5 FUN FACTS

You’ve probably heard it referred to as Chinese New Year but many countries celebrate the Lunar New Year—China, Vietnam, Laos, Singapore, and more. It refers back to a lunar calendar that’s been in use as long ago as the 14th century.

For 2018, Lunar New Year begins February 16th and for the Chinese calendar zodiac, it’s also the year of the Dog. Give your dog a kiss. It’s their year!

It’s taboo to wash your clothes. If you do it, you’re washing away your luck.

The festivities for the Chinese New Year lasts about 15 days. In China, it’s a public holiday for 3 days but often many businesses are closed for a week. It’s considered lucky to return to work on the New Year Day 8.

The holiday is also called the Spring Festival. The New Year marks the end of the coldest time of the year and celebrates coming warmer Spring weather. No more icicle lashes! Maybe.

5 traditions It’s time to show off your new goods from the December holidays. It’s a tradition to wear new clothes. Keep the dusting before or after the New Year. If you do it during, you’re sweeping away your wealth and we all could use a little more money. Right? On New Year’s Eve, family members have a “reunion dinner” that you’re not supposed to miss. Often people travel long distances to attend. It’s worth it, though, since it’s a day to feast on almost a banquet scale to symbolize bounty and wealth. In other countries outside of China, it’s more difficult to achieve this but many families still try to maintain this tradition. Children receive money in red envelopes for good luck. If your seniors like to spoil you, you get this until you are married but generally, this stops when you are an “adult.” On New Year’s Day, firecrackers are set off to ward off evil spirits and monsters. Maybe it works on the boogie monster too? span>

5 FOOD

 During the Chinese New Year, Chinese often eat or avoid things based on what they sound like or what they symbolize.

Yu (Fish): Yu for fish sounds like the Yu in the saying “Nian Nian You Yu” which means ‘May you have surpluses and bountiful harvests every year.’

Dumpling: Want to be wealthier? Eat a lot of dumplings. The shape of the Chinese dumpling looks like the Chinese tael (a form of currency).

Tangerines & Oranges: It’s a good idea to eat or even just display these tasty fruits because they sound like the words for ‘luck’ and ‘success’ respectively.

 Nian Gao (New Year Cake): Eaten because it sounds like ‘increasingly prosperous year after year’.

Yuan Xiao / Tang Yuan (Round Rice Dumpling): These are small round balls of glutinous rice often stuffed with bean paste, sesame, or fruits and nuts. The round shape symbolizes being together with family.

Dumpling: Want to be wealthier? Eat a lot of dumplings. The shape of the Chinese dumpling looks like the Chinese tael (a form of currency).

Tangerines & Oranges: It’s a good idea to eat or even just display these tasty fruits because they sound like the words for ‘luck’ and ‘success’ respectively.

 Nian Gao (New Year Cake): Eaten because it sounds like ‘increasingly prosperous year after year’.

Yuan Xiao / Tang Yuan (Round Rice Dumpling): These are small round balls of glutinous rice often stuffed with bean paste, sesame, or fruits and nuts. The round shape symbolizes being together with family.