What is the Spring Festival?
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is the most important traditional festival in China. It falls on the first day of the lunar calendar, usually in late January or early February, and lasts for 15 days. It is a time for family reunions, festive celebrations, and exchanging greetings and gifts.
Traditions and Customs
During the Spring Festival, many traditions and customs are observed. The most well-known include:
Spring cleaning: Houses are cleaned from top to bottom to sweep away bad luck and make room for good luck.
New Year's Eve dinner: Families gather for a sumptuous feast, which includes dishes with symbolic meanings, such as fish for surplus and dumplings for wealth.
Red decorations: Red is the color of luck and happiness, so red decorations, such as couplets, paper-cuttings, and lanterns, are hung up everywhere.
Fireworks: Fireworks are set off on New Year's Eve to scare away evil spirits and welcome in the new year.
Hongbao: Red envelopes filled with money are given as gifts to children, unmarried adults, and senior citizens as a way to wish them good luck and prosperity.
Travel Rush
The Spring Festival is also known for the largest human migration in the world, known as the Spring Festival travel rush, or chunyun. Because many Chinese people work in large cities far away from their hometowns, they return home for the holiday. This causes a surge in transportation demand, leading to packed trains, buses, and planes, and long hours of waiting.
Global Celebrations
The Spring Festival is not only celebrated in China, but also in many other countries where there are Chinese communities. These celebrations are usually organized by local Chinese associations or temples, and include dragon and lion dances, festive food, and cultural performances. The Spring Festival has become a cultural bridge between China and the rest of the world.
The Past and Future
The Spring Festival has a long history, dating back to the Shang Dynasty (1600 BC-1046 BC). Over the centuries, the festival has undergone many changes, such as the addition of new customs and the adaptation to modern lifestyles. However, its essence remains the same: to celebrate the new year and hope for a better future. As China continues to develop and undergo changes, the Spring Festival will undoubtedly continue to evolve, but it will always remain a cherished tradition that brings together families, friends, and communities.