Rituals of Chinese New Year

Year of the Rabbit 2011!

Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it also known at Spring festival which represents the end of the winter season. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. It is an all East and South-East Asia celebration which begins first day of the month in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival on the 15th day.

The Chinese New Year has its own symbolisms, traditions, rituals and superstitions as with other holidays like the Calendar New Year, Valentine's Day, Easter or Christmas. There is symbolism for ushering out the old and bringing in the new. Some of these symbolisms may be done from cultural aspect, for Feng Shui reasons, or just to represent change.

Many Chinese have become modernized and may not believe in all the do's and don'ts, however many of these traditions and customs are still performed out of respect to the elders and also provide continuity with the past.

There are numerous rituals before and during the Eve of Chinese New Year. First, is the house cleaning. The sweeping of grounds begin 10 days before the new year day and everyone corner of one's home must be swept and cleaned in preparation for the new year. Doors and window panes usually receive a fresh coat of red paint or decorated during this time. The entire house must be cleaned and cleaning equipment must be put away no later than New Year's Eve. Cleans sheets or preferably new sheets should be on beds, clean towels in bathrooms and kitchen. A big taboo or creating bad Feng Shui  would be to sweep or dust on New Year's day because this would symbolize that you are sweeping away the good fortune of the entire household. On the eve of new year, family members and relatives gather round at the house of the elders to have the annual family reunion. Families end the night with fireworks at midnight.

On the first morning of New Year, children will greet their parents a healthy and happy new year and receive money in red paper envelopes. Fire crackers are ignited to let out deafening explosions and to welcome the deities of heavens and earth. It also believed to scare away evil spirits. Washing one's hair on the first day of New Year is also believed to wash away good luck of new year. Besides that, one should also not wear black or white clothing because they are traditionally colors for mourning. This should be a day to wear the color red to add an extra boost of energy. Wearing new clothes represents the newness that you want to bring into your life. Also, it is also considered unlucky to greet anyone in their bedroom. Even the sick get dressed and sit in the living room.

The person you meet and the first words heard are significantly important as to what the fortune will be for the entire year. Participants in these New Year rituals believe that everyone should refrain from using foul language, bad or unlucky words and also no quarreling during this time period. Death and ghosts stories are a big taboo as well.

There are plenty of rituals, taboos and traditions that are performed over the next 14 days of this celebration. I grew up living and learning the importance of Chinese New Year and I am definitely proud to always have this family background.

New Year's Eve in Hong Kong