The Chinese New Year festival begins this Sunday. It’s the longest and most important of all traditional Chinese celebrations, the origins of which go back centuries, into the realm ancient myth.
During the festival, families decorate their houses with red coloured paper and banners with messages of happiness, wealth and longevity. People dress in red which is considered to bring the wearer a bright and sunny future, and fire is believed to drive away bad luck.
It’s traditional to clean the family home thoroughly, so as to clear out bad fortune and make room for good luck. All cleaning tools must be put away before new year’s eve though, and no more cleaning can continue, in case good fortune is swept away.
On new year’s eve, families gather and feast on extravagant meals together, setting off fire crackers to send out the old and ring in the new. On new year’s morning, children are given money in red envelopes, to bring them good fortune.
The Chinese believe your status on new year’s day will set the precedent for the new year. So all debt should be paid off by this time, loans should be avoided, and people resist punishing their children to avoid them crying for the rest of the year.
Some abstain from using bad language or negative words, and refrain from talking about the year just passed. People aim to be happy and maintain a cheery attitude, in the hope that the feelings will stick for the next twelve months. New Year celebrations provide the perfect opportunity to lift grudges and sincerely wish for peace and happiness for everyone.
The festival ends after 15 days with the Lantern Festival, where people hang lanterns round the home and local temples. The highlight is the dragon dance, a favourite of children and adults alike.
Many Australian cities celebrate Chinese New Year and the dragon dances, firecrackers and lanterns draw huge crowds annually. Find your city’s celebration this year and join in with a spirited ‘Kung hei fat choi!’
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