Unlike in the West, China, like other Asian countries, celebrates the Chinese New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, this unique and symbolic celebration is characterized by its varied traditions.
CHINESE ZODIAC
In this culture, each year is represented by a different animal, corresponding to the Chinese zodiac. If 2023 was marked by the rabbit, this new year will have a new protagonist: The Dragon.
But why is it represented by animals? How does the Chinese calendar work?
The Chinese calendar is lunisolar, that is, it is based on the calculation of the movements of the Moon and the rotation of the Earth around the Sun.
Thus, each year has 12 or 13 months, and the length of a month in the Chinese calendar is not fixed from year to year, as it is in the Gregorian calendar. This means that a short month has 29 days, while a long month has 30 days. Hence, the dates of the Chinese New Year are different from year to year and compared to the Gregorian calendar. In addition, to keep the calendar synchronized with solar cycles, there is a leap month every two or three lunar years.
ANIMALS
In ancient China, the titles of emperors and the Ganzhi Celestial System were used to count the years, so in the year 2937 BC the first Chinese lunar calendar was created.
Based on this Chinese lunar calendar, each sign consists of 60 years (the reign of the Yellow Emperor), distributed in five cycles of twelve years each. It was from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), when the Chinese began to use the twelve animal signs in order: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
What does the Chinese New Year symbolize?
There is a legend, dating back to the 14th century BC, that claims that a monster from Chinese mythology, called Nian, attacked at the beginning of the year. As a counterattack and in the face of the fear it generated, the inhabitants drove it away with strong lights and noises to protect their families. Over time, this has become a way of paying homage to the consummation of another year. The Chinese New Year also marks the beginning of a succession of events combined with the cultural beliefs of the East that have become popular for its colorful red tones that, among lights and firecrackers, decorate the streets through a series of rituals that seek to ensure success in the coming year.
Traditions
To celebrate, Chinese communities hold banquets, fireworks and parades, making the two weeks that correspond to the duration of the festivities a time of reflection and prayer to attract prosperity. A very important figure is the dragon, to mark the arrival of the full moon; a colorful puppet in this shape is generally used, which dances through the streets during the lantern festival.
Families often exchange gifts with each other, giving money in red envelopes for good luck, and sharing meals at the home of the eldest member of the group. Another custom is to gather together to celebrate the Spring Festival, where people bid farewell to the old and make way for the new.
Finally, and as expected, another tradition is the consumption of cherries. Due to their color, flavor and spherical shape, this fruit is one of the most popular gifts among families and friends in China, meaning good fortune and prosperity.
