About Spring Festival
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, is China's most important traditional festival. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and is celebrated with family reunions, feasts, and various customs to bring good luck and prosperity. The festival typically falls between January 21 and February 20 on the Gregorian calendar.
Based on the Chinese lunar calendar, the date changes each year
Millions travel home to celebrate with family
Giving money in red envelopes for good luck
Each year is associated with a Chinese zodiac animal
History and Significance
The Spring Festival has a history of over 4,000 years. It originated from ancient agricultural society's celebration of the new year and worship of ancestors. The festival combines various customs and traditions that have evolved over centuries, reflecting Chinese values of family unity, respect for elders, and hopes for prosperity.
The festival began as a celebration of the new year and worship of ancestors in agricultural society.
The festival was officially recognized and many customs were established.
The festival became more elaborate with lantern displays and performances.
The festival has evolved to include modern elements while preserving traditional customs.
Traditional Customs
Key customs include cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck, decorating with red lanterns and couplets, giving red envelopes (hongbao) with money to children, family reunion dinners, setting off fireworks, and visiting relatives and friends. Each day of the 15-day celebration has specific traditions and meanings.
Preparation
Clean the house thoroughly to sweep away bad luck from the previous year. Decorate with red lanterns, couplets, and paper cuttings.
Reunion Dinner
Family members gather for a lavish feast on New Year's Eve, featuring dishes with symbolic meanings for prosperity and good fortune.
Red Envelopes
Adults give red envelopes (hongbao) containing money to children and unmarried adults to transfer good fortune and blessings.
Fireworks
Setting off fireworks and firecrackers at midnight on New Year's Eve to drive away evil spirits and welcome the new year.
Traditional Foods
The Spring Festival feast includes various symbolic dishes. Dumplings (饺子) represent wealth, fish (鱼) symbolizes abundance, spring rolls (春卷) represent wealth, and niangao (年糕) promises a higher position in the coming year. Families also enjoy various sweets, fruits, and traditional snacks during the celebration.
Dumplings (饺子)
Shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots, dumplings symbolize wealth and prosperity. Making dumplings together is also a family activity.
Fish (鱼)
The word for fish (鱼) sounds like "surplus" in Chinese. Eating fish symbolizes abundance and prosperity for the coming year.
Spring Rolls (春卷)
Named for the Spring Festival, these crispy rolls are filled with vegetables and meat, symbolizing wealth and good fortune.
Niangao (年糕)
A sticky rice cake that symbolizes a higher position or status in the coming year. The name sounds like "year high" in Chinese.
Modern Celebrations
Today's Spring Festival celebrations blend traditional customs with modern elements. Cities host grand lantern festivals, cultural performances, and temple fairs. Many people travel home using modern transportation, and digital red envelopes have become popular. The festival has also gained international recognition, with celebrations in many countries worldwide.
China's largest annual migration as people return home
WeChat and Alipay offer digital versions of traditional red envelopes
Celebrated in Chinatowns and cities worldwide
Travel Tips
If you're visiting China during the Spring Festival, be prepared for large crowds and higher prices. Book transportation and accommodations well in advance. Experience temple fairs, lantern festivals, and traditional performances in major cities. Visit local families to experience authentic celebrations, but remember to bring appropriate gifts. Many businesses close during the festival, so plan accordingly.
Planning
Book flights and hotels at least 3-4 months in advance. Expect higher prices and limited availability.
Experiences
Visit temple fairs, lantern festivals, and cultural performances in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou.
Etiquette
If invited to a family celebration, bring appropriate gifts like fruit, tea, or red envelopes for children.