific meanings. Everything from the color red (representing good luck) to certain foods and decorations has special significance.
  5. Worldwide Celebration: Chinese New Year is not only celebrated in China but also in many other countries with significant Chinese communities. The festival’s global reach showcases the cultural diversity and influence of Chinese traditions.
  6. Festive Atmosphere: During Chinese New Year, the streets, homes, and public spaces are adorned with vibrant decorations, lanterns, and lights, creating a lively and joyous atmosphere.
  7. Traditional Food: Special dishes are prepared for the New Year’s Eve reunion dinner, each with symbolic meanings related to prosperity, good fortune, and longevity. The variety of delicious food adds to the festive spirit.
  8. Dragon and Lion Dances: The captivating dragon and lion dances, with their colorful costumes and energetic performances, are a hallmark of the festival and bring joy to communities.
  9. Generosity and Gratitude: The custom of giving red envelopes with money (lucky money) to children and unmarried adults reflects a spirit of generosity and bestowing blessings for the year ahead.
  10. The Lantern Festival: The 15th and final day of the festival, known as the Lantern Festival, is celebrated with beautiful lantern displays and various cultural activities, adding to the overall charm of the festivities.

In addition to the fun facts about Chinese New Year, Chinese New Year is a unique and cherished celebration that exemplifies the richness of Chinese culture, the importance of family, and the optimism for a bright and prosperous future. It’s a time when people come together, share joy, and embrace the values of unity and tradition.

Chinese New Year Facts – How Long is Chinese New Year?

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is celebrated over a period of 15 days. The festival starts on the first day of the lunar new year and ends on the 15th day, which is known as the Lantern Festival. Each day of the 15-day celebration holds special significance and various customs and traditions.

In addition to the fun facts about Chinese New Year, here’s an overview of the key days during Chinese New Year:

  1. Day 1: The first day marks the beginning of the lunar new year. Families gather for a reunion dinner and offer prayers to ancestors.
  2. Days 2 to 7: These days are dedicated to visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors to exchange greetings and well-wishes.
  3. Day 8: The eighth day is known as the “Day of the Rat” and is traditionally considered an auspicious day for business and social activities.
  4. Day 9: This day is often associated with the Jade Emperor’s birthday, and people pray for good fortune and blessings.
  5. Day 15: The Lantern Festival takes place on the 15th day, marking the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. People light and display colorful lanterns, enjoy lion and dragon dances, and eat sweet rice dumplings called “tangyuan.”

Throughout the 15 days, there are various customs, traditions, and activities that families and communities engage in, making Chinese New Year a festive and joyous occasion filled with cultural significance and symbolism.

Chinese New Year Facts – What are the Years in the Chinese Lunar Calendar?

Another fun fact about Chinese New Year is that the Chinese lunar calendar follows a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by one of the twelve zodiac animals. Here are the years in the Chinese lunar calendar and their corresponding zodiac animals:

  1. Rat: 2020, 2008, 1996, 1984, 1972, 1960, 1948, 1936, 1924, 1912
  2. Ox: 2021, 2009, 1997, 1985, 1973, 1961, 1949, 1937, 1925, 1913
  3. Tiger: 2022, 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962, 1950, 1938, 1926, 1914
  4. Rabbit: 2023, 2011, 1999, 1987, 1975, 1963, 1951, 1939, 1927, 1915
  5. Dragon: 2024, 2012, 2000, 1988, 1976, 1964, 1952, 1940, 1928, 1916
  6. Snake: 2025, 2013, 2001, 1989, 1977, 1965, 1953, 1941, 1929, 1917
  7. Horse: 2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942, 1930, 1918
  8. Goat (or Sheep): 2027, 2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967, 1955, 1943, 1931, 1919
  9. Monkey: 2028, 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968, 1956, 1944, 1932, 1920
  10. Rooster: 2029, 2017, 2005, 1993, 1981, 1969, 1957, 1945, 1933, 1921
  11. Dog: 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, 1934, 1922
  12. Pig (or Boar): 2031, 2019, 2007, 1995, 1983, 1971, 1959, 1947, 1935, 1923

Each zodiac animal is believed to have specific characteristics and influences on the individuals born in that year, making the Chinese zodiac an essential part of Chinese culture and horoscopes.

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Chinese New Year Facts

We hope you enjoyed these facts about Chinese New Year!