Chinese New Year

Interesting facts

This new year celebration is also called Lunar New Year and celebrated also as
Spring Festival. It is celebrated in January or February in many countries around the
world, especially in countries with larger Asian communities.

Chinese New Year is an important public holiday for many countries including China,
South Korea, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In many other countries,
Chinese communities celebrate in the city's 'Chinatown' districts.

What is Chinese New Year?

This important date on the Chinese calendar has been celebrated for many
centuries. During the festivities ancestors are honoured and traditional ceremonies
are held where people get together and welcome the new year with customs that
shall bring good luck, good fortune, wealth, prosperity and happiness.

Chinese New Year Food

People eat ‘auspicious food’ during the new year period. For many, this means fish
dishes. A fish is a symbol of good luck, wealth and healthy life.

Dumplings are traditionally eaten during the festivities. These little round rice flour
balls are often filled with vegetables. Mandarin oranges, dried fruit and even sweets
are seen as lucky food. Candy boxes and little round shaped biscuits symbolising
gold or fortune are served everywhere.

A popular food are long noodles that symbolise good fortune as well as a long life.

Chinese New Year Traditions

Dragon dances and lion dance festivals will usher in the new year in many cities.
Some families may even invite a dance troupe into their homes as well.

Firecrackers are lit as these shall bring good luck and fortune.
Families visit each other and hand over little gifts. And sometimes even the family
dog gets a gift too!

Gifts are handed money or little tokens in 'red packets' or little red envelopes as
these symbolise prosperity and happiness. Married family members hand red
envelopes with money to others to show their goodwill and give blessings for the
new year to the other family members.