Gong Xi Fa Cai! Or: How to Celebrate Chinese New Year Outside of China
Why do people eat dumplings for Chinese New Year? And what year is it according to the Chinese lunar calendar? A short guide to popular Chinese New Year traditions.
By Winnie Lui
As a Chinese child growing up in Canada, every year, I experienced something like a second Christmas.
After the warm festivities, feasting, and gift-receiving of Christmas time, after the excitement and countdown to New Year and several weeks after the tinsel and lights have faded–the mood would build up again. Soon, I would receive more gifts, this time cash in little red envelopes, and join more gatherings full of food and family.
It was like Christmas all over again.
It is Chinese New Year.
This year, I visited China several weeks before Chinese New Year, which is, officially, today. While I was in China, preparations for this most important time of the year were already underway. When I met others, a popular ice-breaking question was, “Are you going home for Chinese New Year?”
I will be home for Chinese New Year this year, but “home” is currently here in Canada. Yet there are some easy ways to commemorate Chinese New Year even outside of China:
1. Keeping the Spirit of Giving
One of the most iconic traditions of Chinese New Year is the giving of red envelopes stuffed with one or more paper bills, given from the older generation to the younger ones. When giving and receiving a red envelope, both parties may speak words of blessings to each another, usually in the form of four-word Chinese idioms. The spirit of giving can be preserved in ways other than passing out cash too. Food associated with Chinese New Year, such as mandarin oranges, dried fruit and candy with bright foil, can be wrapped in small bunches and given to family, friends and co-workers to wish them happiness and blessings in the coming year.
2. Eating Foods with Meaning
There are many foods traditionally associated with Chinese New Year, and it may be fun–and delicious–to have some around this time of year. In northern China, people eat dumplings or “jiao zi,” the shape of which resembles a gold ingot, a form of currency used in ancient China. In the south, people eat a sticky rice pudding called “nian gao,” the name which sounds like the words “higher year.” Other foods eaten at Chinese New Year that carry meaning are noodles (representing longevity) and fish (representing abundance).
3. Wearing New Clothes
Many traditional Chinese will buy a complete set of new clothes to wear on the first day of New Year. Wearing new clothes symbolizes a fresh and new start. Wearing red–the favourite color of Chinese tradition–is another way to be festive.
4. Cutting–and Not Cutting–One’s Hair
Many Chinese will get a haircut before New Year to complement their new outfit on New Year’s day. It is considered unlucky, however, to cut anything during New Year, so those who want to cut their hair must do so early.
5. Cleaning–and Not Cleaning–the House
Cleaning the home from top to bottom is a popular way to welcome in the New Year, and to prepare your house for all the visitors who will drop by to bring well-wishes. Sweeping during New Year, however, is supposed to sweep away the good luck, so brooms are carefully put away during the New Year period.
6. Wishing People “Happy New Year” in Chinese
Chinese people greet one another with “gung hey fat choi” (Cantonese) or “gong xi fa cai” (Mandarin),” which literally means, “Wishing you a financially prosperous year.”
Another greeting is, “sun leen fai lok (Cantonese) or “xin nian kuai le” (Mandarin), which simply means, “Happy New Year.”
About Chinese New Year:
The Chinese have their own calendar, which follows the moon. Chinese New Year happens every year between January 21 and February 21, on the day of the first new moon, which is the darkest day. Celebrations run for 15 days, until the full moon appears. According to the Chinese lunar calendar, we are entering year 4710.
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