Ring in Prosperity: When Chinese New Year 2017 Brings Joy and Abundance
Are you ready to celebrate Chinese New Year 2017? This is one of the most important holidays in China and is celebrated by millions of people all over the world. It’s a time to reunite with family, feast on delicious food, and welcome in the new lunar year with joy and festivity.
The Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, falls on January 28th this year. The holiday lasts for 15 days, starting from the first day of the lunar calendar and ending with the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
One of the biggest traditions during Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner. Families gather together on New Year’s Eve to share a meal and exchange blessings for the upcoming year. Another popular tradition is the giving of red envelopes filled with money, a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
If you’re planning on celebrating Chinese New Year this year, you’ll want to make sure you have all the essentials. Red decorations, clothing, and even food are all key components of this festive holiday. In fact, many traditional Chinese dishes have meanings that represent wishes for the new year, such as fish for abundance and dumplings for wealth.
But Chinese New Year isn’t just about the celebrations and traditions. It’s also a time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the coming one. Many people use this time to make resolutions and set intentions for personal and professional growth.
It’s also important to note that Chinese New Year is celebrated not only in China but all over the world. From San Francisco to London, Chinatown districts come alive with parades, performances, and fireworks displays. It’s a time for people of all cultures to come together and celebrate this vibrant and meaningful holiday.
So what are your plans for Chinese New Year 2017? Whether you’re celebrating with family or friends, or attending a public event, there’s no shortage of ways to ring in the year of the rooster. Don’t miss out on all the excitement and joy that this holiday has to offer.
In conclusion, Chinese New Year 2017 is an important holiday that brings people together from all over the world. It’s a time to celebrate traditions, feast on delicious food, and set intentions for the coming year. Whether you’re Chinese or not, there’s no denying the significance and beauty of this festive occasion. So gather your loved ones and join in the festivities – it’s sure to be a memorable experience.
"When Chinese New Year 2017" ~ bbaz
Chinese New Year 2017: Celebrating the Year of the Rooster
The Chinese New Year is one of the most significant and celebrated holidays in Chinese culture. Also known as the Lunar New Year, this festival is observed not only in China but also in many other countries around the world, including Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. It is a time for family reunions, feasting, and exchanging gifts, as well as paying tribute to ancestors and deities.
History and Significance
The Chinese New Year has a long and rich history, dating back over 4,000 years. According to legend, it originated from a mythical beast called Nian that would come out to terrorize and eat people on the first day of the new year. To scare off the monster, people would light firecrackers and wear red clothes and decorations, which Nian was said to fear.
Over time, the celebration evolved into a more elaborate festival, incorporating religious and cultural traditions, such as ancestor worship, lion and dragon dances, and the exchange of lucky red envelopes filled with money. The date of the lunar new year, which falls between late January and mid-February, is determined by the lunar calendar and dictated by the cycles of the moon and the sun.
Preparations and Customs
Preparations for the Chinese New Year typically begin several weeks in advance, as families clean their homes and decorate them with banners, lanterns, and other auspicious symbols. They also stock up on traditional foods, such as dumplings, fish, rice cakes, and mandarin oranges, which are thought to bring good luck and prosperity.
During the week-long holiday, many people travel to their hometowns to spend time with their families and participate in rituals such as visiting temples, lighting incense, and setting off fireworks. Children receive red envelopes from their elders, while adults exchange gifts and feasts are shared with friends and relatives.
The Year of the Rooster
Each year in the Chinese zodiac calendar is associated with a different animal sign, based on a 12-year cycle. The year 2017 marks the start of the Year of the Rooster, which is believed to bring about new beginnings, prosperity, and happiness. Those born under the Rooster sign are said to be confident, hardworking, and honest.
As the world becomes more globalized, the Chinese New Year is now celebrated far beyond China and the Asia-Pacific region. In major cities around the world, such as New York, London, and Sydney, parades, festivals, and cultural events are held to mark the occasion and showcase the richness of Chinese culture.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Chinese New Year is a celebration that brings people together in unity, harmony, and joy. It symbolizes the importance of family, the value of tradition, and the hope for a brighter future. So whether you are a local or a tourist, young or old, it's never too late (or too early) to join in the festivities and experience the magic of this special holiday.
Comparison Blog Article about Chinese New Year 2017
Introduction
Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is the most important traditional festival in China and celebrated by Chinese people all over the world. This year, the Chinese New Year falls on January 28th, 2017 marking the beginning of the Year of the Rooster. It is time for reunion, feasting, gift-giving, and honor of ancestors and deities.History and Significance
Chinese New Year’s origins can be traced back to the ancient Chinese agrarian society, where they relied on the lunar calendar, and thus, the cycles of the moon for their planting and harvesting seasons. The Chinese New Year is celebrated to ward off evil spirits and to bring good luck, fortune, happiness, wealth, longevity, peace, and joy. Traditional customs and activities include cleaning the house, reunion dinners, exchanging gifts and red envelopes, setting off fireworks and wearing new clothes.Food and Drinks
Chinese New Year is a time for extravagant feasting where families will prepare an abundance of traditional Chinese dishes, such as dumplings, fish, spring rolls, noodles, rice cakes, and hot pot. Alcohol plays a significant role during the Chinese New Year for its symbolic purposes along with its ability to strengthen friendly relations among people.Dishes
| Chinese Dish | Description |
|---|---|
| Dumplings | Symbolize wealth and prosperity |
| Spring Rolls | Symbolize wealth and good fortune |
| Fish | Symbolize abundance and surplus |
| Rice Cakes | Symbolize getting higher and higher year by year- depending on the level of its quality when cooked, and its shape resembling an increase in status or aging. |
Decorations and Symbols
The Chinese love to adorn their homes with decorations during the Chinese New Year. Red decorations dominate as they are seen as a ‘lucky’ color. Decorations include couplets, banners, lanterns, red envelopes, and door gods. Symbols such as oranges, tangerines, and kumquat represent wealth, luck, and happiness.Symbols
| Symbol | Description |
|---|---|
| Red Envelope | Contains money and is given to children and unmarried adults during Lunar New year to bring good luck and fortune |
| Lanterns | Desired over Chinese New Year for fortune and long life |
| Oranges | Believed to bring wealth and good luck |
| Tangerines | Having the character luck, is often used for greetings and symbolizes wealth, happiness and prosperity. |
| Kumquat | Symbolize wealth and good fortune |
| Couplets | Words with lucky meanings that are pasted on the door or window frames to enhance the Lunar New Year's festive atmosphere and to help keep away evil spirits |
Activities and Celebrations
Chinese New Year is a time for family reunions. People travel from all over the country to be with their loved ones. Traditional activities include setting off fireworks, dragon dancing, temple fairs, lion dancing and exchanging red envelopes.Dragon Dancing vs Lion Dancing
| Dragon Dancing | Lion Dancing |
|---|---|
| Dragon-like creatures made of bamboo poles, fabric, and paint. They are believed to bring about good luck because they symbolize power, strength and good luck. | The lion consists of a performer dressed in a lion costume who mimics a lion's movements. It is played to bring good fortune and to dispel evil |
Conclusion
The Chinese New Year is one of the biggest celebrations in China and around the world. It brings people together to share joy and happiness while reflecting on the challenges of the past year and looking forward to the new year. The traditions and customs of the Chinese New Year are deeply rooted in Chinese culture and are unique and fascinating to experience. With its rich history and importance to the Chinese people, there is no better way to appreciate this festival than by immersing oneself in the celebrations.Chinese New Year 2017: Tips and Traditions
Introduction
The Chinese New Year is an important traditional festival that is celebrated annually. It falls on a different date every year, and in 2017, it will be celebrated on the 28th of January. The festival is also known as the spring festival, and it lasts for 15 days.The Year of the Rooster
In Chinese astrology, each year is associated with an animal sign. This year, 2017, is the year of the rooster. People born in the year of the rooster are said to be hardworking, confident, and sociable. They also have a strong sense of responsibility and can sometimes be perfectionists.Preparations
Preparations for the Chinese New Year usually start a few weeks before the actual day. People begin by cleaning their homes and getting rid of any bad luck from the previous year. This is also a time when they do some shopping for new clothes, decorations, and food.Red Decorations
During the Chinese New Year, you will notice that red is everywhere. Red is considered a lucky color in Chinese culture, and it is believed to bring good fortune and happiness. You will see red lanterns, banners, and other decorations in homes and public places.Reunion Dinner
On New Year's Eve, families gather together for a reunion dinner, usually at the home of the eldest member of the family. The meal typically includes a variety of dishes, each with symbolic meaning. For example, fish represents wealth, dumplings symbolize prosperity, and noodles stand for longevity.Fireworks
One of the most exciting things about the Chinese New Year is the fireworks. Fireworks are set off on New Year's Eve and throughout the first few days of the new year to scare away evil spirits. The fireworks displays can be quite spectacular, with bright colors and loud explosions.Giving Red Envelopes
Another tradition during the Chinese New Year is giving red envelopes filled with money. The envelopes, called hongbao, are given to children, unmarried adults, and sometimes even to employees as a bonus. The money inside the envelope is believed to bring good luck and prosperity.Visiting Family and Friends
During the 15 days of the festival, it is customary to visit family and friends. People exchange greetings and well-wishes, and children often perform traditional dances or songs. It is also a time when people honor their ancestors by visiting their graves and offering them food and incense.Ending the Festival
The Chinese New Year festivities come to an end with the lantern festival on the 15th day of the new year. This is a time when people release lanterns into the sky or onto water to symbolize letting go of the old and embracing the new. It is also an opportunity for people to enjoy sweet glutinous rice balls, a traditional treat.Conclusion
The Chinese New Year is a special time of year that brings families and friends together. Whether you are celebrating with loved ones or simply enjoying the festive atmosphere, there are many traditions and customs to enjoy. By following these tips and participating in the celebrations, you can bring happiness, good fortune, and prosperity into your life.When Chinese New Year 2017
Welcome to the year of the rooster! Chinese New Year is fast approaching and if you’re looking to celebrate it, there are plenty of ways you can join in with the festivities. As one of the biggest events on the Chinese calendar, there are many traditions associated with the celebrations that you may want to know about. Whether it’s your first time experiencing Chinese New Year or you’ve celebrated it before, it’s always an exciting time.
The date of Chinese New Year changes each year as it’s dictated by the lunar calendar. In 2017, it falls on January 28th and will run for two weeks until February 11th. This is a time for Chinese families to come together and reunite, sharing food and exchanging gifts whilst setting off fireworks.
There are twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac cycle and each year is represented by an animal. This year it’s the rooster – the only bird in the cycle. People born in the year of the rooster are said to be confident, hardworking and have a sharp wit; those born in 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993 or 2005 are all roosters.
Preparing for Chinese New Year begins weeks in advance as people clean their homes in the hopes of sweeping away any bad luck that may have accumulated over the previous year. They will also ‘spring clean’ to welcome in good fortune for the new year. Red decorations will be hung up as the colour symbolises good luck and prosperity.
Another big part of Chinese New Year is the food. Different dishes have different meanings behind them. Fish is often eaten as it represents surplus and wealth, whilst dumplings are traditionally eaten as they resemble gold ingots. Nian Gao (rice cakes) are also popular as they symbolise growth and progress. Each dish carries its own meaning and connects with the hopes and wishes for the new year.
The celebrations last for two weeks and during this time, there are certain things Chinese people will avoid doing. For example, washing your hair is thought to wash away good luck, so some people will avoid this throughout the whole two weeks. It’s also considered bad luck to swear or argue, so people will try to be in a positive state of mind.
One tradition during Chinese New Year is giving red envelopes containing money to children. These envelopes are seen as a way to pass on prosperity and good fortune to the next generation. The envelopes are given by family members and close friends and it’s customary to give an even number of notes as odd numbers are thought to bring bad luck.
On New Year’s Eve, the celebrations begin. Families will gather together for a meal, exchanging gifts and setting off fireworks. Offering gifts of food is seen as a way to show respect to elders. Fireworks are set off to ward off evil spirits and to welcome in the new year.
As the New Year dawns, people will greet each other with sayings such as ‘xin nian kuai le’ (meaning ‘happy new year’) and ‘gong xi fa cai’ (meaning ‘wishing you prosperity’). Traditional activities during this time include lion dances, dragon dances and hanging red lanterns. Parades are also common in towns and cities with large Chinese communities.
Chinese New Year is a wonderful and cultural event that should definitely be on your bucket list. It’s an experience like no other and lets you immerse yourself in a unique celebration. So why not join in and be a part of the 2017 Chinese New Year festivities?
Thank you for reading and we hope that this article has been helpful in understanding the significance of Chinese New Year. We hope you’ve learnt something new and are looking forward to celebrating it. Happy Chinese New Year and we wish you all the prosperity and happiness for the year of the rooster!
When is Chinese New Year 2017?
People Also Ask...
1. What is Chinese New Year?
Chinese New Year is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the lunar calendar.
2. When does Chinese New Year start and end?
Chinese New Year starts on January 28, 2017, and ends on February 15, 2018.
3. Why is Chinese New Year celebrated?
Chinese New Year is celebrated as a time of new beginnings and family reunions. It is also known as the Spring Festival and is an opportunity to offer prayers for a prosperous year ahead.
4. How is Chinese New Year celebrated?
Chinese New Year is celebrated with fireworks, parades, feasts, and the exchange of red envelopes filled with money. People clean their homes to signify getting rid of bad luck from the previous year, and decorate with red banners and lanterns to welcome good fortune.
5. What is the significance of the zodiac animal for Chinese New Year?
Every Chinese New Year is associated with one of 12 zodiac animals. The animal is believed to influence the personality traits of people born in that year. 2017 is the Year of the Rooster.