Chinese New Year customs in Singapore
singapore chinese new year celebrated primarily chinese singaporean member chinese diaspora located make singapore population holiday start new year based traditional lunisolar chinese calendar majority chinese singaporean trace ancestry back southern china specifically guangdong fujian outside greater china singapore country ethnic chinese majority chinese new year one gazetted public holiday singapore chinatown area main attraction lighted wire frame sculpture established intersection new bridge road upper cross street theme model created every year according zodiac symbol year area different wire frame model lighting decoration span new bridge road south bridge road surrounding buddha tooth relic temple another hot spot model chinese culture red colour represents success celebration auspicious colour believed ward evil spirit negative energy idea originated story folk legend mythical beast nian afraid anything red thus new year clothes decoration put typically red colour red bright colour usually worn chinese new year festivity clothes black white avoided colour associated death mourning little new year little new year festival kitchen god celebrated th day th month chinese lunar calendar marking start new year celebration believed household deity report jade emperor ruler heaven earth little new year sweet food offering like sweet cake rice dish provided kitchen god known answer jade emperor usually firecracker would also lit send deity beginning spring cleaning however since introduction dangerous firework act use firecracker banned singapore spring cleaning new year home traditionally swept clean using bamboo leaf ritual believed chase evil spirit along bad luck energy previous year home customary clean sweeping mopping scrubbing washing first day chinese new year sweep away good luck similarly believed hair cut new year good luck would snipped away time house also decorated flower pot red decoration scroll poster auspicious phrase put main doorway celebrate also wear new clothes usher new year representing fresh start ancestor worship ancestor worship occurs eve chinese new year family reunion dinner family worship ancestor offering joss stick prayer food offering invite late family member join new year celebration reunion dinner tradition reunion dinner held eve chinese new year family member travel home share meal loved one traditional chinese family may also invite late ancestor join reunion dinner providing offering family altar son return home married daughter join husband family reunion dinner new year eve food served reunion dinner usually abundance believed bring great wealth new year traditional delicacy served reunion dinner include red date dried sea moss ginkgo nut dried flaked bean dried wood ear mushroom rice vermicelli dried pickled vegetable chinese new year eve vigil night new year child urged stay awake past midnight serf bidding previous year farewell welcoming new year also believed bring longevity parent longer child stay awake longer life parent end night child receive red packet parent going bed red packet often referred ya sui qian 压岁钱 traditionally placed childrens pillow ward evil spirit visiting visiting occurs first day chinese new year colloquially known bai nian 拜年 translating pay visit refers act visiting greeting relative friend visit home usually go hand hand exchanging pair mandarin orange represent wealth good fortune head household considered illmannered show home visit empty handed visit commence child greet pay respect parent elder relative time red packet usually given child first day close senior family member parent grandparent visited traditionally second day married woman visit maiden home red packet new year red packet typically given married adult unmarried younger sibling cousin relative younger generation many case parent also gifted red packet money packed red packet even number auspicious number odd number usually associated giving condolence money funeral receiving red packet customary recipient say auspicious greeting happy new year prosperous new year giver red packet also opened home private considered rude open presence giver cantonese hokkien people red packet given pair close relative following tradition good thing come pair total amount money gifted also even number lo hei lo hei refers communal tossing yusheng mixture thinly sliced raw fish vegetable condiment seasoning yusheng dish originated china modern lo hei tradition brought singapore cantonese teochew migrant practice traditionally observed seventh day first lunar month typically enjoyed throughout chinese new year period lo hei practice involves group people gathered around dining table adding ingredient specific order auspicious saying recited ingredient symbolizes something special auspicious using chopstick diner toss ingredient delivering auspicious saying wish upcoming new year ingredient mixed believed higher toss greater one fortune prospect year lion dance lion dance performance dated back year usually performed auspicious occasion opening new business lion dance also performed chinese new year significance new year associated scaring away legend nian dance feature lion dancer one charge controlling lion head act hind leg performance typically consists skillful coordination lion dancer mimic lion movement acrobatic stance musician accompany lion dancer singapore troupe performs lion dance snap sprig lettuce red packet challenging task peeling open pomelo pinning crab example lion dancer perform recent time many lion dance troupe use singapore drum instead traditional version softer resonance lion dancing troupe traditionally made young boy girl learning art recently chingay parade since annual street parade held part chinese new year festivity