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The first day of the lunar year is celebrated as the Chinese New Year and the full moon, which occurs 15 days after, marks the end of this New Year. The 15th comes to be celebrated as the lantern festival. The Chinese calendar has been based on a blending of lunar and solar movements.The duration of the lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. So, in order to match up with the solar calendar, the Chinese people thought of inserting an extra month once in every few years. This explains the difference in the dates between the international New Year and the Chinese New Year.We bring to you different information regarding the celebrations, decorations, superstitions and the food prepared on the Chinese New Year.
Celebrations Of The New Year
The Chinese New Year day marks the welcoming of the Gods of the heavens and earth. On the first day of the lunar year, people consider it taboo to eat meat as it is a belief that keeping away from meat on this day will ensure long and happy lives for them. The second day is preserved for the praying to the ancestors as well as to the God.
The dogs are given extra care as the second day is regarded to be the birthday of all the dogs. On the third day the son-in-laws pay respect to their father-in-laws. The fifth day has been named "Po Woo". On this particular day people prefer to stay at homes in order to welcome the God of Wealth. The sixth day is meant to be a day for visiting friends and family. The seventh day is meant for farmers who display their produce on this day. A drink of seven vegetables is made on this day. The seventh day is also considered to be the birth of humans. The eight-day is preserved for another family reunion and at midnight people pray to Tian Gong, the god of heaven. On the ninth day, offerings are made to the Jade Emperor. From 10th to 12th day, it is a time to invite friends and family for dinner. The 13th day is meant for simple rice congee and mustard greens. The 14th day is reserved for the preparations of the Lantern festival.
New Year Food
The Chinese New Year celebrations bring along a lot of good food with it. On the New Year day people prefer to have a vegetarian dish called jai. The ingredients of the dish called jai have various superstitions associated with them. The major ingredient of jai is Lotus seed, which signifies having many male offspring. The other ingredient is Ginkgo nut, which signify silver ingots. Black moss seaweed indicates exceeding in wealth. Dried bean curd is a representative of fulfillment of wealth and happiness. Bamboo shoots stand for a wish that everything would be well. Another important foods included are a whole fish, which signify togetherness and profusion. Chicken stands for completeness. The noodles to be eaten on the New Year eve should be uncut, as they represent long life.
Superstitions Regarding Chinese New Year
Like any other festival, the Chinese New Year also has some superstitions attached with it. It is said that before New Year's Day, the entire house should be cleaned. On the particular day, all the brooms, dusters and other cleaning material should be kept away as dusting and sweeping are considered to be taboo on the New Year day. By this day all the debts should be cleared. And even lending is also not allowed on this day. It is also said that one should not talk about ghost, pain or anything negative on this day. Another famous superstition associated with the Chinese New Year is that you should not wash your hair on this particular day, because if you do so, then you will wash away all the good luck for the New Year. One should not use knives and scissors on this day as this may be led to the cut off of fortune.
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