Chinese New Year Traditions, Celebrations, and Good Luck Foods

Chinese New Year is a 15-day celebration that ushers in good luck, good health, and prosperity. The Chinese people embrace ancient traditions that focus on the family and include elaborate dragon parades accompanied by dance troupes and musicians.

In China, this celebratory time honoring the New Year is referred to as the Spring Festival and is the most important social holiday of the year. The Chinese people are granted a week-long hiatus to spend time visiting family and friends to share traditions and "good luck" foods to attract prosperity in the upcoming year.

In 2011, the Chinese New Year celebration begins on Thursday, February 3rd and ends on February 18th. During this time families and friends gather to share the traditional "surrounding the stove" dinner, pay respects to Taoist deities, and honor their ancestors.

Chinese New Year Celebrations

Customs, traditions, and New Year celebrations vary by region, but all embrace family activities. The focus is geared toward rituals believed to eliminate bad fortune and usher in good fortune.

The color of red is prevalent in Chinese New Year celebrations. People decorate doors and windows with bright red paper cut-outs and decorative ornaments. They give "lucky" red envelopes filled with trinkets, paper money, or coins to children to symbolize sharing their wealth. Chinese children wear new red clothes and shoes to attract happiness and joy.

The Chinese New Year Dragon Dance is a long-standing tradition that allows the Chinese people to express gratitude to dragon and invite good luck for the upcoming year. It is believed that the amount of good luck received is based on the length of the dragon, so communities compete with one another to see who can make the longest dragon.

According to legend, the dragon governs rainfall. By honoring the dragon with the traditional dance the country will be blessed with sufficient rain to maintain their crops. An abundance of crops will bring forth prosperity to the farmers and the community they serve.

The Dragon Dance includes dance troupes who carry images of dragons on poles which are swirled and twirled in the motion of a dragon walking down a mountain. Dancers are accompanied by musicians playing drums, cymbals and gongs.

The 15 Days of Chinese New Year

Each day of the Chinese New Year celebration serves a specific purpose. The Chinese people believe on the first day the Chinese New Year God carries their respects to the Jade Emperor. Meat is not consumed on the first day to ensure happiness and good health.

The second day is the celebration of dogs, as the Chinese believe this is the universal birthday for canines. Many people give dogs a special birthday cake made from canned dog food, rice, and vegetables and accompanied with a birthday candle. Cakes are fed to dogs with chopsticks and followed up with a fortune cookie.

Day two is also a day for daughters to spend time with their mother, father, and siblings and reconnect with relatives. Days three and four focus on son-in-laws offering respect to their in-laws through the presentation of gifts, foods, gratitude and loving attention.

On the fifth day, the Chinese people stay at home and do not interact with anyone residing outside their home. This day is known as Po Woo and is believed to bring bad luck to those who visit and those who are visited.

The sixth to tenth days are spent celebrating with relatives, friends, and neighbors to wish good luck and prosperity in the New Year. The Chinese people spend much time in prayer and visiting temples during this period of the Chinese New Year celebration.

During the eleventh and twelfth days, family and friends invite one another to their house to share celebratory meals. During the thirteenth day, Chinese eat choi sum, a dish consisting of mustard greens and rice, as a cleansing ritual.

The fourteenth day brings families and communities together to begin preparations for the Shang Yuan (Lantern) Festival.

The Lantern Festival is a joyous occasion that brings young and old together to watch the Dragon Dance, shoot off fireworks, play games, and indulge in rice balls and sweet dumplings. Families often make customized lanterns to display in their home and carry with them to the Lantern Festival.

Chinese New Year Foods

Throughout the celebration, families share bounties of food including pigs, ducks, dumplings, and desserts. Some of the most common dishes consumed through Chinese New Year festivities include: steamed dumplings, sesame chicken, chicken lo mein, spicy pork served over rice, egg foo yung, quick breads, and tea leaf eggs.

Year of the Rabbit

The year of the rabbit is said to be a year filled with good luck, security and peace. It is believed that those who focus on home life will be granted more good luck than those who do not.

It is also believed that making money will be nearly effortless thanks to rabbit energy. Considering the financial difficulties many have faced in previous years, I am certain this will be a welcome change for all.

To improve chances of good luck it is important to be careful in your actions, words, and what you eat. Prior to Chinese New Year's eve, thoroughly cleanse your home to remove negative energy and unwanted items. Focus on creating a stimulating home and work environment filled with positive energy that lifts your spirits and ignites your creativity.

Sources:
ChineseAstrology.com: 2011 Year of the Metal Rabbit
Chinese New Year Dragon Dance
Daily Traditions of Chinese New Year Festival
Chinese Lantern Craft Projects
Chinese Horoscopes for 2011