If you think the ground under your feet is trembling on February 1 – don’t be afraid! This is only the beginning of the Chinese New Year 2022. You will see that 20% of the earth’s entire population is celebrating – using more fireworks than any other day of the year. It is a celebration marked by red envelopes, good food, and blessings for all.
WHEN IS CHINESE NEW YEAR 2022?
The Chinese New Year, or The Lunar Year, is a 15-day festival celebrated annually based on the philosophy of Amavasya. The occasion is also known as the Spring Festival, the year of the ox, and an animal is associated with each new year. Animals rotate and repeat according to a certain cycle.
CHINESE NEW YEAR TRADITIONS
There are 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. These are rats, bulls, tigers, rabbits, dragons, snakes, horses, goats, monkeys, cocks, dogs, and pigs. In that order. The Chinese New Year is as grand as the New Year celebration of the Gregorian calendar. There is a tradition of feasting with the family on this day.
Some foods are symbolic and common during the Chinese New Year 2022. Dumplings represent wealth, so they are eaten in abundance, fish is another food that is eaten a lot. Red is considered a lucky color in China and during the Chinese New Year, it is seen everywhere – representing beauty, fortune, vitality, happiness, and good fortune.
Some Chinese New Year Activities Ideas to celebrate CNY 2022
Putting Up New Year Decorations
Some people decorate their homes several days before the festival, most people do it on The Eve of the Chinese New Year 2022. The houses are decorated with red lanterns, red spring couplets, paper cuttings, and New Year paintings.
It is believed that keeping these ornaments keeps evil at bay and prays for blessings, longevity, health, and peace. 2022 is the year of the tiger, so pictures of the tiger will appear on decoration.
Offering Sacrifices to Ancestors
Sacrificing ancestors shows respect and piety. Moreover, ancestral souls are believed to protect their descendants and help them prosper.
Many worships on Chinese New Year’s Eve, before reunion dinners, to show that they are giving their ancestors “food” first. Meat, wine, jaws sticks, and jaws paper offerings are placed in front of the temple/tomb.
Enjoying a Chinese new year food
New Year’s Eve reunion dinner is a “must-have” dinner with reunions of all family members. Chinese try hard to build this family program, often traveling long distances. This is the main cause of heavy travel tensions across China.
Giving Red Envelopes
People usually exchange red envelopes on this day. Also, Parents give their children red envelopes after reunion dinners, development, wishing them health, and good education in the coming year.
Money in the red envelope is believed to bring good fortune because red is the lucky color of China, so it is called lucky money.
Watching Lion and Dragon Dances
Leo dance and dragon dance are also seen on New Year’s Day. As it is very popular in China, they are reappearing in many places. They are more popular in other countries like USA, Australia, Hong Kong and Macau.
Conclusion
In many Asian countries, the Chinese New Year 2022 is a particularly remarkable occasion. Include as many cultural components as possible, and educate yourself and your loved ones in this process to give this opportunity in the right way. Just enjoy this Chinese new year 2022.