China is an extremely large country, and the customs
and traditions of its people vary by geography and ethnicity. More than 1
billion people live in China, according to the Asia Society, representing 56
ethnic minority groups. The largest group is the Han Chinese, with about 900
million people. Other groups include the Tibetans, the Mongols, the Manchus,
the Naxi, and the Hezhen, which is smallest group, with fewer than 2,000
people.
Chinese New Year
Of all the Chinese
festivals, Chinese New Year is for kids of all ages the most loved and
anticipated. In China, planes, trains, buses, boats, donkeys, and any means of
transportation you can imagine, are jammed packed with people returning home to
enjoy the celebrations with their friends and family. And all over the world,
wherever there is a Chinatown, the festivities are a colorful display of dragon
dances, lantern festivals, feasts, and of course firecrackers!
The History of Chinese New Year
This traditional fest
has been celebrated for more than four thousand years. It came about from
ancient celebrations to mark the end of the long winter season and the
beginning of spring. It celebrates the earth coming back to life and the
beginning of the growing cycle. This is why it is also called the Spring
Festival. For Chinese people all over, the Lunar New Year is the celebration of
the year, a time for happy reunions, family and friends, rich in colorful
traditions and customs.
When is Chinese New Year?
In western countries,
New Year's Day always falls on January 1st. In China, New Year's Day is also
the first day of the first month of the Lunar Calendar! Therefore, Chinese New
Year dates vary each year and could fall at the end of January or in February. The
New Year celebrations begin on New Year's Eve, the big party is on New Year's
Day, and the action continues for the next 15 days. It all ends with the first
full moon of the year, fifteen days later with the Lantern Festival, another
great carnival and the perfect ending to this great holiday season. As per
long-standing Chinese customs, each year is assigned an animal according to the
Chinese Zodiac.
Chinese New Year Decorations
Dazzling and glittering
Chinese New Year Decorations never fail to capture the magic and energy of this
fabulous season. Just like in the West at Christmas time, as Chinese New Year
approaches, homes, businesses, shopping centres, offices, shops, airports,
train stations... are dressed in their holiday best. A sea of red and gold,
bright lanterns and auspicious plants and flowers are the hallmarks of the
season, heralding the arrival of the largest and most important festival of the
year.
Bright Red Lanterns
Bright red lanterns are
perhaps the most popular way to add that spark to the celebrations. You see
them popping up everywhere around town, the temples, the stores, homes,
parks... Chinese lanterns come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours,
although for Chinese New Year, the traditional red and gold balloon lantern is
one of the most popular ones. The red Chinese Lantern has become a symbol of
Chinese Culture. To Chinese, it represents vitality and prosperity, you see
them hanging year-round in Chinatowns around the world.