EVEN if you do not have Chinese heritage or ancestry, many of the themes behind the Chinese New Year festival strongly resonate in Western society today.
China is an Eastern country where regional customs and traditions around the celebration vary. According to one legend, a mythical beast called the Nian would leave its home in the mountains and torment villagers in the middle of the night.
The hideous monster had sharp teeth and the face of a lion, and liked to eat livestock, people, and especially children.
One year, the frightened villagers decided to hide—all except for one. Yanhuang.
The old man said that he would not hide, but instead, seek revenge. And so he surrounded the town with red papers and lit firecrackers in the hope it would ward off the beast.
When the monster never returned, Yanhuang became known as a deity. Ever since, in celebration and recognition of his success, the Chinese New Year has featured loud noises such as drums and fire crackers, and of course, the colour red.
Another custom around Chinese New Year is the annual reunion dinner. Held on the eve of the new year, family members travel to share a meal with their loved ones. In the lead up to the occasion, Chinese families thoroughly clean their house to symbolically sweep away ill fortune and make way for good luck.
At 5am the next morning, firecrackers and incense are lit to ward off evil spirits, and throughout the day, many follow the tradition of only eating vegetarian food, and usually alongside noodles, as these symbolise the wish for a long life. Fruits that are round and golden in colour, such as oranges, are also eaten as these symbolise fullness and wealth.
Wearing new clothes during the festival is another custom, and these herald an auspicious future. Older married family members and friends often gift young unmarried couples and friends a red envelope containing money as a symbol of good luck and blessings.
The Chinese New Year also introduces a new Chinese zodiac sign. The traditional classification scheme assigns an animal and its attributes to every birth year on a 12-year cycle. This year it is the snake.
The snake is the sixth animal in the cycle, and those born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, and 2025 are associated with the creature. They are seen as mysterious, wise, good at talking, determined, and caring.
One of the most celebrated holidays worldwide, this year the Chinese New Year will fall on Wednesday, January 29, with festivities to continue for two weeks.
