Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.
The Chinese New Year is a long celebration spanning for fifteen days commemorated on the citing of the second new moon. This is done immediately after solar winter solstice. The Chinese New Year is based purely on astronomers observations. Of all Chinese celebrations, the New Year holiday is rated as the most significant. It is also known as the lunar new year especially outside China. Holiday festivities start on the first day of the month and close on the fifteenth day of the same month. The final day of the festivities is known as the Lantern Festival. Due to the magnitude of the celebrations in China, the holiday has had an impact on the neighboring countries. This includes countries like Nepal, Malaysia, Korea and Thailand. Thus the Chinese New Year is officially recognized in most countries with a large number of ethnic Chinese. This is much so in countries neighboring mainland China and has led to the holiday being entrenched in their traditional culture. In the Gregorian calendar, the New Year falls between January 21st and February 20th.
The years are named according to Chinese astrology, the animal zodiac having a twelve year cycle and the heavenly stems having a ten year cycle. There are twelve animals marking each year namely rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog and pig. For instance, 2008 is the year of the rat and 2009 the year of the ox. There is a myth surrounding the origin of the Chinese New Year. According to Chinese mythical narrations, the New Year started with a conflict between a beast known as Nian (year) and the people. The beast was known to come during the first day of the lunar month and destroy crops, livestock and kill people especially the young. The people devised ways to protect themselves. They would prepare food and place it in front of their households. According to their beliefs, Nian would consume the food thus saving the people from attack. Another mythical tale tells of the beast escaping after seeing a small child clad in red. During this period the world observes the largest migration by human beings. People in China as well as overseas China go back to their homes for reunion parties with their families. This period is known in China as Chunyun.
The New Year holiday is marked by a tradition known as new-year visits. Family members, friends and relatives come together to celebrate the Chinese New Year. On the eve of New Year their homes are thoroughly cleaned. The cleaning is based on the belief that cleaning will get rid of bad luck and give way to good luck. Cleaning material such as dustbins and brooms are put away to avoid good luck being swept away. The color red has a major significance during this period. This is because of the little child wearing red clothes terrified the Nian beast away. Homes are painted in red. This includes walls, doors and window panes. Most of the decorations during this entire period are in red. The clothes worn during these holidays too are mostly red in color. The color red is believed to chase away bad luck and evil spirits. Elderly people also hand out red packets containing money to the young. The most important event of the New Years Eve is the family dinner. Fish is the favorite delicacy among all families during this day. In the southern parts of China they make a cake as a gift to friends and relatives. These gifts are forwarded on the New Years Day. The cake is called Niangao which means increased prosperity year in year out. Some families attend local temples after the dinner to pray for the New Year. Other families hold parties to usher in the New Year. (Flanagan 18)
Abstaining from meat during the first day of the year is believed to ensure longevity. This is especially so among the Buddhists. Some people also abstain from using knives and lighting fires. The first day is also marked by visiting the very old in the extended families. The second day is marked by burning of incest at the ancestors graves to signify offerings and prayers. Married daughters also visit their blood parents on the second day. The second day is also believed to be the birthday of all dogs. People are advised not to visit friends and relatives on the third and the fourth day of the festivities because it is believed it is easy to get into a conflict or an argument. Those with a family member deceased in the past 3 years visit their gravesites instead. The fifth day sees the re-opening of businesses and lighting of firecrackers. The seventh day is the common mans birthday. Every one adds a year to his/her age. Buddhists also abstain from meat on this day. Prayers are offered to the Jade Emperor on the ninth day. It is recognized as his birthday. The 15th day is called Yuanxlao-glutinous rice ball in soup is consumed on this day. People conduct a candle lighting ceremony outside their houses to guide spirits home. They also carry lighted lanterns through the streets hence the name Lantern Festival. This is the final day of the New Years festivities (Alice, 26).
Other spectacles include decorations using flowers such as peach blossom and kumquat to signify luck and prosperity respectively. People also hand out small gifts like candies, biscuits and fruits. These festivities are also marked by the use of fireworks and firecrackers. Happy new year and congratulations and be prosperous are the form of greetings during this period. They are usually accompanied by joy and enthusiasm.
Works Cited
-
Alice K. Flanagan; Chinese New Year: Compass Point Books. 2008 pp. 23-27
-
Janet S. Wong: This Next New Year. Frances foster books. pp. 10-18
-
Lola Schaeffer: Chinese New Year. Pebble Books. 2001 pp. 2-11
-
Marcia K. Vaughan: The Dancing Dragon. Mondo Publishing. 1996.
-
Sarah Moyse: Chinese New Year. Millbrook Press. 1998.
Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?
We have qualified writers to help you.
We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.
You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)
NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.
NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.