Traditions and Customs Associated With Chinese New Year
Millions of people worldwide celebrate the Chinese New Year. The celebration happens over the course of two weeks. The Chinese New Year is also full of customs and traditions, among them are:
1. Children get to receive money in red envelopes. These envelopes are handed out by the adults. Also, employers give their employees these envelopes in order to bring good luck. And it isn't just any amount of money in the envelope; the amount needs to be in even numbers, ideally 8. The Chinese people believe that 8 brings good luck.
2. The Chinese regard tangerines as a lucky fruit, so you'll find these fruits serve in traditional Chinese New Year feasts. It's customary for children to offer two tangerines to their elders. This custom signifies that they're not just wishing their elders a happy new year, but a lucky one as well.
3. A dragon and lion dance is one of the highlights of any Chinese New Year parade, particularly in different Chinatowns all around the world. In Chinese Legends, the dragon in particular is said to be a symbol of power and good luck, and the dance is said to welcome good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
4. Red banners are hung up all over the homes. The banners have the word "Fu" printed or painted on them for luck. Some also have short couplets and poems printed. The poems convey gratitude for the previous year's blessings and hopeful wishes for the new year.
5. You'll also see lots of lanterns during the Chinese New Year, as the event also goes by the name Lantern Festival. Lanterns are lit up, welcoming the new year. Some people carry lit lanterns with them as they walk around, while others hang the lanterns outside their homes.
6. These lanterns may also have riddles on them. What they do is write riddles on pieces of paper and place them on the lantern. Anyone -- guests and passersby -- can try to guess the riddle. If they answer it correctly, they get a present from the person who hung the lantern.
7. The Chinese New Year is also a time when the ancestors are remembered. This is done by saying prayers in their honor. As the people say their prayers, they burn incense sticks. Their prayers include thanking the ancestors for the blessings received the previous year.
1. Children get to receive money in red envelopes. These envelopes are handed out by the adults. Also, employers give their employees these envelopes in order to bring good luck. And it isn't just any amount of money in the envelope; the amount needs to be in even numbers, ideally 8. The Chinese people believe that 8 brings good luck.
2. The Chinese regard tangerines as a lucky fruit, so you'll find these fruits serve in traditional Chinese New Year feasts. It's customary for children to offer two tangerines to their elders. This custom signifies that they're not just wishing their elders a happy new year, but a lucky one as well.
3. A dragon and lion dance is one of the highlights of any Chinese New Year parade, particularly in different Chinatowns all around the world. In Chinese Legends, the dragon in particular is said to be a symbol of power and good luck, and the dance is said to welcome good luck and prosperity for the coming year.
4. Red banners are hung up all over the homes. The banners have the word "Fu" printed or painted on them for luck. Some also have short couplets and poems printed. The poems convey gratitude for the previous year's blessings and hopeful wishes for the new year.
5. You'll also see lots of lanterns during the Chinese New Year, as the event also goes by the name Lantern Festival. Lanterns are lit up, welcoming the new year. Some people carry lit lanterns with them as they walk around, while others hang the lanterns outside their homes.
6. These lanterns may also have riddles on them. What they do is write riddles on pieces of paper and place them on the lantern. Anyone -- guests and passersby -- can try to guess the riddle. If they answer it correctly, they get a present from the person who hung the lantern.
7. The Chinese New Year is also a time when the ancestors are remembered. This is done by saying prayers in their honor. As the people say their prayers, they burn incense sticks. Their prayers include thanking the ancestors for the blessings received the previous year.
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The 2012 Chinese New Year commences in January this year. Delve into the mysteries of this amazing Celebration and the Year of The Dragon by visiting out website , visit our site Chinesenewyear2012.net