Ring in the Year of the Rooster: A Guide to Celebrating Chinese New Year 2017
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is a traditional Chinese holiday celebrated at the turn of the lunar calendar. This year, the celebration falls on January 28th and marks the start of the Year of the Rooster.
Are you ready to ring in the Chinese New Year in style? Here are some tips on how to celebrate and join in the festivities:
1. Decorate Your Home
Every Chinese New Year celebration is never complete without red decorations, as it symbolizes good fortune and wards off evil spirits. You can decorate your home with red lanterns, couplets, banners, and paper cutouts. It's also common to use flowers such as plum blossoms, orchids, and peonies.
2. Wear New Clothes
In Chinese culture, wearing new clothes symbolizes starting fresh and renewed hope for the coming year. Many people choose to wear red clothing during the festive season, but be sure to choose something comfortable as you may be sitting and eating for long periods of time.
3. Prepare a Reunion Dinner
The reunion dinner, held on New Year's Eve, is an important part of the Chinese New Year celebrations. It's a time for family members to come together and enjoy a feast of traditional Chinese dishes, such as dumplings, spring rolls, fish, and rice cakes.
4. Give Red Envelopes
It's customary to give red envelopes containing money to children and unmarried adults during Chinese New Year. The amount of money is usually even-numbered, as odd numbers are associated with funerals.
5. Watch the Lunar New Year Parade
The largest Lunar New Year parade in North America is held in San Francisco, California, and features elaborate floats, lion dancers, dragon dancers, and other performers. Other cities around the world also host their own parades, so be sure to check out if there's one near you.
6. Attend a Temple Fair
During the Chinese New Year period, many temples hold fairs where visitors can take part in traditional activities, such as lighting incense, getting their fortune told, and tasting local snacks. In Beijing, the Temple of Heaven fair is one of the most popular.
7. Learn About Traditional Customs
There are numerous traditions and customs associated with Chinese New Year, such as cleaning your home, giving gifts, and avoiding sweeping the floor. Take some time to learn about the significance behind these practices and why they are so important in Chinese culture.
8. Make Dumplings
Dumplings are a staple food during the Chinese New Year, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. Gather your family or friends and have a dumpling-making party – it's a fun and delicious way to celebrate!
9. Display Chinese Artworks
If you're interested in Chinese art, Chinese New Year is a great opportunity to showcase your collection or add new pieces to your home. Traditional Chinese paintings, calligraphy, and pottery are all fantastic options.
10. Enjoy Fireworks
No Chinese New Year celebration is complete without fireworks. In China, setting off fireworks is an essential part of the festivities, as it's believed to scare away bad luck and bring in good fortune for the coming year. Just be sure to take safety precautions and check with your local authorities for regulations on fireworks.
Celebrating Chinese New Year is an exciting and vibrant way to start off the year. Whether you're attending a parade, making dumplings, or simply spending time with loved ones, there's no shortage of ways to get involved. Let's welcome the Year of the Rooster with open arms!
"How To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017" ~ bbaz
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, is the most important traditional holiday in China. It is celebrated by millions of people around the world and is a time for families to come together, eat delicious food, and enjoy various activities and customs. Chinese New Year 2017 begins on January 28th and continues for 15 days until February 11th. Here are some ways to celebrate this special occasion:
Clean Your Home
One of the most important traditions associated with Chinese New Year is cleaning your home. This represents sweeping away bad luck and making way for good luck to enter. Make sure to sweep all the corners of your house and throw out any clutter or trash. You can also purchase some decorations or flowers to spruce up your home. Red is the most popular color during Chinese New Year as it represents happiness and good fortune.
Prepare Delicious Food
Food plays a vital role in Chinese New Year celebrations. Traditional dishes include dumplings, fish, and rice cakes. Dumplings represent wealth, while fish signifies abundance. You can also make some sweet treats such as tangerines or oranges, which symbolize good luck. Treat your family and friends to a delicious feast and share the joy of the new year.
Watch the Dragon Dance
The dragon dance is a major part of Chinese New Year celebrations. It involves a team of dancers holding a long colorful dragon that dances to music. The dragon is a symbol of strength and good fortune. You can watch a dragon dance performance in your community or even participate in one if you have a local group.
Give Red Envelopes
Red envelopes, also known as hongbao, are traditional gifts given during Chinese New Year. They contain money and are given to children as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. You can also give red envelopes to friends and family members as a way to show your appreciation for their support and love.
Visit a Temple
Chinese New Year is a time for spiritual reflection and renewal. Visiting a temple can help bring you closer to your faith and allow you to meditate on your goals for the new year. Many temples offer special services or events during Chinese New Year, so check your local listings to see what is available.
Make Lanterns
Lanterns are a common decoration during Chinese New Year. You can make your own lanterns with paper, scissors, and glue. Draw or write auspicious characters on the lanterns such as good fortune, longevity, or happiness. Hang them up around your home for a festive touch.
Attend a Parade
Many cities around the world hold parades to celebrate Chinese New Year. These parades often feature lion dances, dragon dances, and floats adorned with colorful decorations. They are a fun way to experience the culture and traditions of Chinese New Year.
Watch Fireworks
Fireworks are a popular activity during Chinese New Year. They are believed to scare away evil spirits and usher in good luck. If you cannot set off fireworks yourself, you can watch a professional display in your community. It is sure to be a dazzling spectacle that you won't forget.
Try Calligraphy
Calligraphy is an important art form in China that involves writing characters with a brush and ink. During Chinese New Year, it is common to see calligraphy displays featuring auspicious sayings and phrases. You can try your hand at calligraphy by attending a workshop or purchasing a calligraphy set.
Join Family and Friends
Ultimately, Chinese New Year is about spending time with loved ones. Whether you attend a big family gathering or have a small dinner with friends, it is important to appreciate the people in your life. Share stories, eat delicious food, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Chinese New Year is a rich and diverse celebration that offers something for everyone. Whether you follow all the traditions or simply enjoy the festivities, embrace the opportunity to welcome in the new year with joy and happiness. Gong Xi Fa Cai (Happy New Year)!
Chinese New Year 2017: How to Celebrate
Introduction
With the Chinese New Year coming up, it’s time to start planning how you’re going to ring in the year of the Rooster! Also known as Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year is filled with rich traditions and celebrations. Here are some tips on how to celebrate the Chinese New Year in 2017.Food
Food plays a huge part in the Chinese New Year celebrations. Dumplings, fish, rice cakes, and spring rolls are just a few of the popular dishes to enjoy during this time. Many families will also have a reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, where they’ll cook and share a large feast together. It’s important to note that certain foods have symbolic meanings. For example, dumplings resemble money and wealth, while long noodles represent long life.Comparison Table: Traditional Chinese New Year Foods
| Food | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Dumplings | Wealth and prosperity |
| Fish | Abundance and surplus |
| Nian Gao (Rice Cake) | Rising progress each year |
| Spring Rolls | Good fortune and wealth |
| Tangerines | Luck and wealth |
| Long Noodles | Longevity and good luck |
Decorations
Red is the dominant color of the Chinese New Year. You can decorate your home with red lanterns, banners, and paper cutouts. The Chinese character for “luck” can also be hung upside down to symbolize the arrival of good fortune. It’s also common to place a new year scroll with auspicious couplets on the front door to welcome guests.Comparison Table: Chinese New Year Decorations
| Decoration | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red Lanterns | Good luck and prosperity |
| Red Banners | Well wishes for the new year |
| Scroll with Auspicious Couplets | Blessings and luck |
| Firecrackers | To scare away evil spirits |
| Chinese Knots | Peace, happiness and success |
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is known as “Chuxi”. It’s a time when families come together for a large dinner and to watch the Spring Festival Gala on television. At midnight, firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits and welcome in the new year. It’s also common to stay up all night as a sign of respect to one’s ancestors.Red Envelopes
Giving red envelopes filled with money to children is a popular tradition during the Chinese New Year. It’s a way to bless them with good luck and fortune for the coming year.The Lantern Festival
The 15th day of the new year is the Lantern Festival. People light and release sky lanterns into the sky, solve riddles on lanterns and eat tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls). It's a beautiful night-time spectacle to mark the end of the 15-day Spring Festival.Opinions
Overall, the Chinese New Year is a time for joy and celebration, filled with rich traditions that have been passed down for centuries. It’s a great opportunity to gather with your loved ones, enjoy delicious food, and appreciate the beauty of this special holiday.How to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017
Introduction
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional Chinese festivals celebrated across the world. It is a time of family reunion, feasts, traditions and good fortune. This year Chinese New Year will be celebrated on Saturday, January 28, 2017. The festival lasts for 15 days, with each day having its significant celebrations.Preparations
Preparations for Chinese New Year start days before the actual event. Houses are thoroughly cleaned to get rid of bad luck and make room for good luck. Red decorations such as lanterns, couplets, and banners are put up in and outside homes for wealth and good fortune. Red is considered the color of good luck, and therefore, you will see many people wearing red clothes, exchanging red envelopes with money and decorating their houses with various red materials.Reunion Dinners
On New Year's eve, families come together for a reunion dinner. This meal is considered one of the most important meals of the year, where families share and bond over delicious Chinese delicacies, including dumplings, fish, and noodles. A customary dish served during the reunion dinner is a whole fish representing wealth for the new year.Decorations and Symbols
As mentioned, red is the dominant color for Chinese New Year decorations. In addition to that, symbols such as dragon and phoenix are used as they represent power and prosperity in Chinese culture. Indulging in citrus fruits or decorating your house in oranges can also bring good fortune as orange sounds similar to the word ‘wealth’ in the Cantonese language.Lunar New Year Parades
Lunar New Year parades are popular in many cities around the world with large Chinese populations. Such parades feature traditional Chinese performances such as the lion dance, dragon dance, and martial arts demonstrations. They are colorful and lively events that the entire family can enjoy.Fireworks
Fireworks are a significant part of Chinese New Year celebrations. It is believed that fireworks help to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune to people. You can join others in your community to watch these spectacular displays of light and sound.New Year’s Day
On New Year’s day itself, it’s a custom to visit relatives and friends, exchange greetings and well wishes. Children receive red envelopes of money from elders as a way of wishing them good luck in their future endeavors.Other customs and activities
During the 15-day long Spring Festival, there are various customs and activities that are practiced. For example, on the fifth day of the festival, it’s believed that particular traditions can bring wealth to a person. Some of these customs involve burning incense, light offerings, and praying for good luck.Good Luck Foods
Certain foods have a symbolic meaning during Chinese New Year. Dumplings symbolizes wealth or treasure. Glutinous rice cake represents a higher income, status, and career. Tang yuan represents family bonds and reunion. Eating these traditional foods can ensure good luck and prosperity in the forthcoming year.Closing Thoughts
Chinese New Year is an exciting time of year, full of tradition and rich culture. It’s beautiful to see a cohesive society come together to celebrate this important holiday. Regardless of your background or where you live, you can still participate in the festivities surrounding the Spring Festival. Learn about the traditions and try some of the foods that we have highlighted.Happy Chinese New year to everyone - 新年快乐!
How to Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017
The Chinese New Year is a festival celebrated by over 1.3 billion people across the world. It is an important event that marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is also referred to as the Spring Festival. Each year is associated with one of the twelve zodiac animals, and this year, it's the year of the rooster.
If you find yourself in China during this festive period, here are some of the ways you can celebrate Chinese New Year:
1. Watch the Fireworks Display
When the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, firecrackers and fireworks light up the sky, accompanied by the sound of gongs and bells from temples and households. Watching the fireworks display is a spectacular sight, but be prepared for the noise and crowds.
2. Attend the Lantern Festival
The Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the fifteen-day celebrations, is an occasion for colorful lanterns, dragon and lion dancers, and parades. The festival usually falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
3. Visit Temple Fairs
Temple fairs are a traditional part of Chinese New Year celebrations. They offer an opportunity to experience the local folk customs and appreciate the cultural heritage. You'll find stalls selling handicrafts, food, and souvenirs, along with various forms of entertainment.
4. Eat Jiaozi
Jiaozi or dumplings are a must-have meal during Chinese New Year. Their unique shape, similar to ancient Chinese gold ingots, symbolizes wealth and good fortune. Making and eating jiaozi with family members is also a way to bond and reconnect with loved ones.
5. Give Red Envelopes
Red envelopes or hongbao are a traditional gift during Chinese New Year. They contain money and are usually given to children by parents or grandparents, symbolizing good luck and wealth. If you're visiting someone's home during Chinese New Year, it's appropriate to give them a red envelope as a gesture of goodwill.
6. Wear Red Clothing
Red is an auspicious color, associated with good fortune, joy, and prosperity. Wearing red clothing during Chinese New Year is believed to bring good luck and fend off evil spirits. Many people also decorate their homes with red banners and posters depicting auspicious symbols.
7. Clean the House
Cleaning the house before Chinese New Year is a way to get rid of the old and welcome the new. It's believed that sweeping the floor after the New Year's Day will sweep away good fortune and luck. So make sure to do your cleaning before the big day.
8. Watch the CCTV Spring Festival Gala
For many Chinese families, watching the CCTV Spring Festival Gala on New Year's Eve is a cherished tradition. The show features music, dance, comedy, acrobatics, and other performances by famous celebrities. It's broadcasted around the world and viewed by millions of viewers each year.
9. Play Traditional Games
Playing traditional games is a fun activity during Chinese New Year. Games such as mahjong, Chinese chess, and playing cards can be enjoyed with family members and friends. It's also an excellent opportunity to learn and appreciate the cultural significance of these games.
10. Exchange Good Wishes
During Chinese New Year, it's customary to exchange greetings and good wishes with family members, friends, and strangers. Common phrases include gong hei fat choy (May you have a prosperous New Year) and xin nian kuai le (Happy New Year). It's also polite to give well-wishes to elders and bosses.
In conclusion, celebrating Chinese New Year is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Chinese culture and tradition. Whether you're in China or another part of the world, these ten ways will ensure you have a memorable and auspicious Chinese New Year.
We at [Blog Name] hope you enjoyed reading this article. Let us know in the comments which way you plan to celebrate Chinese New Year.
Happy New Year!
People Also Ask About How To Celebrate Chinese New Year 2017
What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is the most important traditional festival in China, also known as the Spring Festival. It falls on a different date each year, between January 21 and February 20, depending on the lunar calendar.
How do people celebrate Chinese New Year?
There are many ways to celebrate Chinese New Year, but some of the most common traditions include:
- Cleaning your house before the New Year to sweep away bad luck
- Putting up decorations like red lanterns and spring couplets to bring good fortune
- Eating traditional foods like dumplings and fish for prosperity
- Giving red envelopes filled with money to children for good luck
- Watching dragon and lion dances to scare away evil spirits
What should I wear for Chinese New Year?
Red is the traditional color of Chinese New Year, symbolizing good luck and warding off evil spirits. You could wear red clothing or accessories, or anything with a festive and vibrant feel.
What are some traditional Chinese New Year foods?
Some popular Chinese New Year dishes include:
- Dumplings (jiaozi) - shaped like gold or silver ingots, representing wealth and prosperity
- Fish - represents abundance and surplus
- Nian gao - a sweet glutinous rice cake symbolizing progress and growth
- Spring rolls - signify wealth and prosperity because their shape resembles gold bars
- Tang yuan - sweet glutinous rice balls with fillings like sesame, peanut, or sweet bean paste, which represent family togetherness.
What is the significance of the dragon and lion dances?
The dragon and lion dances are performed during Chinese New Year to scare away evil spirits and bring good luck. The dragon dance involves a long, colorful dragon made of paper and fabric, with many people holding it up and dancing to the rhythm of drums and firecrackers. The lion dance features performers dressed in lion costumes, who mimic the movements of a lion to the beat of the drums and cymbals.
What are some traditional Chinese New Year greetings?
Some common phrases used to wish someone a Happy New Year in Chinese include:
- Gong Xi Fa Cai (恭喜发财) - Wishing you prosperity
- Xin Nian Kuai Le (新年快乐) - Happy New Year
- Wan Shi Ru Yi (万事如意) - May everything go smoothly
- Shen Ti Jian Kang (身体健康) - Wishing you good health