Chinese New Year

Hsin She Elementary School

2012.1

Chinese New Year

When is Chinese New Year Day?It begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is the most important holiday for the Chinese people.

What’s the importance of Chinese New Year? It’s a time of reunion and thanksgiving

for Chinese people. Every family member gets together to

have the New Year's Eve dinner.

Chinese New Year Worldwide! Chinese New Year in areas with

significant Chinese populations: such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere

Hong Kong fireworks show at Victoria Harbor to celebrate Chinese New Year

The Origin of Chinese New Year

There are many legends and traditions about the origin of Chinese New Year

The most famous legend is about: Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour people on New Year’s Eve

the Beast Nian in Chinese mythology

The Origin of Chinese New Year

To keep Nian away, red couplets are pasted on doors, torches are lit and firecrackers are set off through the night, because Nian is said to fear the color red, the light of fire, and loud noises.

The Origin of Chinese New Year

Early the next morning, feelings of triumph fill the air because villagers have successfully kept Nian away for another year.

What do we usually see during the Chinese New Year?

＊ Red Envelopes

＊ Spring Couplets

＊ Dragon & Lion Dance

＊ Scenes on Chinese New Year Day

Chinese Red Envelopes Red envelopes are presented at social

and family gatherings such as on holidays like the Chinese New Year’s Eve

The red color of the envelope is a symbol of good luck and is supposed to keep evil spirits away

Chinese red envelopes

Spring Couplets

Spring couplets are paper scrolls and squares with blessings and auspicious words such as “good fortune” and “prosperity’’.

These words represent people’s desire for the arrival of Spring and the coming of prosperous times.

paper scrolls

paper square

The Dragon and The Lion Dance

One of the activities during the Chinese New Year Festival is the dragon and lion dance.

The gracious movements of the dancers provide an enjoyable scene for the audience.

the Dragon Dance

the Lion Dance

On The First Day of The Chinese New Year

Everyone wears new clothes and visit friends, neighbors, and relatives to exchange good wishes.

There is a ritual that shows people’s respect to the gods and their ancestors.

A large numbers of people crowd into temples to pray for good luck.

a ritual on the first day of the Chinese New Year

believers in Chinese temple

Taboos and Superstitions

Housecleaning: The entire house should be cleaned before New Year's Day. One should avoid sweeping the floor during the Chinese New Year because good luck and wealth may be swept out of the family.

Taboos and Superstitions All debts have to be paid by Chinese

New Year’s Day. Everyone should avoid using bad

language or unlucky words. People should not use knives or scissors

on New Year's Day. Do not use bad

language.

Chinese New Year Decorations Plants and Flowers: The plants and

flowers symbolize rebirth and new growth.

Oranges: Oranges are symbols for abundant happiness.

Candy: Candy means to start the New Year sweetly.

Chinese New Year Decorations

1.Spring Couplet 2.Door God 3.New Year Picture 4.Paper-cuts (pictures 1~4 from left to right)

Entertainment

Fireworks Firecrackers

Traditional New Year Foods

Rice Cake is popular, children may rub honey on it.

The family prepares fish on Chinese New Year’s Eve.

Traditional New Year Foods

The family may prepare Chinese dumplings. It is common to hide a coin in one of the dumplings. Whoever gets the dumpling with the coin will supposedly have good luck in the coming year.

Combine ground meat, vegetables, and flavorings.

Then roll out the dough into small, thin circles

The Dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve

The biggest event on Chinese New Year’s Eve is the dinner every family will have.

A dish consisting of fish will appear on the tables of Chinese families.

This meal is comparable to Christmas dinner in the West.

Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival is to be held on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year.

The kids carry lanterns to celebrate.

The Year of the Dragon

Come and experience the fever of our Chinese New Year!

We wish You a Happy Chinese New Year!