Xīnnián kuàilè 
新年快乐 
Happy New Year!

Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year and the Spring Festival, is a joyful time that takes place every year between January 21st and February 20th. It is celebrated in Chinese communities throughout the world, filling fifteen days with fireworks, food, family and traditions to welcome a new year. 

As always, the New Year festivities start on the new moon and usher in a year marked by one of the twelve sacred, guardian animals of the Chinese calendar. This year Chinese New Year starts on Friday, February 12th, and heralds the Year of the Ox. 

Origins and animals

There are many myths associated with Chinese New Year. The celebration is rooted in the tale of a monster named Nián that would terrorize Chinese villagers every year around this time, until one year they discovered it was scared of bright colors, loud noises and laughter. From then on, every New Year people would dress and decorate in red, light firecrackers, and have joyful gatherings.

But why is every year associated with one of twelve different animals?

Thanks to the heavenly Jade Emperor and his “Great Race.” Long ago he decided he needed twelve animals to help people keep track of time so he created a competition. Whichever twelve animals passed through his gates first would each be designated a year that would create the Chinese calendar. An announcement went out and the twelve winners arrived in this order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. (Watch this fun video on how Rat arrived first and why Pig came in last!)

Depending on which year you’re born, it’s believed that you will possess traits associated with the animal over that year. People born in the year of the Ox are regarded as honest, dependable, and dedicated. Learn more about how Year of the Ox might affect you! 

Ways to celebrate Chinese New Year

Set off firecrackers and fireworks

As mentioned above, firecrackers and fireworks turned out to be a very effective way to scare Nián away. They’re also a favorite way to celebrate new beginnings, even without monsters, and any time of year. If you live in or near a Chinese community, check schedules for fireworks. If there aren’t any formal fireworks nearby or you cannot attend, invest in some sparklers or safe fireworks you can enjoy in the street (as laws allow). At the very least, make some noise to keep the bad spirits away!

Dress and decorate in red

Since Nián also hated bright colors, red came to represent good fortune in China. People deck their homes, temples and bodies in this cheerful, bold color. One tradition families can enjoy is creating red paper cut outs to hang in doorways and windows. Traditionally they’re of dragons, peaches, fish, and other folk images, but they can be anything that represents good fortune to you. Have fun with red: dress in red, decorate with red candles and table cloths, maybe even get your nails done red with some gold decals (for added fortune)!

Invite dragons into your home

Anyone who has been fortunate enough to attend a Chinese New Year parade will probably have seen the famed dragon dance. Though the dragon didn’t win the Great Race, it is probably the most revered creature in Chinese mythology, symbolising good fortune. So Chinese New Year is an apt time to invite dragons into your home to bring you a little good luck too. Add a Chinese dragon to your centerpiece, put a dragon paperweight on your desk, perhaps a stone one in the garden. Online you can also find beautiful paper dragons to decorate with.

Give gifts of money in red envelopes

This tradition began with the Han dynasty and has become a large part of Chinese New Year with money gifted in red envelopes to ward off bad luck. Older family members give money to the younger generations to promote good fortune, while the young may return the favor to wish their elders a long life. Give it a try, either with real money or chocolate wrapped gold coins for the little ones! The proximity of Valentine’s makes it easy to find red envelopes in the stores, or have fun decorating your own, including New Year tidings and sentiments.

Eat special foods

If you’re a foodie you’ll have much to sink your teeth into for Chinese New Year! There are countless delicious foods and drinks prepared especially for this celebration, most with an equally special meaning. Mandarin oranges and kumquats are used for their golden color, while other foods, like spring rolls, dumplings and fish, are eaten because their Chinese character or pronunciation is similar to that of words of good fortune.. Wine instead of tea flows this time of year as  the word for alcohol (酒 / jiǔ) is pronounced the same as the word for long-lasting (久). Hence many toasts to long friendships and long lives!

Spend time with family

Holidays the world over are about spending time with family, and Chinese New Year is no different. It has been dubbed the “Spring Migration” and is many Chinese people’s annual vacation as they travel to reunite and bless the New Year with loved ones. Make a point to get together with family. If you want to follow Chinese tradition, the first five days of the fifteen day New Year celebration is dedicated to spending time with family and not going out. Since that fits well with most of our lifestyles right now, consider hosting family each night, either in person or via Zoom!

Honor relatives who have passed

It is not just living family members that are thought of during Chinese New Year, but also those family members who have passed. This is especially significant this new year, after the challenges we’ve faced. There are many ways that the Chinese people honor their ancestors at New Year. Here are some you might wish to try: setting a spot at the dinner table for those who have passed, serving ancestors’ favorite foods, and burning fake money in their honor. Even if you don’t choose any of these ideas, take time to remember and honor your loved ones.

Clean your home

Now this one must be followed exactly. It is true that part of Chinese New year is clearing out the old to invite good luck and prosperity into your home with the new year. However, this must be done before New Year arrives. Once New Year Day dawns you should not do any cleaning, sweeping or throwing for five days so that you don’t risk clearing away any new year good luck that arrived! So get all your “spring cleaning” (aptly named for this Spring Festival) done before February 12th then enjoy the festivities guilt-free until day five.

Light lanterns

The last event held during the Chinese New Year is called the Lantern Festival, during which people hang glowing lanterns in temples or carry them in nighttime parades. Many of us might have seen in person or in photographs the beautiful Kongming Lanterns that are released into the skies with wishes written on their sides. While it might not be possible for all of us to participate in this tradition, we can certainly light candles and lanterns we have around the house, or even make our own lanterns as a family craft projects. Google patterns or try this one.

Enjoy virtual celebrations

There is nothing like attending a Chinese New Year festival or parade, either in China or in the Chinese communities around the world that keep their culture and traditions alive, from San Francisco to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok. Chinese New Year will be celebrated a little differently this year, which may mean fewer traditional parades but more virtual opportunities for everyone to enjoy. Here we’ve shared a few sites you can check out for music, crafts, activities, and more: 

• Asia Society of New York

• Southern Oregon Chinese Cultural Association Presents

• Smithsonian Institute

Consider a virtual photoshoot with us to capture your Chinese New Year celebrations. Or book a photoshoot with family in a treasured spot to welcome in the Year of the Ox with all it’s good luck and fortune!