Chinese New Year is an event that is well celebrated by Chinese all over the world. The celebration is the most significant traditional Chinese holidays and the longest festivity in the Chinese Lunar Calendar. Statistically, during Chinese New Year known as Spring Festival, the Chinese communities hold parties to bid farewell to the past year and they welcome the New Year. During the Chinese New Year of 2016, I have witnessed the celebration with my friends. Particularly, I have experienced the celebration before the New Year’s Day. The Chinese community with their families made everything ready for the great event.
Before the New Year Eve, I observed that people were busy cleaning the house and everything inside the house. Chinese individuals believe that the complete cleaning the house signifies the removal of the old things and welcome the new things. When I asked my Chinese friend about the cleaning of the entire house before the New Year, he answered that it is one way to sweep way the ill fortune and to make way for the incoming good luck. Right after cleaning, I was amazed with all the decorations to welcome the New Year. Most of the decorations inside and outside the house, even on the street were red in color; especially the windows and doors were decorated with red couplets and paper cuts with the theme wealth, happiness, and long life. The most popular decorations were lanterns, dui lian, upside down fu, year paint, door gods, and paper cuttings.
At the New Year’s Eve dinner, it was the most significant dinner for the Chinese tradition. Normally, the dinner was the family reunion, especially for those families living away from home. Everyone was very happy greeting each other a happy new year and they were proud to share their culture and traditions. The younger ones greet the older relatives and friends. The food preparation was one of the best parts during dinner like fish and dumplings and other preferred dishes. I asked one of the Chinese visitors the significance of the food prepared, and then he explained that the dishes signify prosperity.
The fireworks are part of the Chinese New Year tradition. I witnessed the beautiful fireworks display and listened to the traditional songs. Right after 12 midnight on the New Year’s Eve, the fireworks were launched to celebrate the coming of the New Year. As a Chinese belief, the fireworks can drive away the evil spirit or elements. It is a belief that the individual who personally launched the first firework of the New Year will receive good luck and prosperity. After the New Year’s Eve, most of the family members stayed awake the entire night. However, some individuals just stayed up after the fireworks ended. According to the elders, they used to wear red clothes, launched fireworks, light fires, and stay awake because the mythical beast will attack during the Eve of the celebration.
Moreover, I noticed a red envelope with money in it and the Chinese named it, Red Packet. Usually, the red packets were given by adults, especially the elderly and married couples to younger children during the celebration. As a belief, the red packet will hold back the evil from the children, keep the children healthy, and provide them longevity. In addition, I noticed that most of the individuals were wearing beautiful dresses that I presumed new clothes. I would say that doing this tradition marked the start of new life, a new period of their lives. I was impressed how they follow all the traditional customs and beliefs.
I believe that the Chinese New Year is a great time for forgetting all grudges, to reconcile, and truly wish good health, peace, longevity, and happiness for everyone. Indeed, the Chinese culture is rich and its creative expressions. All the preparation, food, and ceremony are breathtaking. The celebration is a major holiday and it influences other people who join the celebration about the rich culture and tradition of the Chinese community.
Works Cited
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