Chinese New Year
chinese new year spring festival see also § name festival celebrates beginning new year traditional lunisolar chinese calendar marking end winter beginning spring observance traditionally take place chinese new year eve evening preceding first day year lantern festival held th day year first day chinese new year begin new moon appears january february chinese new year one important holiday chinese culture influenced similar celebration culture commonly referred collectively lunar new year losar tibet tết vietnam korean new year ryukyu new year also celebrated worldwide region country house significant overseas chinese sinophone population especially southeast asia include singapore brunei cambodia indonesia malaysia myanmar philippine thailand vietnam also prominent beyond asia especially australia canada france mauritius new zealand peru south africa united kingdom united state well many european country chinese new year associated several myth custom festival traditionally time honour deity well ancestor within china regional custom tradition concerning celebration new year vary widely evening preceding new year day frequently regarded occasion chinese family gather annual reunion dinner also tradition every family thoroughly clean house order sweep away ill fortune make way incoming good luck another practised custom decoration window door red papercuts couplet popular theme among papercuts couplet include good fortune happiness wealth longevity activity include lighting firecracker giving money red envelope chinese festival commonly known spring festival traditional chinese 春節 simplified chinese 春节 pinyin chūnjié spring season lunisolar calendar traditionally start lichun first twentyfour solar term festival celebrates around time chinese new year name first proposed yuan shikai time interim president republic china official usage name spring festival retained government people republic china government republic china based taiwan since adopted name traditional chinese new year festival also called lunar new year english despite traditional chinese calendar lunisolar lunar however chinese new year still commonlyused translation people nonchinese background along han chinese inside outside greater china many ethnic minority group china also celebrate chinese new year korea vietnam singapore malaysia indonesia philippine celebrate official festival chinese calendar defines lunisolar month containing winter solstice eleventh month meaning chinese new year usually fall second new moon winter solstice rarely third intercalary month occurs per cent year chinese new year closest new moon beginning spring lichun according calendar gregorian calendar chinese new year occurs new moon fall january february according legend chinese new year started mythical beast called nian beast life sea mountain annual spring festival nian would eat villager especially child middle night one year villager decided hide beast older man appeared villager went hiding said would stay night would get revenge nian old man put red paper set firecracker day villager came back town saw nothing destroyed assumed old man deity came save villager understood yanhuang discovered nian afraid color red loud noise tradition grew new year approaching villager would wear red clothes hang red lantern red spring scroll window door used firecracker drum frighten away nian nian never came village nian eventually captured hongjun laozu ancient taoist monk new year celebration established ancient chinese gathered celebrated end harvest autumn however midautumn festival chinese gathered family worship moon classic poetry poem written western zhou bc – bc anonymous farmer described tradition celebrating th month ancient solar calendar autumn according poem time people clean milletstack site toast guest mijiu rice wine kill lamb cook meat go master home toast master cheer prospect living long together thmonth celebration believed one prototype chinese new year record first chinese new year celebration traced warring state period – bc lüshi chunqiu qin state exorcism ritual expel illness called big nuo recorded carried last day year later qin unified china qin dynasty founded ritual spread evolved practice cleaning one house thoroughly day preceding chinese new year first mention celebrating start new year recorded han dynasty bc – ad book simin yueling 四民月令 written eastern han agronomist cui shi 崔寔 celebration described starting day first month called zheng ri bring wife child worship ancestor commemorate father later wrote child wife grandchild greatgrandchildren serve pepper wine parent make toast wish parent good health thriving view practice worshipping ancestor new year eve maintained chinese people day han chinese also started custom visiting acquaintance home wishing happy new year book later han volume county officer recorded going prefect house government secretary toasting prefect praising prefect merit jin dynasty – people started new year eve tradition allnight revelry called shousui 守歲 described western jin general zhou chus article fengtu ji 風土記 note local condition ending year people gift wish calling kuisui 饋歲 time gift people invited others drink food calling biesui 別歲 sending year new year eve people stayed night sunrise calling shousui 守歲 guard year article used phrase chuxi 除夕 indicate new year eve—a phrase still used today northern southern dynasty book jingchu suishiji describes practice firing bamboo early morning new year day new year tradition ancient chinese poet chancellor tang dynasty lai gu also described tradition poem early spring 早春 新曆才將半紙開，小亭猶聚爆竿灰 meaning another new year started half opening paper family gathered around dust exploded bamboo pole practice used ancient chinese people scare away evil spirit since bamboo would noisily crack explode firing tang dynasty people established custom sending bai nian tie 拜年帖 new year greeting new year greeting card said custom started emperor taizong tang emperor wrote 普天同慶 whole nation celebrates together gold leaf sent minister word emperor gesture spread later became custom people general used xuan paper instead gold leaf another theory bai nian tie derived han dynasty name tag men zhuang 門狀 door opening imperial examination became essential reached heyday tang dynasty candidate curried favour become pupil respected teacher order get recommendation letter obtaining good examination mark pupil went teacher home men zhuang convey gratitude eventually men zhuang became symbol good luck people started sending friend new year day calling new name bai nian tie chunlian spring couplet written meng chang emperor later shu – ad five dynasty ten kingdom period：新年納餘慶，嘉節號長春 enjoying past legacy new year holiday foreseeing longlasting spring described song dynasty official zhang tangying book shu tao wu volume day new year eve emperor ordered scholar xin yinxun write couplet peach wood hang emperor bedroom door believed placing couplet door home day preceding new year widespread song dynasty famous northern song politician litterateur philosopher poet wang anshi recorded custom poem 元日 new year day poem yuan ri 元日 also includes word bao zhu 爆竹 exploding bamboo believed reference firecracker instead previous tradition firing bamboo called chinese language gunpowder invented tang dynasty widely used song dynasty people modified tradition firing bamboo filling bamboo pole gunpowder made louder explosion later song people discarded bamboo started use paper wrap gunpowder cylinder imitation bamboo firecracker still called bao zhu 爆竹 thus equating new old tradition also recorded people linked firecracker hemp rope created bian pao 鞭炮 gunpowder whip song dynasty bao zhu 爆竹 bian pao 鞭炮 still used today celebrate chinese new year festive occasion also song dynasty people started give money child celebration new year money called sui nian qian 随年钱 money based age chapter ending year 歲除 wulin jiushi 武林舊事 concubine emperor prepared hundred twenty coin prince princess wish longevity new year celebration continued yuan dynasty people also gave nian gao 年糕 year cake relative tradition eating chinese dumpling jiaozi 餃子 established ming dynasty latest described book youzhongzhi 酌中志 people get morning new year day burn incense light firecracker throw door latch wooden bar air three time drink pepper thuja wine eat dumpling sometimes put one two silver currency inside dumpling whoever get money attain year fortune modern chinese people also put food auspicious dumpling date prophesy flourishing new year candy predicts sweet day nian gao 年糕 year cake foretells rich life qing dynasty name ya sui qian 壓歲錢 new year money money given child new year book qing jia lu 清嘉錄 recorded elder give child coin threaded together red string money called ya sui qian term still used chinese people today money presented two form coin strung red string colourful purse filled coin ruling kuomintang party decreed chinese new year would fall jan gregorian calendar abandoned due overwhelming opposition cultural revolution official chinese new year celebration banned china state council people republic china announced public change custom revolutionized fighting spring festival since people needed work chinese new year eve would need holiday spring festival traditional chinese new year celebration reinstated chinese new year observed public holiday country territory sizeable chinese population since chinese new year fall different day week year government opt shift working day order accommodate longer public holiday country statutory holiday added following work day new year public holiday fall weekend case new year eve february fall saturday new year day february sunday depending country holiday may termed differently common name english chinese new year lunar new year new year festival spring festival new year celebration follow chineseinspired calendar outside china chinese diaspora korea seollal vietnam tết see article lunar new year country region chinese new year celebrated official holiday see table red couplet red lantern displayed door frame light atmosphere air filled strong chinese emotion store beijing shanghai wuhan city product traditional chinese style started lead fashion trend buy chinesestyle coat get kid tigerhead hat shoe decorate home beautiful red chinese knot authentic chinesestyle spring festival festival people around china prepare different gourmet dish family guest influenced flourished culture food different place look taste totally different among wellknown one dumpling northern china tangyuan southern china eighth day lunisolar month prior chinese new year laba festival traditional porridge laba porridge simplified chinese 腊八粥 traditional chinese 臘八粥 pinyin làbā zhōu served remembrance ancient festival called la occurred shortly winter solstice pickle laba garlic turn green vinegar also made day practice buddhism laba holiday also considered bodhi day layue simplified chinese 腊月 traditional chinese 臘月 pinyin làyuè term often associated chinese new year refers sacrifice held honour god twelfth lunisolar month hence cured meat chinese new year known larou simplified chinese 腊肉 traditional chinese 臘肉 pinyin làròu porridge prepared woman household first light first bowl offered family ancestor household deity every member family served bowl leftover distributed relative friend still served special breakfast day chinese home concept la month similar advent christianity many family eat vegetarian chinese new year eve garlic preserved meat eaten chinese new year day day immediately new year celebration chinese family give home thorough cleaning cantonese saying wash away dirt nin ya baat chinese 年廿八，洗邋遢 pinyin nián niàn bā xǐ lātà jyutping nin jaa baat sai laap taap laat taat practice restricted nin ya baat th day month believed cleaning sweep away bad luck preceding year make home ready good luck broom dust pan put away first day newly arrived good luck cannot swept away people give home door windowframes new coat red paint decorator paperhanger yearend rush business prior chinese new year home often decorated paper cutout chinese auspicious phrase couplet purchasing new clothing shoe also symbolize new start hair cut need completed new year cutting hair new year considered bad luck due homonymic nature word hair fa word prosperity business expected pay debt outstanding year new year eve extending debt gratitude thus common practice send gift rice close business associate extended family member many household buddhism taoism observed home altar statue cleaned thoroughly decoration used adorn altar past year taken burned week new year start little new year replaced new decoration taoist buddhist lesser extent also send god back heaven chinese 送神 pinyin sòngshén example would burning paper effigy kitchen god recorder family function done kitchen god report jade emperor family household transgression good deed family often offer sweet food candy order bribe deity reporting good thing family prior reunion dinner prayer thanksgiving held mark safe passage previous year confucianist take opportunity remember ancestor lived revered people give buddhist prayer due influence christianity christian prayer offered instead day chinese new year usually accompanied dinner feast consisting special meat main course offering new year meal comparable thanksgiving dinner christmas dinner northern china customary make jiaozi dumpling eaten midnight dumpling symbolize wealth shape resembles chinese sycee south customary make glutinous new year cake niangao send piece gift relative friend coming day family visit local temple hour midnight pray success lighting first incense year today many household hold party traditionally firecracker lit ward evil spirit household door sealed reopened dawn ritual called opening door fortune simplified chinese 开财门 traditional chinese 開財門 pinyin kāicáimén tradition staying late chinese new year eve known shousui chinese 守岁 still practised believed add parental longevity first day known spring festival simplified chinese 春节 traditional chinese 春節 welcoming deity heaven earth midnight traditional practice light firework burn bamboo stick firecracker lion dance troupe done commonly tradition ward evil spirit typical action lighting fire using knife considered taboo thus consumable food cooked prior using broom swearing breaking dinnerware without appeasing deity also considered taboo normal tradition occurring first day involve house gathering family specifically elder family oldest senior member extended family usually parent grandparent greatgrandparents trading mandarin orange courtesy symbolize wealth good luck member family married also give red envelope containing cash known lai see cantonese 利事 angpow hokkien teochew hongbao mandarin 红包 form blessing suppress ageing challenge associated coming year junior member family mostly child teenager business manager may also give bonus form red packet employee money form specifically number ending mandarin ba 八 sound similar fa mandarin 发 meaning prosperity packet denomination odd unlucky number packet without money usually allowed due bad luck number especially unlucky sounded si mandarin 死 mean death firework firecracker traditionally popular region banned due concern fire hazard reason various city government eg kowloon beijing shanghai number year issued ban firework firecracker certain precinct city substitute largescale firework display launched government hong kong singapore second day entitled year beginning simplified chinese 开年 traditional chinese 開年 pinyin kāinián oversees married daughter visiting birth parent relative close friend often renew family tie relationship traditionally married daughter didnt opportunity visit birth family frequently second day also saw giving offering money sacrifice god wealth chinese 财神 symbolize rewarding time hardship preceding year day imperial china beggar unemployed people circulated family family carrying picture god wealth shouting cai shen dao god wealth come householder would respond lucky money reward messenger business people cantonese dialect group hold hoi nin prayer start business second day chinese new year blessing business strive coming year day believed birthday che kung deity worshipped hong kong worshipper go che kung temple pray blessing representative government asks che kung city fortune kau cim third day known red mouth chinese 赤口 pinyin chìkǒu chikou also called chigous day chinese 赤狗日 pinyin chìgǒurì chigou literally red dog epithet god blazing wrath chinese 熛怒之神 pinyin biāo nù zhī shén rural villager continue tradition burning paper offering trash fire considered unlucky day guest go visiting hakka villager rural hong kong called day poor devil believed everyone stay home also considered propitious day visit temple god wealth one future told community celebrate chinese new year day fourth day corporate spring dinner kick business return normal area longer chinese new year holiday celebrate welcome god previously sent day day god wealth birthday northern china people eat jiaozi dumpling morning powu chinese 破五 pinyin pòwǔ taiwan business traditionally reopen next day sixth day accompanied firecracker also common china th day people shoot firecracker get guan yus attention thus ensuring favour good fortune new year sixth day horse day people drive away ghost poverty throwing garbage stored festival way vary basically meaning—to drive away ghost poverty reflects general desire chinese people ring old ring new send away previous poverty hardship usher good life new year seventh day traditionally known renri common person birthday day everyone grows one year older overseas chinese community southeast asia malaysia singapore also day tossed raw fish salad yusheng eaten continued wealth prosperity many chinese buddhist another day avoid meat seventh day commemorating birth sakra lord devas buddhist cosmology analogous jade emperor another family dinner held celebrate eve birth jade emperor ruler heaven people normally return work eighth day therefore store owner host lunchdinner employee thanking employee work done whole year ninth day traditionally known birthday jade emperor heaven chinese 玉皇 pinyin yù huáng many people offered prayer taoist pantheon thanks gratitude commonly known called ti kong dan chinese 天公誕 pe̍hōejī thiⁿkong tan ti kong si chinese 天公生 pe̍hōejī thiⁿkong siⁿthiⁿkong seⁿ pai ti kong chinese 拜天公 pe̍hōejī pài thiⁿkong especially important hokkiens prominent requisite offering sugarcane legend hold hokkien spared massacre japanese pirate hiding sugarcane plantation eighth ninth day chinese new year coinciding jade emperor birthday sugarcane chinese 甘蔗 pe̍hōejī kamchià near homonym thank chinese 感謝 pe̍hōejī kámsiā hokkien dialect morning traditionally anytime midnight taiwanese household set altar table three layer one top containing offertory six vegetable chinese 六齋 pinyin liù zhāi noodle fruit cake tangyuan vegetable bowl unripe betel decorated paper lantern two lower level five sacrifice wine honour deity jade emperor household kneel three time kowtow nine time pay obeisance wish long life incense tea fruit vegetarian food roast pig gold paper served customary protocol paying respect honoured person nation celebrates jade emperor birthday day fifteenth day new year celebrated lantern festival also known yuanxiao festival simplified chinese 元宵节 traditional chinese 元宵節 pinyin yuán xiāo jié shangyuan festival simplified chinese 上元节 traditional chinese 上元節 pinyin shàng yuán jié chap goh meh chinese 十五暝 pe̍hōejī cha̍pgō͘mê lit fifteen night hokkien rice dumpling tangyuan simplified chinese 汤圆 traditional chinese 湯圓 pinyin tang yuán sweet glutinous rice ball brewed soup eaten day candle lit outside house way guide wayward spirit home family may walk street carrying lantern sometimes riddle attached written tradition china malaysia day celebrated individual seeking romantic partner akin valentine day nowadays single woman write contact number mandarin orange throw river lake single men collect orange eat taste indication possible love sweet represents good fate sour represents bad fate day often mark end chinese new year festivity reunion dinner held new year eve family member gather celebration venue usually near home senior member family new year eve dinner large sumptuous traditionally includes dish meat namely pork chicken fish reunion dinner also feature communal hot pot believed signify coming together family member meal reunion dinner particularly southern region also prominently feature specialty meat eg waxcured meat like duck chinese sausage seafood eg lobster abalone usually reserved special occasion remainder year area fish simplified chinese 鱼 traditional chinese 魚 pinyin yú included eaten completely remainder stored overnight chinese phrase may surplus every year simplified chinese 年年有余 traditional chinese 年年有餘 pinyin niánnián yǒu yú sound let fish every year eight individual dish served reflect belief good fortune associated number previous year death experienced family seven dish served traditional food consist noodle fruit dumpling spring roll tangyuan also known sweet rice ball dish served chinese new year represents something special noodle used make longevity noodle usually thin long wheat noodle noodle longer normal noodle usually fried served plate boiled served bowl broth noodle symbolize wish long life fruit typically selected would orange tangerine pomelo round golden color symbolizing fullness wealth lucky sound spoken also brings good luck fortune chinese pronunciation orange 橙 chéng sound chinese success 成 one way spell tangerine桔 jú contains chinese character luck 吉 jí pomelo believed bring constant prosperity pomelo chinese 柚 yòu sound similar 有 yǒu disregarding tone however sound exactly like 又 yòu dumpling spring roll symbolize wealth whereas sweet rice ball symbolize family togetherness red packet immediate family sometimes distributed reunion dinner packet contain money amount reflects good luck honorability several food consumed usher wealth happiness good fortune several chinese food name homophone word also mean good thing many family china still follow tradition eating vegetarian food first day new year believed bring good luck life whole year like many new year dish certain ingredient also take special precedence others ingredient also similarsounding name prosperity good luck even counting money traditionally red envelope red packet traditional chinese 紅包 simplified chinese 红包 mandarin pinyin hóngbāo hokkien pe̍hōejī ângpau hakka pha̍kfasṳ fùngpâu alternatively known lai see particularly cantonese speaking area chinese 利是 利市 利事 cantonese yale laih sih pinyin lìshì passed chinese new year celebration married couple elderly unmarried junior child period red packet also known yasuiqian 壓歲錢 压岁钱 yāsuìqián evolved homophonous phrase yasuiqian 壓祟錢 压祟钱 yāsuìqián literally meaning money suppress evil spirit according legend demon named sui patted child head three time new year eve child would fever parent wrapped coin red paper placed next childrens pillow sui came flash coin scared away every new year eve parent wrap coin red paper protect child red packet almost always contain money usually varying couple dollar several hundred chinese superstition favour amount begin even number 八 pinyin bā homophone wealth 六 pinyin liù homophone smooth—but number 四 pinyin sì homophone death considered unlucky asian culture odd number also avoided associated cash given funeral 帛金 pinyin báijīn also customary bill placed inside red envelope new act asking red packet mandarin 討紅包 tǎo hóngbāo cantonese 逗利是 dauh laih sih wouldnt turned married person would mean would luck new year red packet generally given married couple younger nonmarried member family custom polite child wish elder happy new year year happiness health good fortune accepting red envelope red envelope kept pillow slept seven night chinese new year opening symbolizes good luck fortune taiwan employer also gave red packet bonus maid nurse domestic worker southeast asian country although whether appropriate controversial mids chinese messaging apps wechat popularized distribution red envelope virtual format via mobile payment usually within group chat estimated billion virtual red envelope would sent new year holiday mythology ancient time monster named sui 祟 come new year eve touch head sleeping child child frightened touch wake fever fever eventually cause child intellectual disability hence family light home stay awake leading tradition shou sui 守祟 guard sui harming child folklore tale sui elderly couple precious son night new year eve since afraid sui would come took eight piece copper coin play son order keep awake son sleepy however let go sleep placing red paper bag containing copper coin child pillow two older child also stayed whole night suddenly door window blown open strange wind even candlelight extinguished turned sui sui going reach touch child head pillow suddenly brightened golden light sui scared away exorcism effect red paper wrapped copper money spread past china see also chinese numismatic charm money called ya sui qian 壓歲錢 money suppress sui another tale huge demon terrorizing village nobody village able defeat demon many warrior statesman tried luck young orphan stepped armed magical sword inherited ancestor battled demon eventually killing peace finally restored village elder presented brave young man red envelope filled money repay young orphan courage ridding village demon addition red envelope usually given older people younger people small gift usually food sweet also exchanged friend relative different household chinese new year gift usually brought visiting friend relative home common gift include fruit typically orange never trade pear cake biscuit chocolate candy gift preferred wrapped red golden paper symbolizes good luck certain item given considered taboo taboo gift include item associated funeral ie handkerchief towel chrysanthemum item coloured white black item show time running ie clock watch sharp object symbolize cutting tie ie scissors knife item symbolize want walk away relationship example shoe sandal mirror homonym unpleasant topic example clock sound like funeral ritual end life green hat wear green hat sound like cuckold handkerchief sound like goodbye pear sound like separate umbrella sound like disperse shoe sound like rough year market village fair set new year approaching usually openair market feature new year related product flower toy clothing even firework firecracker convenient people buy gift new year visit well home decoration place practice shopping perfect plum tree dissimilar western tradition buying christmas tree bamboo stem filled gunpowder burnt create small explosion used ancient china drive away evil spirit modern time method eventually evolved use firecracker festive season firecracker usually strung long fused string hung firecracker rolled red paper red auspicious gunpowder core ignited firecracker let loud popping noise usually strung together hundred firecracker known deafening explosion thought scare away evil spirit burning firecracker also signifies joyful time year become integral aspect chinese new year celebration since firecracker banned various country town happy new year chinese 新年好呀 pinyin xīn nián hǎo ya popular childrens song new year holiday melody similar american folk song oh darling clementine another popular chinese new year song gong xi gong xi chinese 恭喜恭喜！ pinyin gongxi gongxi watching chinese new year film expression chinese cultural identity new year holiday stage bos gather popular actor various troupe let perform repertory qing dynasty nowadays many people celebrate new year watching movie hong kong filmmaker also release chinese new year film mostly comedy time year color red commonly worn throughout chinese new year traditional belief held red could scare away evil spirit wearing new clothes another clothing custom festival new clothes symbolize new beginning year place taking family portrait important ceremony relative gathered photo taken hall house taken front house senior male head family sits center culture chinese new year tradition incorporate element symbolic deeper meaning one common example chinese new year symbolism red diamondshaped fu character chinese 福 pinyin fú cantonese yale fūk lit blessing happiness displayed entrance chinese home sign usually seen hanging upside since chinese word upside 倒 dào homophonous nearly homophonous word arrive 到 dào variety chinese therefore symbolizes arrival luck happiness prosperity character may include 壽 shòu 萬 wàn 寶 bǎo 財 cái cantonesespeaking people fu sign hung upside implied dao upside sound like cantonese word pour producing pour luck away would usually symbolize bad luck fu character usually hung upsidedown cantonese community red predominant color used new year celebration red emblem joy color also symbolizes virtue truth sincerity chinese opera stage painted red face usually denotes sacred loyal personage sometimes great emperor candy cake decoration many thing associated new year ceremony coloured red sound chinese word red pinyin hóng cantonese yale húng mandarin homophonous word prosperous therefore red auspicious color auspicious sound according chinese tradition year pig generally unlucky year public need reevaluate decision reach conclusion however help get even control life learn stay ahead everything cautious nianhua form chinese coloured woodblock printing decoration chinese new year nianhua us range subject express invite positive prospect new year begin popular representative prospect take inspiration nature religion folklore etc portrayed flashy lively way following popular floral decoration new year available new year market flower symbolic meaning many chinese people believe may usher value represents general except lucky colour like red yellow chrysanthemum put home new year normally used ancestral veneration traditionally family gather together chinese new year modern china migrant worker china travel home reunion dinner family chinese new year eve owing large number interprovincial traveller special arrangement made railway bus airline starting day new year day day period called chunyun known world largest annual migration interurban trip taken china period total population china taiwan spring travel also major event majority transportation western taiwan north–south direction longdistance travel urbanized north hometown rural south transportation eastern taiwan taiwan island less convenient crossstrait flight taiwan china began part three link mostly taiwanese businessmen return taiwan new year chinese new year also celebrated annually many country house significant chinese population include country throughout asia oceania north america sydney london san francisco claim host largest new year celebration outside asia south america japan chinese new year national public holiday many southeast asian country considered one important holiday year malaysia chinese new year eve typically halfday holiday malaysia chinese new year twoday public holiday george town chinesemajority city known lively chinese new year celebration last lantern festival fifteenth day kek lok si largest buddhist temple southeast asia typically lit throughout festivity penangs chief minister customarily host open house public various event take place across city including chinese clan house snake temple hokkien household celebrate jade emperor birthday known colloquially hokkien new year ninth day offering traditionally lantern festival single female throw orange seafront location like esplanade hope finding partner singapore singapore chinese new year officially twoday public holiday chinese new year accompanied various festive activity one main highlight chinatown celebration included festive street bazaar nightly staged show kreta ayer square lion dance competition chingay parade also feature prominently celebration annual street parade singapore well known colourful float wide variety cultural performance highlight parade include fire party multiethnic performance unprecedented travelling dance competition philippine philippine chinese new year philippine hokkien chinese 咱人年兜 pe̍hōejī lánnâng nîtau considered one important festival chinese filipino celebration also extended majority nonchinese filipino especially since chinese new year included public regular nonworking holiday philippine time year selling giving tikoy especially chinese filipino widely known practised country celebration centered primarily binondo manila oldest ever chinatown world celebration key city manila celebrates spring festival wooden dragon including th anniversary manila chinatown featuring manila chinatown solidarity float parade along manila central post office lawton ermita jones bridge led ambassador huang xilian mr m chinatown philippine winner preceded chinese new year eve first incense offering binondo church taoism prayer ritual joss stick including chinese ancestor worship martyr saint china altar binondo chinese parish church midnight minute pyromusical firework witnessed million chinesefilipino friendship bridge cebu also celebrating festival called red lantern festival indonesia indonesia chinese new year officially named tahun baru imlek chinese 陰曆新年 pe̍hōejī imle̍k sinnî imlek deriving hokkien word lunar calendar chinese 陰曆 pe̍hōejī imle̍k known locally hokkien sin cia chinese 新正 pe̍hōejī sinchiaⁿ celebrated one official national religious holiday chinese indonesian since june january government regulation signed president sukarno june unofficially celebrated ethnic chinese based government regulation signed vicepresident muhammad hatta february annul previous regulation among others chinese new year national religious holiday effectively december spiritual practice celebrate chinese new year chinese family restricted specifically inside chinese house restriction made new order government presidential instruction signed president suharto restriction ended regime changed president suharto overthrown celebration conducted unofficially chinese community january president abdurrahman wahid issued presidential decree annul previous instruction january ministry religious affair issued minsterial decree imlek day national holiday set hari tahun baru imlek facultative holiday chinese community presidential decree officially declared one day public religious holiday april president megawati indonesian government authorize first day chinese new year public religious holiday specifically designated chinese people indonesia first day chinese new year recognized part celebration chinese religion tradition chinese community official unofficial chinese new year public holiday remaining day celebrated ethnic chinese family indonesia chinese year named year kǒngzǐ chinese 孔子 kongzili indonesian every year ministry religious affair set specific date religious holiday based input religious leader chinese new year national religious holiday indonesia enacted specifically presidential decree case presidential decree dated april celebration chinese new year religious holiday specifically intended chinese people indonesia tradisi masyarakat cina yang dirayakan secara turun temurun di berbagai wilayah di indonesia dan umat agama tionghoa intended celebrated native indonesian city significant chinese population indonesia include jakarta medan batam surabaya semarang surakarta singkawang pangkal pinang binjai bagansiapiapi tanjungbalai pematangsiantar selat panjang pekanbaru tanjung pinang ketapang pontianak sungailiat tanjung pandan manggar toboali muntok lubuk pakam bandung rantau prapat tebing tinggi sibolga dumai panipahan bagan batu tanjung balai karimun jambi palembang bengkayang manado tangerang always new year celebration every year parade firework lot shopping mall decorated building lantern chinese word lion dragon red gold main colour lion dance common sight around chinese house temple shophouses usually buddhist confucian taoist chinese burn big incense made aloeswood dragondecorated front house chinese temple open hour first day also distributes red envelope sometimes rice fruit sugar poor around thailand chinese new year festivity occur throughout country especially province many people chinese descent live nakhon sawan suphan buri phuket observed thai chinese part private sector festival usually celebrated three day starting day chinese new year eve chinese new year observed public holiday province narathiwat pattani yala satun songkhla year one year government declared chinese new year government holiday applied mostly civil servant financial institution private business allowed decide whether observe divided day first day wan chai thai วันจ่าย pay day meaning day people go shop offering second day wan wai thai วันไหว้ worship day day worshiping god ancestral spirit divided three period dawn late morning afternoon third day wan tieow thai วันเที่ยว holiday holiday everyone leave house travel bless relative respectable people often wearing red clothes believed bring auspiciousness life capital bangkok large celebration chinatown yaowarat road main road closed turn pedestrian street member royal family attendance year open ceremony princess maha chakri sirindhorn one largest chinese population outside asia sydney also claim largest chinese new year celebration outside asia people attending celebration chinatown annually event span three week including launch celebration outdoor market evening street food stall chinese top opera performance dragon boat race film festival multiple parade incorporate chinese japanese korean vietnamese people people attend notably main parade performer festival also attracts international medium coverage reaching million viewer asia festival sydney organized partnership different chinese province year apart sydney state capital city australia also celebrate chinese new year due large number chinese resident city include brisbane adelaide melbourne box hill perth common activity lion dance dragon dance new year market food festival melbourne suburb footscray victoria lunar new year celebration initially focusing vietnamese new year expanded celebration chinese new year well april new year celebration thai cambodian laotian asian australian community celebrate new year either januaryfebruary april city wellington host twoday weekend festival chinese new year oneday festival held dunedin centred city chinese garden many city north america sponsor official parade chinese new year among city parade new york city manhattan flushing queen brooklyn san francisco los angeles boston chicago mexico city toronto vancouver however even smaller city historically connected chinese immigration butte montana recently hosted parade new york new york city multiple group new york city cooperate sponsor weeklong chinese new year celebration festivity include cultural festival music concert firework hudson river near chinese consulate special exhibit one key celebration chinese new year parade float firework taking place along street chinatown manhattan largest chinese new year parade outside asia june new york city mayor bill de blasio declared lunar new year would made public school holiday september new york state made lunar new year mandatory public school holiday california signed law effective california declared lunar new year state government holiday many community throughout california celebrate large celebration taking place bay area greater los angeles well fresno sacramento san diego santa rosa stockton san francisco san francisco chinese new year festival parade oldest one largest event kind outside asia one largest asian cultural event north america festival incorporates grant kearny street street festival parade route respectively use street trace lineage back early parade beginning custom san francisco discovery gold ensuing california gold rush people come san francisco seek fortune better way life among many chinese come work gold mine railroad resident san franciscos chinatown eager share culture fellow san francisco resident may unfamiliar hostile towards organizer chose showcase culture using favourite american tradition – parade invited variety group city participate marched today grant avenue kearny street carrying colourful flag banner lantern drum firecracker drive away evil spirit san francisco unit participate annual chinese new year parade held since parade attended people along another million tv viewer greater los angeles golden dragon parade happened annually chinatown los angeles since one oldest largest chinese new year parade outside asia beginning famous asian american actor held title grand marshall parade first bruce lee around southern california many community also put festival parade last multiple day largest occurring san gabriel valley home largest chinese community outside asia often called first suburban chinatown little saigon many vietnamese chinese live monterey park put largest festival occupying block city attracting individual neighboring alhambra also hosted large festival since many performance street vendor san gabriel host annual chinese gala san gabriel mission playhouse addition street festival little saigon area hosted tet celebrates since chinese vietnamese community originally held garden grove park parade garden grove westminster starting larger celebration also held orange county fair event center costa mesa attracts visitor neighboring fountain valley also host annual chinese new year carnival mile square regional park many food vendor ferris wheel many people also celebrate going temple across southern california largest temple celebration held hsi lai temple hacienda height major shopping mall also decorate chinese new year disneyland california adventure anaheim celebrates chinese new year decorating certain area park chinese display serving speciality east asian food allowing character photo mulan mushu raya tigger mickey minnie mouse chinese costume community hold chinese new year celebration include eastvale hollywood irvine palos verdes pasadena rancho cucamonga riverside rosemead san marino san pedro santa monica temple city tustin west covina united kingdom london celebration take place chinatown leicester square trafalgar square festivity include parade cultural feast firework concert performance celebration attracts people yearly according organiser france paris celebration held since several district one month many performance main three parade group performer attended alone people th arrondissement netherlands official celebration held hague amsterdam rotterdam hungary budapest celebration held since kőbánya district many performance parade many celebrate festival chinatown kolkata india significant community people chinese origin exists kolkata chinese new year celebrated lion dragon dance pakistan chinese new year also celebrated among sizeable chinese expatriate community life country festival chinese embassy islamabad arranges various cultural event pakistani art cultural organization member civil society also participate chinese culture mauritius important component multiculturalism mauritius despite small size sinomauritian community estimated total population chinese new year also known chinese spring festival time chinese culture celebrated island public holiday mauritius mauritius also country africa list chinese spring festival statutory public holiday period year joyful festive atmosphere throughout entire country sinomauritians attached chinese tradition chinese spring festival biggest celebration sinomauritians island date celebration follows chinese lunisolar calendar instead gregorian calendar week prior new year day spring cleaning home performedthe festival start chinese new year eve lighting firecracker ward evil spirit traditionalist visit pagoda offer offering prayer new year eve following chinese custom big family dinner new year eve family dinner traditionally celebrated house oldest family parent going restaurant new year eve getting popular restaurant may also special dinner across island foster family reunion sinomauritians new year eve dinner youth often go nightclub day chinese new year customary sinomauritian share niangao relative friend light firecracker ward evil spirit red envelope also given family would also visit pagoda new year honour ancestor family observe vegetarian diet new year main celebration event typically take place chinatown area port louis capital mauritius dragon dance southern lion dance also customary day colour red predominantly used decorate street house chinese item eg chinese lantern also used decoration chinese new year often accompanied loud enthusiastic greeting often referred 吉祥話 jíxiánghuà mandarin 吉利說話 kat lei seut wa cantonese loosely translated auspicious word phrase new year couplet printed gold letter bright red paper referred chunlian 春聯 fai chun 揮春 another way expressing auspicious new year wish probably predate ming dynasty – become widespread today ubiquitous chinese new year common greeting include xin nian kuai le san nin fai lok simplified chinese 新年快乐 traditional chinese 新年快樂 pinyin xīnniánkuàilè jyutping san nin faai lok pe̍hōejī sinnî khòailo̍k hakka sin ngen kai lok taishanese slin nen fai lok contemporary greeting reflective western influence literally translates greeting happy new year common west written english xin nian kuai le northern part china traditionally people say simplified chinese 过年好 traditional chinese 過年好 pinyin guònián hǎo instead simplified chinese 新年快乐 traditional chinese 新年快樂 xīnniánkuàile differentiate international new year 過年好 guònián hǎo used first day fifth day chinese new year however 過年好 guònián hǎo considered short therefore somewhat discourteous gong xi fa cai gong hei fat choi simplified chinese 恭喜发财 traditional chinese 恭喜發財 pinyin gōngxǐfācái hokkien kiong hee huat chai poj kionghí hoatchâi cantonese gung hei faat coi hakka gung hee fatt choi loosely translates congratulation prosperous spelled varyingly english gung hay fat choy gong hey fat choi kung hei fat choy often mistakenly assumed synonymous happy new year saying commonly heard english speaking community greeting chinese new year part world sizeable chinesespeaking community including overseas chinese community resident several generation relatively recent immigrant greater china transit migrant particularly student numerous greeting exist may exclaimed loud one particular specific situation example breaking object new year considered inauspicious one may say 歲歲平安 suìsuìpíngān immediately mean everlasting peace year year suì 歲 meaning age homophonous 碎 suì meaning shatter demonstration chinese love wordplay auspicious phrase similarly 年年有餘 niánnián yǒu yú wish surplus bountiful harvest every year play word yú also refer 魚 yú meaning fish making catch phrase fishbased chinese new year dish painting graphic fish hung wall presented gift common auspicious greeting saying consist four character following 金玉滿堂 jīnyùmǎntáng – may wealth gold jade come fill hall 大展鴻圖 dàzhǎnhóngtú – may realize ambition 迎春接福 yíngchúnjiēfú – greet new year encounter happiness 萬事如意 wànshìrúyì – may wish fulfilled 吉慶有餘 jíqìngyǒuyú – may happiness without limit 竹報平安 zhúbàopíngān – may hear letter well 一本萬利 yīběnwànlì – may small investment bring tenthousandfold profit 福壽雙全 fúshòushuāngquán – may happiness longevity complete 招財進寶 zhāocáijìnbǎo – wealth acquired precious object follow greeting phrase may also used child receive red packet gift exchanged visiting temple even tossing shredded ingredient yusheng particularly popular malaysia singapore child parent also pray temple hope getting good blessing new year come child teenager sometimes jokingly use phrase 恭喜發財，紅包拿來 pinyin gōngxǐfācái hóngbāo nálái cantonese 恭喜發財利是逗來 jyutping gunghei faatcoi lei si dau loi roughly translated congratulation prosperous give red envelope hakka saying commonly said gung hee fatt choi hung bao diu loi would written 恭喜發財，紅包逗來 – mixture cantonese mandarin variant saying back child hong kong used say 恭喜發財，利是逗來，斗零唔愛 cantonese gung hei fat choy lai si tau loi tau ling ngoi recorded pop song kowloon hong kong reynettes later child hong kong used saying 恭喜發財，利是逗來，伍毫嫌少，壹蚊唔愛 roughly translated congratulation prosperous give red envelope fifty cent little dont want dollar either basically meant disliked small change – coin called hard substance cantonese 硬嘢 instead wanted soft substance cantonese 軟嘢 either ten dollar twenty dollar note celebration lunar new year china tibetan new year losar mongolian new year tsagaan sar celebration lunar new year part asia buryat new year sagaalgan korean new year seollal japanese new year shōgatsu mongolian new year tsagaan sar vietnamese new year tết nguyên đán similar asian lunisolar new year celebration occur april burmese new year thingyan cambodian new year chaul chnam thmey lao new year pii mai sri lankan new year aluth avuruddu thai new year songkran chinese new year gregorian holiday malaysia malaysia chinese new year tahun baru cina indonesian chinese new year imlek lunar new year firework display hong kong birthday che kung welch patricia bjaaland chinese new year oxford university press isbn medium related chinese new year wikimedia common