Inside the Lunar Festivities: A Look at Chinese New Year Celebrations and Customs

Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (春节), is the most significant traditional holiday in Chinese culture. Marking the start of the lunar calendar, it’s a time for family reunions, cultural rituals, and vibrant festivities that span 15 days. Each day carries its unique traditions and customs, offering a glimpse into the rich Chinese culture. We are bringing you on a journey through the typical Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations leading up to the Chinese New Year and from New Year’s Day.

Chinese New Year’s Eve: Reunion Dinner

Chinese New Year’s Eve is perhaps the most cherished part of the festival. Families come together for the all-important reunion dinner, a feast that symbolises unity and abundance. Dishes served are rich in symbolism—fish represents surplus, dumplings symbolise wealth, and glutinous rice cakes signify higher achievements in the coming year.

Another cherished tradition is staying up late, Shou Sui, means “after the New Year’s Eve dinner.” Traditionally, family members would stay awake all night, but now some people just stay awake until after the fireworks. According to Chinese legends, there was a mythical beast named the Nian (Year). On New Year’s Eve night, the Year would come out to harm people, animals, and proprieties. Later, people found that the Year was afraid of the colour red, fire, and loud sounds. Therefore, on the New Year’s Eve night, people will launch fireworks, light fires, and stay awake all night to fend off the Year.

Day 1: Welcoming the New Year (初一)

The first day of the Chinese New Year is a grand affair. It begins with families honouring their ancestors through prayers and offerings. Red is the dominant colour, symbolising prosperity and warding off evil spirits. Firecrackers light up the morning sky, believed to chase away the mythical beast Nian (年), which folklore says fears loud noises and the colour red.

One of the key customs is visiting family and friends, but with a twist: married couples hand out red envelopes (红包) filled with money to children and unmarried friends, family members. These symbolise good luck and blessings for the year ahead. Meatless meals are often prepared to promote purity and peace.

Day 2: The Day of the Son-in-Law (初二)

Traditionally, this is the day for married daughters to visit their parents. Accompanied by their husbands and children, they bring gifts to express gratitude and respect. It’s a heartwarming reunion filled with laughter and feasting.

On this day, prayers are offered to the God of Wealth, seeking blessings for prosperity. Businesses often reopen on Day Two, with firecrackers set off to ensure a successful year.

Day 3: The Day of Arguments (初三)

Day Three is traditionally considered inauspicious for socialising or important decisions. It’s believed that arguments and disputes are more likely to occur, so many families stay home to avoid potential conflicts.

Despite its reputation, some regions use this day to honour ancestors. Offerings are made at temples or home altars, keeping the spiritual essence of the festival alive.

Day 4: Preparing for the Kitchen God (初四)

The fourth day marks the return of the Kitchen God from heaven, where he is believed to have reported on the household’s behaviour over the past year. Families prepare sumptuous meals and offerings to welcome him back, ensuring he brings good fortune in his blessings.

In some traditions, Day Four is also a time for company gatherings to kickstart business operations in the new year.

Day 5: The Day of Wealth (初五)

Known as the Birthday of the God of Wealth (财神生日), Day Five is highly auspicious for wealth-related activities. Businesses resume in full swing, and special rituals are performed to attract prosperity. Dumplings (饺子), shaped like ancient gold ingots, are often eaten as a symbolic gesture of welcoming wealth.

Firecrackers are a key highlight, believed to invite the God of Wealth and drive away misfortune. It’s a lively day filled with hopes for financial success in the year ahead.

Day 6: Sending Away the Ghost of Poverty (初六)

Day Six is dedicated to driving out bad luck and the “Ghost of Poverty.” Families clean their homes, sweep away debris, and discard old items. These actions symbolise a fresh start, making way for new opportunities and fortune.

In many regions, people also go on outings, visiting relatives or exploring markets. It’s a day of transition, moving from the intense familial focus of the earlier days to more relaxed activities.

Day 7: Renri (人日), the Day of Humankind

The seventh day of the Chinese New Year, Renri, is celebrated as the common birthday of all humans. According to Chinese mythology, Nüwa (女娲), the goddess who created mankind, completed this creation on the seventh day.

Special dishes like seven-vegetable soup or yusheng, a colourful raw fish salad popular in southern China and Southeast Asia, are prepared. These foods symbolise growth, health, and abundance.

Day 8: Praying to the Heavenly God (初八)

On the eighth day, families offer prayers to the Jade Emperor (玉帝), the ruler of heaven in Chinese mythology. Elaborate offerings and ceremonies are conducted, particularly in the southern provinces.

This day is also significant for workplaces, as employers host banquets for their employees, expressing gratitude and setting the tone for a productive year.

Day 9: The Jade Emperor’s Birthday (初九)

Day Nine is dedicated entirely to the Jade Emperor’s birthday. Taoist temples are bustling with worshippers offering incense, fruits, and elaborate feasts. For many, this day marks the peak of spiritual devotion during the festival.

Day 10: Honouring the Earth God (初十)

On the tenth day, the focus shifts to the Earth God. Families prepare offerings and host feasts to express gratitude for his blessings. The customs on this day vary by region, but they typically involve more relaxed and joyous gatherings.

As the festival nears its conclusion, the communal spirit of gratitude and celebration remains strong, paving the way for the Lantern Festival (元宵节) on Day Fifteen.

Day 15: Lantern Festival

The grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations is the Lantern Festival, celebrated on the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar and mark the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. All things are back to normal after that day. It is also the first full moon day after the grand event. On this day, people will go to enjoy different shapes of lanterns and guess lantern riddles.

Chinese New Year is more than just a holiday; it’s a cultural phenomenon that embodies the values of family, gratitude, and renewal. Each day’s customs carry deep meanings, reflecting centuries of tradition and belief. From the firecracker-lit dawn of Day One to the spiritual offerings of Day Ten, the festival is a vibrant celebration of life, heritage, and hope for the future. Whether you’re part of the festivities or observing from afar, Chinese New Year offers a captivating glimpse into one of the world’s richest cultural traditions.