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Chinese New Year 2023 will be celebrated on January 22, 2023. This date is determined by the lunar calendar, so the exact date of the holiday changes from year to year. Chinese New Year is a major holiday in China and is also celebrated by people of Chinese descent around the world. It is a time for families to come together, to celebrate the past year, and to look forward to the year ahead.
Chinese New Year is a multi-day holiday that is traditionally celebrated for about two weeks. However, the official public holiday in China for Chinese New Year is only three days long, from New Year's Day (the first day of the new year) through the third day. Many people in China take additional time off work to celebrate with their families, so the holiday period can feel much longer.
During Chinese New Year, it is common for people to visit family and friends, exchange gifts, and participate in traditional activities such as setting off firecrackers and attending temple fairs. It is also a time for special meals, including a reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, and for decorating homes with red lanterns and other symbols of luck and prosperity.
The Chinese zodiac is a system of assigning a specific animal to each year in a 12-year cycle. The animals in the Chinese zodiac are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
The year 2023 is the year of the pig. According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the year of the pig are said to be honest, loyal, and hardworking. They are also thought to be intelligent, brave, and optimistic, and are said to have good fortune in their lives. The pig is the twelfth and final animal in the Chinese zodiac, and the year of the pig comes around once every 12 years.
There are no specific dress codes for Chinese New Year, but it is traditional to wear new clothes to celebrate the holiday. Red is a lucky color in Chinese culture, so many people choose to wear red or red-colored clothing during the holiday. It is also common to wear clothes with auspicious symbols, such as dragons or phoenixes, which are thought to bring good luck.
In terms of dress code, it is important to consider the specific occasion and location. For example, if you are attending a formal dinner or a temple visit, it would be more appropriate to dress formally. If you are just visiting family and friends, or participating in casual activities, it would be more appropriate to dress in a relaxed and comfortable manner.
Overall, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and celebrate the holiday in a way that is meaningful to you.
Here are ten myths about Chinese New Year:
Myth: Chinese New Year is always on January 1st.
Fact: Chinese New Year is determined by the lunar calendar, and the date changes from year to year. It can fall anywhere between January 21 and February 20.
Myth: Chinese New Year is a time of sadness and mourning.
Fact: Chinese New Year is a time of celebration and joy. It is a time for families to come together and to celebrate the past year and the year ahead.
Myth: Everyone in China celebrates Chinese New Year.
Fact: While Chinese New Year is a major holiday in China, not everyone in the country celebrates it. Some people may be unable to participate due to work or other commitments, while others may not observe the holiday due to personal beliefs or cultural differences.
Myth: Red envelopes are only given to children.
Fact: Red envelopes, or "hongbao," are often given to children during Chinese New Year, but they can also be given to adults as a way to show respect or appreciation.
Myth: You can't sweep or clean during Chinese New Year.
Fact: While it is traditional to clean and tidy the home before Chinese New Year to welcome good luck, it is not forbidden to sweep or clean during the holiday.
Myth: You can't use sharp objects during Chinese New Year.
Fact: There is no prohibition against using sharp objects during Chinese New Year. This myth may have originated from the belief that using sharp objects during the holiday could cut off good luck.
Myth: Chinese New Year is a time for ghosts and spirits to roam the earth.
Fact: Chinese New Year is not a time for ghosts and spirits to roam the earth. This myth may be influenced by the belief that the gates of hell are opened during the holiday, allowing the spirits of the deceased to visit the living.
Myth: Chinese New Year is a time for wild parties and heavy drinking.
Fact: While it is common for people to celebrate Chinese New Year with parties and social gatherings, it is not necessarily a time for wild parties or heavy drinking. How people choose to celebrate the holiday can vary widely depending on personal preferences and cultural traditions.
Myth: The animal of the year has an influence on people's personalities.
Fact: The animal of the year has no influence on a person's personality. The Chinese zodiac is a system of assigning a specific animal to each year in a 12-year cycle, and is used primarily for cultural and astrological purposes.
Myth: Chinese New Year is the only holiday celebrated in China.
Fact: Chinese New Year is a major holiday in China, but it is not the only holiday celebrated in the country. There are many other holidays and festivals throughout the year, including the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Dragon Boat Festival, and the National Day.
There are many traditional foods that are eaten during Chinese New Year to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. Here are a few examples:
Fish: Fish is a symbol of abundance and prosperity, and is traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve.
Dumplings: Dumplings are often eaten on Chinese New Year's Eve or during the first few days of the new year. The shape of the dumpling, which is similar to ancient Chinese gold ingots, is thought to bring wealth and good fortune.
Noodles: Noodles are traditionally eaten on Chinese New Year to symbolize long life. It is considered good luck to not break the noodles when eating them.
Spring rolls: Spring rolls are often eaten during Chinese New Year because the name in Chinese sounds like "luck."
Tangerines and oranges: Tangerines and oranges are traditionally given as gifts and eaten during Chinese New Year because they are symbols of prosperity and good luck.
Chicken: Chicken is often served during Chinese New Year because it is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune.
Glutinous rice cake: Glutinous rice cake, or "nian gao," is a traditional Chinese New Year food. The name in Chinese sounds like "higher year," which is thought to bring good luck and a higher social status in the new year.
Sweet rice ball: Sweet rice balls, or "tang yuan," are often eaten during Chinese New Year to symbolize family togetherness.
These are just a few examples of the many traditional foods that are eaten during Chinese New Year. Different regions and families may have their own specific traditions and dishes that they like to eat during the holiday.
Here are some popular Chinese New Year decorations:
Red lanterns: Red lanterns are a symbol of good luck and are commonly used to decorate homes and streets during Chinese New Year.
Red envelopes: Red envelopes, or "hongbao," are often given as gifts during Chinese New Year and are sometimes used as decorations as well.
Chinese knots: Chinese knots are intricately-tied decorative knots that are thought to bring good luck and are often used as decorations during Chinese New Year.
Paper cuttings: Paper cuttings are intricate designs cut out of paper and are often used to decorate windows and doors during Chinese New Year.
Fu characters: Fu characters are Chinese characters that mean "good fortune" or "good luck." They are often displayed during Chinese New Year to bring good luck for the year ahead.
Red and gold decorations: Red and gold are considered lucky colors in Chinese culture and are often used as decorations during Chinese New Year.
Dragons and phoenixes: Dragons and phoenixes are symbols of good luck and are often used as decorations during Chinese New Year.
Flowers: Flowers, particularly peach blossoms and narcissus, are often used as decorations during Chinese New Year because they are symbols of prosperity and good fortune.
These are just a few examples of the many decorations that are used to celebrate Chinese New Year. Different regions and families may have their own specific traditions and decorations.
