Traditions of celebrating the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year Traditions When is the new year

Most countries of the world managed to celebrate the New Year on the night of December 31 to January 1. However, in China, the holiday is usually celebrated twice: according to the Gregorian and according to the Eastern calendar.

In Russia, as in many other countries, the New Year has already passed, and only pleasant memories remain about it. According to the eastern calendar, this event will be celebrated again on February 16, which means that each of us will have the opportunity to enjoy our favorite holiday once again. Recall that in 2018, power passed to a new patroness - the Yellow Earth Dog.

How will the New Year 2018 come according to the Eastern calendar

It is unusual for many of us to hear that somewhere in the world the New Year is celebrated twice, but it is true. The Chinese love this magical event so much that they celebrate it in both the Eastern and Gregorian calendars. New Year 2018 in China will begin on February 16 at 18:13 Moscow time. Change will begin with a change in patron, and this year the reins are being passed to the Yellow Earth Dog. Perhaps some of you have already heard about her kindness and generosity. If you managed to anger the new mistress and have already felt her anger, then do not waste time and try to please her as soon as possible.

If in Western countries the New Year is celebrated on the night of December 31 to January 1, then in China the holiday lasts for 15 days. This period is officially considered a non-working period, so every resident of the country has the opportunity to relax and spend time happily and unforgettably.

How to Prepare for Chinese New Year 2018

As in Western countries, the Chinese begin to prepare for the New Year a few weeks in advance. Preparation begins with cleaning not only the house, but also the streets. Getting rid of old and unnecessary things is the most important tradition. It is necessary to restore complete order in the dwelling, so you need to get out even in hard-to-reach places.

In many countries, the main New Year's decoration is the Christmas tree, but in China, the tangerine tree, a symbol of wealth and good luck, has become its replacement. Traditionally, each house is decorated with various decorations, garlands and figurines of the patron animal. It is advisable to hang 5 multi-colored ribbons near the front door so that the current year will bring you success in all areas of life.

As in any other country, the main attribute of the Chinese New Year is the festive table. As treats, it is customary to serve various sweets, rice and Chinese dumplings with cabbage. It is believed that sweet dishes attract love and harmony into the life of every person, and rice and dumplings symbolize abundance and wealth.

At the New Year's table, it is necessary to allocate a place even to those family members who could not visit your house that day. There put plates, glasses, napkins and cutlery. Chinese New Year is usually celebrated with family, and you can invite friends to your house or go to visit only the next day.

If your family has a tradition of celebrating the Chinese New Year, then it's time to think about decorating your home. As a decoration, you can use the usual red thread. With its help, you can find happiness and achieve success in 2018. We wish you good luck and prosperity, and don't forget to press the buttons and

09.02.2018 02:42

In Chinese philosophy, the compilation of horoscopes has a special place. Chinese astrology is one of the oldest...

In China, the first celebration falls on January 1, as elsewhere. Chinese New Year as a traditional national holiday is calculated according to the lunar calendar and falls on a new day every year. Preparations for the celebration of the ethnic New Year in China are unusual. Chinese traditions, rituals and customs are of genuine interest to other peoples, especially Europeans. What is the peculiarity of the celebration of the New Year by the inhabitants of the Middle Kingdom?

Chinese New Year 2018: when does it start and end and how does it go?

Chinese new year, when does 2018 start and end? The Chinese New Year starts on February 16, 2018 and ends on February 4, 2019. The patron of the current year, the Rooster, will hand over the reins. This means that the Dog will become the patron and symbol of the coming year. The main color is Yellow, the element is Earth.

Every year, millions of people visit China in January or February to watch the Chinese New Year. This is one of the longest celebrations in the world, lasting 15 days.

What date is Chinese New Year? There is no and will not be an unequivocal answer to this question, because the date of the holiday is “floating”.

Chinese New Year 2018 is celebrated from February 16 to March 3 inclusive.

Every day of the holiday is held with ceremonies and rituals according to the traditions of the Chinese people. But this does not mean that all 15 days are public holidays. As is customary among Europeans, the Chinese also spend this sacred holiday for them in the circle of relatives and friends, at a rich festive table. This celebration is not complete without gifts and surprises.

The celebration of the traditional New Year on the night of January 1st is noisy and crowded. Mass festivities, fireworks, pranks - all this is inherent in the Chinese. In turn, the second New Year is spent in the family circle, with relatives and friends. For the coming year to be successful, it is necessary to observe this tradition. And then the earthy yellow Dog, the symbol of the year, will be a talisman against misfortunes and troubles, helping in difficult times.

On this day, you need to devote a lot of time to your loved ones and relatives, once again say how much you appreciate and love them, how dear they are to you. Small memorable souvenirs, an exchange of courtesies, a quiet and peaceful dinner, sincere communication with loved ones - this is the hallmark of this day. Peaceful atmosphere is the key to good luck in the coming year.

How is New Year celebrated in China?

How is New Year prepared and celebrated in China?

Training

Preparation for the upcoming holiday begins long before it arrives. Residential premises, offices, public places are subjected to global cleaning. There is total cleanliness everywhere. The Chinese get rid of old, unnecessary and broken items. City buildings are being repaired and painted. Each resident makes his own contribution to restore order. In this way, the Chinese disperse the old negative energy, making way for the arrival of new vital energy.

Decorations

Instead of spruce and pine, a Light tree is installed, it is a traditional New Year attribute in China. The entire interior of the dwelling is decorated with festive lanterns, garlands, everywhere there is a symbol of the year in the form of images and figurines of the ruling animal.

An interesting custom is observed: hanging colorful ribbons on the front door. There must certainly be 5 of them. Each of them is responsible for one of the vital areas:

• Family,
• Finance,
• business area,
• Love,
• Health.

Menu

Of course, the main holiday in China is not complete without laying a festive table. Every hostess in a Chinese family knows how to prepare and serve the main dishes: a variety of sweets, pieces of rice with spices, as well as traditional dumplings, a sign of abundance and prosperity. Dumplings must be molded in the form of a gold ingot. The presence of sweets on the table promises every household a sweet life in the coming year. A properly set table with all the rituals and the use of traditional dishes helps to attract good luck in the coming year.

The New Year's Chinese table is served for all family members, even if for some reason they cannot attend a joint festive celebration. Cutlery, plates and even napkins are all covered for absent relatives. The centuries-old tradition of celebrating the New Year in a close family circle is rarely violated. But this does not mean that the Chinese spend all 15 days only in the circle of relatives and friends, they also like to spend the next days of the celebration at a party or with friends.

Chinese New Year Legends

Legends about Chinese New Year

Some Chinese legends explain the origin of the New Year.

Legend #1

This legend begins with a story about an unfortunate woman who was married and could not give birth to a child. She was very sad about this and could not find consolation. One day a miracle happened! Once, her husband saw a prophetic dream that helped a poor woman get pregnant. The husband dreamed of a Phoenix bird, she flew to him, holding a grain of rice in her beak. The husband was very surprised and ate the brought grain. Nine months later, a son was born in the family.

But the fate of the boy was not easy. After a short time, the mother died, and the father found the stepmother. This woman turned out to be an insidious and evil person, she disliked the little boy. She kept thinking about how to kill an innocent child from the world and persuaded her husband to kill the boy.

The son found out about the plot of his stepmother and father, and left the house. Being a wise and kind young man, he got into the service of the Emperor, who fell in love with the boy very much and, in response to devotion, married him to both of his daughters. In recognition, he handed over the throne not to the direct heir, his son, but to this noble youth.

The coronation of the new emperor happened on the first day of the new moon. On this day, a sign happened, 10 suns sparkled in the sky - evidence of the chosen one of the Gods.

After many years of righteous rule, when the time came to hand over the crown, the emperor did the same as his predecessor: he gave the reins of government not by inheritance, but to an outside youth, whose coronation also took place on the first day of the new moon.

From here comes the tradition to celebrate the New Year in honor of the memory of all the emperors, thanks to whom China flourished for many centuries. This holiday is a symbol of hope for a bright future for the whole country and every person.

Legend #2

New Year is always considered the beginning of something new, both in human life and in nature. It has long been noted by the Chinese that the awakening of the Earth after hibernation occurs after the first new moon. Therefore, the New Year in China is traditionally celebrated on the day of the first new moon, thereby starting a new annual stage.

Legend #3

The third legend about the New Year is mythical in nature, but it is most popular among modern Chinese. According to ancient legends, a terrible and hungry monster lives on the seabed, which leaves its refuge once a year, when the new moon occurs. Having got out to land from the deep sea, the monster devours all living things in its path, not sparing people, animals and even small children.

Every year, the Chinese waited with horror for this day, and could not overcome the bloodthirsty creature. On one of these new moons, a monster broke into a small house and saw a little boy wearing bright red pajamas. The monster froze, and at that moment the boy's mother began to beat loudly on the walls in order to frighten the creature.

The monster, frightened by the loud sound and the red color, rushed away. Since then, the Chinese have known how to defeat the bloodthirsty creature. Therefore, every year, on the day of its release to the surface, they decorate their homes with red fabric and red toys, and bamboo is thrown into the fireplace, which burns with a loud crack.

Gifts for Chinese New Year

What gifts are usually given for Chinese New Year?

The Chinese do not make expensive gifts on New Year's Eve. It can be symbolic souvenirs and nice trinkets. Often parents present their children with red envelopes with a sum of money. This is one of the traditions that helps bring prosperity to the house in the coming year.

What to give

The most popular small gifts:

• Memorable souvenirs;
• Talismans and amulets to attract good luck;
• Sweet sets;
• Figurines of the symbol of the year (in 2018, these are all kinds of figurines of puppies and dogs);
• Greeting cards with best wishes for the new year.

Inappropriate Gifts

There are also rules that cannot be presented and done for the Chinese New Year:

• If you decide to wrap a gift or pack it in a festive box, in no case should you use blue and white colors. For the Chinese, it is a symbol of mourning.
• Be careful with numbers. For example, the number 4 for the Chinese is the personification of death (as in European culture 13 and 666).

gift etiquette

• When giving a gift, make sure you are alone. Indeed, for the Chinese, this is a purely personal moment and the presence of strangers is not allowed.
• The transfer of the presentation is carried out without fail with two hands.
• No matter how unusual it may seem, the pairing of the gift must be respected. If you give a figurine of a Dog or Dog, the ruler of the coming year, then you should give at least two figurines.
• Congratulations always begin with the elders, thereby respecting the adult generation. Babies are the last to receive their gifts.

Features of the Chinese New Year for each public holiday

First day

Chinese New Year celebration by day

On New Year's Eve, the whole family sits down at the festively laid table. When preparing the table, rituals and traditions are observed. There are obligatory dishes on the table, such as dumplings in the form of gold ingots, rice seasoned with spices, sweets and meat. If the family lives in the south of the country, then various seafood, duck, sausages are put on the table.

After spending time with relatives and friends, the Chinese go to mass celebrations or visit guests. On this night, it is customary to give two tangerines, which symbolize happiness, love and prosperity. In this country, one cannot do without deafening explosions of firecrackers and fireworks, sparklers and ignition of bamboo sticks.

Second day

The main ritual in the morning of this day is prayer. Every Chinese turns to the Gods with gratitude for a well-lived year and about his petitions in the coming one. Then during the day they go to celebrate for the guests, continuing to receive congratulations and present gifts. It is very important on this day to help the poor and needy people. It could be food, clothing, or even money.

The third day

This day has a calm, homely atmosphere. They don't visit or host anyone. The day is spent in the circle of relatives and friends for pleasant communication. This day is complete without gifts and a festive table. In China, the third day of the New Year is called "red dog" or "red mouth".

Fourth day

This is one of the last days for many Chinese, which is an official holiday. Therefore, it is dedicated to the last visits and congratulations of the remaining relatives and friends. The next day, workdays begin.

Fifth and sixth day

These days are marked by the preparation of a traditional Chinese dish under the original name "bobo". It is similar in shape to dumplings, but tastes like dumplings. The beginning of the working week usually begins with a magnificent fireworks display.

Seventh day

In China, it is customary to order prayers on this day and thank God. This day is not complete without a great dinner. The traditional dish is raw fish called Yusheng. Every Chinese must certainly taste some of this fish so that the coming year will be successful and prosperous.

eighth day

This day is considered very important for every Chinese, because according to their beliefs, the first grain of rice appeared on earth on this day. The weather on this day can tell the attentive Chinese what the harvest will be this year. If the day was good, then expect a rich harvest, if the weather on this day is inclement, then the year may not be fruitful. On this day, people honor the stars, visit temples, and burn candles. At the end of the working day, a family feast is arranged.

Ninth day

On the ninth day, many Chinese went to work. The rest visit temples to pray, light candles and incense. This is a historic day for the Chinese people, it is associated with the liberation of their country from the Japanese. It is good to donate food to the Gods on this day, thereby praising the Jade Emperor and the day of heaven. Pork is allowed at dinner today.

tenth day

This is the day of veneration of the stone. It is a bad omen on this sacred day to use objects that are made of stone. In honor of the holiday, candles and incense are burned in temples. In the evening they sit down with relatives and friends to play checkers or chess, etc.

Eleventh day

On this day sons-in-law are praised. On this occasion, a rich table is laid with traditional Chinese dishes. A friendly feast is replaced by laudatory speeches and presentation of souvenirs.

Twelfth day

On this day, it is customary to cleanse the body, give it a break from excessive consumption of heavy food, fatty and high-calorie foods. It is good to follow a vegetarian diet on this day. An important day for entrepreneurs who visit the temple to pray to the Gods, wishing well-being and prosperity in their personal business.

Thirteenth and fourteenth days

Only in this country they love and know how to make various lanterns. Therefore, the Chinese carefully prepare for the Lantern Festival two days in advance. The process of making lanterns is not laborious and entertaining. For the manufacture of all kinds of materials and objects are used. All skill and imagination are fully manifested. On this day, it is still important to cleanse the body and eat low-calorie foods.

Fifteenth day

The final day of the New Year celebration is dedicated to the Lantern Festival. It is considered a good tradition to gather in the evening in the family circle for the joint production of lanterns. The evening continues at the festive table with traditional Chinese dishes, such as pork in sweet sauce, rice porridge with sweets, dumplings. At the end of the dinner, all household members go out into the street with made lanterns to participate in mass festivities, concerts and fun performances.

What do the Chinese expect from 2018?

In China, they believe that the coming year will echo the features and characteristics of the animal, which will become the symbol of the year. In 2018, the year of the yellow earth dog awaits us, which means that the coming year will be significantly different from the previous fiery rooster.

There will be ambiguity in many areas. The dog is the lord of the year, endowed with noble traits such as friendliness, justice, honesty and loyalty, but unpredictability and laziness can slip into her behavior.

The Chinese believe that 2018 will bring us stability and tranquility, harmony and peace await us. Any conflicts will be resolved peacefully, contradictions will fade into the background. The year will be favorable for the conclusion of alliances both by individuals and by entire states. If you are thinking about replenishing the family in the near future, then the birth of a child in the year of the Dog is the best time for this important event.

The Chinese say that if you give a treat to all the dogs you meet on a holiday, then you will expect great luck and good health in the Year of the Dog.

Chinese New Year 2018 fell on February 16 (Friday) and the Chinese New Year festival will last until March 2, about 15 days in total. The new year according to the lunar calendar 2018 heralds a new beginning, life from scratch. Another aspect of the New Year is new beginnings.

Lunar New Year 2018 is the perfect time to embark on a journey that will allow you to stay in harmony with nature.

Lunar New Year 2018: when is the holiday

Chinese New Year dates vary slightly from year to year, but usually occur between January 21st and February 20th of the Gregorian calendar. It depends on the Chinese lunar calendar. The lunar calendar is linked to the movement of the moon, which usually determines traditional holidays such as the Chinese New Year (Spring Festival), the Lantern Festival and the Dragon Boat Festival.

A public holiday in China is only seven days from the lunar calendar. New Year falls on the sixth day of the first lunar month, however, in general, the festival lasts longer, from Lunar New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival.

According to old folk customs, the holiday begins even earlier, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month. Among these days, the day on New Year's Eve is the peak of the holiday.

Lunar New Year 2018: what is the lunar calendar

While we are all accustomed to using the ordinary calendar - also called the Gregorian or civil calendar - on the other side of the earth they live according to the lunar calendar. And while the two calendars have some similarities, they are also very different from each other.

The lunar calendar is completely dependent on the phases of the moon. A complete cycle goes through all the phases of the moon (there will be eight), which last about 29 and a half days. Each of these cycles is called a lunar cycle. The lunar calendar displays twelve full lunar months. Lunar months are shorter than normal calendar months, the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. The lunar calendar consists of 354 days.

Lunar New Year 2018: astrology and predictions

Aries, astrologers predict preparation for drastic changes. It is worth being courageous, strong and energetic in order to achieve your goals.

For those born under the sign of Taurus, astrologers predict 2018 as a year of complete control over what is happening. Taurus are creative and will keep their lives under control. Emotions that can rage during the new moon should be restrained.

For outgoing and quick-witted Gemini, 2018 will be an emotionally balanced year. Changes in personal life are possible, and there is also a high probability of relocation or repair.

Cancerians are known to be famous for their intuition and sentimentality. This year will be held in the family circle in a warm homely atmosphere.

For Leo, astrologers predict changes in personal growth. 20148 has prepared many new opportunities for this sign. Each lunar cycle will be a chance to seize these opportunities.

Virgos are complex creatures with an analytical mind, a kind heart, and practicality in life. 2018 promises to be a time of new beginnings.

For Libra, the coming year is predicted to be an occasion to get creative. The stars advise you to carefully plan every month.

Scorpio is known as a strong-willed and mysterious sign, Scorpios should tune in to the personal and professional advantages that will come into their lives. Those born under this sign will be accompanied by positive changes.

Sagittarius, energetic people with a love of travel, 2018 has prepared all the opportunities for personal growth and self-realization for you.

For Capricorns, the new year has prepared opportunities for spiritual growth that will entail new journeys, intellectual accomplishments, and even foreign connections.

Independent and outgoing Aquarians will discover new social experiences. The sociability of this sign will allow you to make new useful acquaintances.

For Pisces, astrologers predict that this year will bring them happiness and balance in all areas.

Lunar New Year 2018: stay in tune with the moon

The use of the phases of the moon and the lunar calendar allows you to correctly use energy flows and select the right time for certain actions. Being active at a time when the power of the moon allows it, we can achieve good results in business and personal life.

The lunar calendar is useful as a powerful planning tool. He gives all the necessary knowledge so as not to make mistakes. By tracking your health and the phases of the moon, you will be able to achieve mental, emotional and spiritual balance throughout the entire lunar year.

It just so happened that China celebrates not one New Year, but two - traditional (January 1) and, accordingly, Chinese, the date of which changes every year. This country is so interesting for its unusual views on many things familiar to us that it would be useful to get acquainted with some of them in order to get to know this oriental culture better.

When does Chinese New Year 2018 start and end?

First of all, it is worth noting that the New Year, celebrated by the Chinese, in 2018 it starts on February 16th. Holidays are almost two whole weeks: from February 16 to March 2. It is on these days that on the streets of China one can meet a large number of joyful and well-dressed people hurrying to visit or go home to relatives and friends to meet the change of not just the year, but also its patron, of which there are 12 in the Chinese calendar.

Thus, starting from February 16, the reins of government from the fiery Rooster will pass to yellow, which will already set the mood for the whole next year. Wherein Chinese New Year 2018 ends on March 2, the traditional Lantern Festival.

Chinese New Year Traditions

In honor of the advent of the Chinese New Year of the Dog, Chinese people traditionally dress in new red clothes, give each other gifts, mostly red envelopes. Especially such a gift is common among parents to their children. Money is invested in red envelopes. It is believed that money should attract other money, especially those donated by loved ones with best wishes.

Several centuries ago, the onset of the New Year during this period determined the start of sowing. That is why the Chinese used to congratulate each other not only on the change of periods, but also on the beginning of the most important and long-awaited season of the year, on which the future of their families depended. It was customary to wish a good harvest and prosperity. Now the Chinese are trying to celebrate the New Year holidays in a family way. Often on New Year's Eve they watch congratulatory programs on the leading channels of the country.

Chinese New Year celebration in Russia

In our country, the celebration of this date is not as common as in China. At the same time, perhaps only lovers of oriental culture and visiting Chinese celebrate it. As a rule, traditional folk dishes flaunt on the table, and houses are decorated with paper lanterns and images of the symbol of the coming year.

Traditional New Year in China in 2018

The Chinese, like us and many other inhabitants of our planet, celebrate the traditional New Year: on January 1st, while the holiday lasts for 3 whole days. This New Year has largely adopted the traditions of the European and American way of life, but some of the traditions of this holiday are native to China. For example, during the New Year (both traditional and Chinese), it is customary to wear all red - the color of well-being. Red attracts good luck and scares away a terrible creature, which, according to legend, appears every year precisely for the New Year. Therefore, all the Chinese try to spend the holiday as noisily as possible in order to scare away evil spirits, who are afraid of loud sounds, bright flashes (fireworks) and red.

In China, and indeed in the East Asian states, New Year's Eve is the main and longest festive event. Compared to its counterpart in the West, the Chinese New Year does not have a fixed date; every year it falls on a different date.

According to tradition, the beginning of the holiday is the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice. The second is always December 21st, so the parallel in the Gregorian calendar would be a period after that date until February 21st. The festivities themselves last two weeks.

In 2018, the New Year in China is expected on February 16 and it will continue until February 4, 2019. They plan to celebrate the holiday until March 2, but the official holidays for the Chinese are only the first week of the New Year.

• About the symbol of the coming year
• How is the New Year
• Gifts are delicate

Chinese preparation and New Year stages

Residents of China organize general cleaning in their homes, at work, on city streets. Before the New Year, it is customary to eliminate all old and useless things. It is believed that bringing complete purity will bring space for new and positive energy, will enable new achievements and pleasant events.

This is interesting: According to legend, on the first days of the New Year, you can’t get out. It is advised not to have cleaning devices in plain sight.

Asians use the Light Tree as their New Year's tree. In terms of housing decor, garlands, figurines, pictures of the animal that rules the ball in the coming year are used. The front door is decorated with ribbons of different colors in the amount of 5, as symbols of success in the main areas of life - family, business, finance, love, health.

We must not forget about the preparation of festive clothes. Chinese people traditionally celebrate the holiday in red clothes. According to Chinese belief, such a shade sends away an evil spirit that begins to look for potential victims on the main night of the year. According to legend, this monster "Nian" appears on New Year's Eve with the intention of eating cattle, crops and a couple of residents. To protect themselves from the monster, the Chinese decorate their houses in advance with red patterns, double inscriptions, paper lanterns, pictures with wishes of happiness, health, and long life.

About the symbol of the coming year

2018 according to the Chinese calendar will be held under the auspices and protection of the yellow Dog and the earth element. This combination is considered a sign of calmness in people's lives. This animal also appreciates comfort, stability, hates lies and betrayal, so it is a faithful patron of an honest and kind person.

I want the Year of the Dog to be as successful as possible this year. To do this, there are some tips that are manifested in the preparation and holding of the holiday:

in the decor of the New Year's tree there should be a golden or yellow color;

When choosing New Year's outfits, pay attention to clothes in soothing colors. The dog does not like glitter and ultramarine. It is also advised not to use a miniskirt, so as not to tease the animal;

medium-length wardrobe items, as well as gold and amber, all kinds of yellow jewelry will fall into the theme of the year;

To decorate the table, meat dishes, vegetables and fruits, again in yellow shades, will be appropriate;

Since the symbol of the year is an animal of a group type, it is ideal to celebrate the New Year in a noisy company;




If, nevertheless, you do not plan to invite guests, then the two of you can celebrate, most importantly, in a good mood, with fun and jokes.

As for the astrological forecast for 2018, it is optimal for entering into a happy marriage, career advancement, and the birth of heirs. That is, everything that is connected with stability and harmony in life will be successful. At the same time, playing with fortune, risky business, dubious proposals and thoughtless thoughts are better to be postponed or, if it is impossible without them, to be done with great care.

How is the New Year

The direct meeting of the New Year in China is divided into several stages:

1. Preparing a table at which the whole family meets. In this, the Chinese holiday is very similar to the Russian one, according to the principle of how the holiday goes,

It will be like this for the next year. An indispensable attribute of the holiday is a rich table, which symbolizes prosperity and abundance. And the family on the first night of the year should gather in full strength.

This is interesting: if for some reason relatives do not celebrate the New Year at home, cutlery is also prepared for them.

2. The arrival of the New Year. The family gathers at the table, everyone starts congratulating. It is not recommended to sleep at night, on the contrary, it is important to sincerely have fun, again to eliminate the spirit of "Nyan". After all, he does not tolerate red shades and human noise.

3. Visiting loved ones. Visit at the beginning of the year. An even number of tangerines is presented as a present, taking, in turn, these citrus fruits from the owners of the house. Some parallel with our Easter and testicles.

4. In general, citrus fruits should be present at the festive meal. It is believed that if there are 108 tangerines in the house on New Year's Eve, then the whole year will be happy.




5. In terms of food, a Chinese holiday is hard to imagine without fish and chicken products and tofu cheese. Even the names of these products are associated with happiness and well-being.

6. There are some differences in cuisine in different parts of the country. The northern Chinese prefer homemade dumplings that look like gold and silver bars and wish for wealth. Southerners are addicted to rice slices.

7. In China, prepare in advance for the ritual for well-being. A small bag of red material is sewn and filled with money, which is pre-washed. The last action is designed to get rid of someone else's energy from coins. This bag is tied with gold and red ribbons and placed in a beautiful dish. It is important that it was not metal. The bag is immersed in rice, placed in the southeastern part of the house and left in the corner of the room.

Gifts are delicate

You should take full responsibility for the choice and traditions associated with New Year's gifts. The Chinese are very reverent in honoring traditions, so their disrespect can be regarded as a personal insult.




Right on New Year's Eve, relatives present banknotes in red envelopes as a gift to each other. It is believed that the money received in the New Year will surely increase.

This is important: In China, gifts are not wrapped in paper or placed in blue and white boxes. Such colors among the Chinese are a symbol of mourning, as well as the number "four", which is excluded during festive events.

It is not customary to give gifts surrounded by other people, unlike the Slavic peoples. The present is given only in private and with two hands. The same tradition takes place in other situations, for example, when presenting a business card, thus showing more respect.

Chinese New Year gifts are given in pairs. For example, if this is a figurine with the symbol of the year, you need to purchase two of these options. At the same time, gifts are given according to "seniority", children receive them last.

New Year in the Middle Kingdom is a great occasion to get together, treat your family and friends with gifts, have fun and have a good time for a couple of weeks. In general, like the New Year in Russia. In 2018, February 16 falls on a Friday, so you will want to doubly cheer up. And not just the Chinese.