New Year

All about Chinese New Year

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

Early the next morning, as feelings of Early the next morning, as feelings of triumph and renewal fill the air at triumph and renewal fill the air at successfully keeping Nain away for successfully keeping Nain away for another year, the most popular another year, the most popular greeting heard is greeting heard is gong si gong si or or “congratulations”. “congratulations”.

The lunar New Year Festival The lunar New Year Festival

involves legends and traditions. involves legends and traditions.

One of the famous legend is One of the famous legend is Nian, an extremely cruel and Nian, an extremely cruel and ferocious beast that the ferocious beast that the ancients believed would devour ancients believed would devour people on New Year’s Eve.people on New Year’s Eve.

The Origin Of Chinese The Origin Of Chinese New YearNew Year

Made by Ouyang XiaofangMade by Ouyang Xiaofang

Chinese coupletsChinese couplets

Made by Ouyang XiaofangMade by Ouyang Xiaofang

LanternsLanterns

Chinese red envelopes

Monetary gifts are usually presented in red envelopes during festive occasions, like weddings, birthdays, and the New Year. While their main task is to bear gifts, their second duty is to bring the recipient luck, joy, and prosperity

Big dinner on New Year’s Eve-- fish Fish are considered lucky creatures. This is because the word “fish” in Chinese also sounds like the word meaning “surplus” or “something left

over.” The owners believe it will help to

bring in a surplus of money. People hope these practices will bring

extra wealth in the coming year.

BelievesBelieves It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the It’s unlucky to sweep the floor during the

first five days of the Lunar New first five days of the Lunar New Year,because one might accidentally Year,because one might accidentally sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of sweep one’s good luck and wealth out of the house.the house.

Bad language and talk of death are Bad language and talk of death are severely forbidden. severely forbidden.

If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “suei If a dish is broken,it’s vital to say “suei suei ping an” ,means every year will be suei ping an” ,means every year will be safe and secure. safe and secure.

The Dragon And The Lion Dance

One of the most spectacular sights during the Lunar New Year Festival is the dragon and lion dance. The heads of these fearsome beasts are supposed to stop the evil.