Let's explore the "Spring Festival Customs" (Chūn Jié Sú Jì), one of the most significant traditional festivals in China, marking the beginning of the lunar new year and embodying profound cultural significance and the joy of family reunions.
-
Posting Spring Festival Couplets and Window Decorations: During the festival, households adorn their doorways with couplets, expressing wishes for a fresh start and good fortune. Window decorations, known as paper cuttings, adorn windows with intricate designs symbolizing happiness and prosperity.
-
Family Reunion Dinner: On New Year's Eve, families gather for a lavish feast, the most important meal of the season. Regardless of distance, family members endeavor to return home to share this dinner together, with each dish carrying symbolic meanings; for instance, fish signifies abundance (year after year surplus), and dumplings resemble ancient gold and silver ingots, representing wealth.
-
Staying Up Late on New Year's Eve (Shousui): The tradition of staying awake throughout the night on New Year's Eve symbolizes longevity and expresses anticipation for a promising new year ahead.
-
Setting Off Firecrackers and Fireworks: Traditionally, the sound of firecrackers was believed to dispel evil spirits and misfortune, ushering in peace and good luck for the coming year. While many cities now restrict this practice due to safety and environmental concerns, fireworks and firecrackers remain an integral part of New Year celebrations in numerous regions.
-
New Year Visits and Giving Red Envelopes: On the first day of the New Year, people dressed in new clothes visit friends and relatives to exchange greetings, a practice known as "New Year Visits." Elders give red envelopes filled with money (Ya Sui Qian) to younger generations, passing on blessings and good fortune, protecting them from any evils in the upcoming year.
-
Dragon and Lion Dances: Throughout the festive period, dragon and lion dances are performed in many places, symbolizing strength, courage, and good luck, spreading joy and harmony within communities.
The Spring Festival is more than a celebration; it represents family, heritage, and hope in Chinese culture, uniting Chinese people worldwide in shared festivities each year.