The Spring Festival is the most important traditional festival in China. Similar to Christmas Eve, it is also a grand celebration of Christmas every year. It symbolizes the end of the year and the beginning of the new year, and carries rich cultural connotations and historical heritage. During the Spring Festival, colorful New Year celebrations are carried out across the country, reflecting the characteristics of each region. People firmly believe that spring symbolizes the beginning of the year and is the season when all things wake up and revive. Therefore, they will choose to perform sacrificial activities in spring to pray for good weather and abundant harvests in the coming year, hoping to receive God's protection and blessings. This traditional custom is passed down from generation to generation. Over time, this sacrificial activity gradually evolved and eventually became a festival celebrated by the whole people.
According to the dry calendar, 2024 is the year of Jiachen. If Chen is a dragon, then this year is called the Year of the Dragon. In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon is considered the most auspicious of the twelve zodiac signs, with the meaning of good fortune and protection. , is a symbol of auspiciousness, representing strength, glory and luck. Dragon is a mysterious creature. Whenever I think about dragons, I feel like I can feel their magical energy. How fascinating! In addition, the dragon, as a symbol of the Chinese nation, has been deeply rooted in the hearts of all Chinese people for five thousand years, forming a dragon culture with strong cohesion. This culture has made great contributions to China's unification and development in history, and it still plays a unique role in China's unification and prosperity. So in the Year of the Dragon, do you know what traditional customs the Chinese have and how they celebrate this grand festival? Come with me to find out, and let's hang out here for a while.
First, let’s introduce the origin of the Spring Festival and the origin of the year. There are two main theories among the people: one is that there was a ferocious monster in ancient times named "Nian". Every year on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, he would go door to door looking for human flesh. , harming all sentient beings. One night on the 30th of the twelfth lunar month, "Nian" went to a village and happened to see two shepherd boys competing for a bullwhip. "Nian" suddenly heard the crackling sound of a whip in the air and ran away in fright. It ran to another village and saw a red skirt hanging in front of a house. It didn't know what it was, so it turned around and ran away in fright. Later, it came to a village and looked at the door of a house. It saw a bright light inside, which made it dizzy, so it had to sneak away with its tail between its legs. From this, people figured out that "Nian" was afraid of sound, red and light, and came up with many ways to resist it, which gradually evolved into today's New Year customs.
In China, the New Year is getting closer and closer, and the streets and alleys are filled with a strong festive atmosphere. At this time, people will put down their work and return to their hometowns to reunite with their families and welcome the New Year together. At this special moment, there are also many New Year customs with local characteristics. There are also more and more pedestrians and vehicles on the streets. People outside were also busy going home to reunite with their parents, and the big trees on both sides of the street were also hung with strings of red lanterns. At this moment, the city seemed to be wearing new clothes for the New Year. The beautiful scene in front of us tells people: New Year is here, New Year is here.Now let me introduce some things and customs during the Chinese New Year.
- Paste Spring Festival couplets
Spring couplets are one of the symbols of the Chinese New Year. At the beginning of the new year, the first thing to do is to post Spring Festival couplets, which express the good wishes of the Chinese working people to ward off evil spirits, eliminate disasters, and welcome good fortune. On New Year's Eve, every household will paste red Spring Festival couplets on the door, and some paste the word "福" on the door, wall, or lintel, which means praying for peace and prosperity in the new year. Some people will put door god paintings on door panels to pray for peace in the coming year and add to the festive atmosphere. The Spring Festival couplets are beautiful and poetic, not only showing the breadth and depth of Chinese culture, but also expressing people's yearning for a better life.
- Eat dumplings, glutinous rice balls, and rice cakes
Dumplings are an indispensable holiday food during the Spring Festival for the following reasons: First, dumplings are shaped like ingots. People eat dumplings during the New Year to "attract wealth"; secondly, dumplings are stuffed, which makes it easy for people to wrap various auspicious things in the stuffing to express people's wishes for the new year. Tangyuan symbolizes family reunion, and eating glutinous rice balls also symbolizes family happiness and reunion in the new year.Generally speaking, during the Chinese New Year, dumplings are eaten in the north and glutinous rice balls are eaten in the south. In some places, there is a custom of eating rice cakes during the Chinese New Year. Whether it is dumplings or glutinous rice balls, they all express people's expectations for a better life.
- Worship ancestors and gods
Ancestor worship is a grand folk activity! Chinese people have a tradition of remembering the past and paying homage to their ancestors during festivals and festivals. In some places, while offering sacrifices to their ancestors, they also offer sacrifices to the gods of heaven and earth to pray for good weather, abundant harvests, and good luck in the coming year. The offerings are usually three kinds of animal food, three teas and five wines, etc.; the parents preside over the ceremony, burn three sticks of incense, bow and burn paper, which is commonly known as "giving money and food". Folk ancestor worship customs have a history of thousands of years and are an ancient custom with far-reaching significance.
4.Dragon and lion dance
During the Spring Festival, in order to drive away the "Nian" beast, people will perform some special performances. In many places in China, dragon and lion dances are one of the most representative performances. People celebrate the New Year in this way and pray for good weather and abundant harvests. The dragon and lion dance performances are full of festive and joyful atmosphere, adding endless joy to the New Year. The images of dragons and lions are endowed with auspicious meanings. Their somersaults and lively performances symbolize good fortune and peace for the country and its people.
- Eat reunion dinner
The most important thing during the Chinese New Year is the reunion dinner. This is an important ritual for every household to welcome the New Year. Families will prepare and purchase the ingredients they need to eat in advance, and some even start making these plans half a month in advance. On New Year's Eve, the whole family sits together and puts aside all the stress and fatigue. At this moment, there was only the laughter and laughter of the family, and everyone happily enjoyed the sumptuous reunion dinner. This meal not only represents family reunion, but also means praying for a bumper harvest and family happiness in the new year.
- Set off firecrackers
According to legend, this was to drive away a monster named "Nian". At midnight, the New Year's bell rings and firecrackers blast over the land of China. This sound can drive away all bad luck. Setting off firecrackers is not only for fun, but also symbolizes the beginning of time. Setting off firecrackers is another way Chinese people celebrate the New Year. With the development of cities, many places have begun to ban the setting off of firecrackers, but this traditional custom is still retained in many places.
- New Year’s money
The last part is also the part that all the children look forward to the most. New Year's money is also called "Sha" money ("Sha" means unlucky, and the ancients used this custom to express that nothing unlucky will happen in the coming year). Sending lucky money is a unique custom in traditional Chinese culture. During the Chinese New Year, elders give lucky money to younger generations, which means sending good luck and blessings. This custom not only represents the care of the elders for the younger generations, but also embodies the respect for the elderly and love for the young in traditional Chinese culture. It is generally believed that it can drive away evil spirits, exorcise ghosts, and bless peace.
These are just some of the customs of Chinese New Year. There are actually many other local customs. These customs not only enrich people's lives, but also inherit China's excellent traditional culture. It would be really incredible and exciting if we had the opportunity to try and experience such an atmosphere together.
In addition, due to the Lunar New Year this year, Chinese manufacturers will take a holiday starting from January 30 and return on February 15. Your package may be delayed in delivery, I hope you understand, but during this long waiting period we will be ready to give you a mysterious surprise gift! With the discount code, you can directly enjoy the discount when placing an order! (Valid during holidays only) Discount must be an annual discount, which will provide up to 12% off your order. You only need to enter the HNY12 discount code when placing an order to enjoy this discount. We understand and hope there are unique discounts and gifts waiting for you!
Another mysterious little gift that means a lot. It originates from Chinese history and culture and has a long history. It is a unique hand-woven handicraft of the Han nationality. It represents unity, happiness and peace. With its unique oriental charm and colorful changes, it fully reflects the wisdom and profound cultural heritage of the Chinese people. In line with the customs and aesthetic concepts of traditional Chinese decoration. Friends who want to meet you have already guessed what this particularly meaningful gift is~Chinese knot！
Of course, this is more than just a simple vacation. We look back on this year with great pride. In 2023, we served countless customers. While reaping this joy, we still have many shortcomings to improve. thank you all. Always trust, support and tolerate! We will definitely get better and better in the new year and accompany you all towards a bright future. Finally, I wish everyone a happy Spring Festival in 2024! In the prosperous age of dragons, auspiciousness abounds! Have fun every day in the new year!
