Whether you know it as the Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year, it is the most celebrated festival in China. It is observed towards the end of January or the beginning of February, which coincides with the transition from one lunar calendar to the next. Since the Shang Dynasty (16th–11th century BCE), the Chinese New Year has been a festival that honors both the dead and the gods.
Chinese New Year: A Celebration of Tradition
The Chinese New Year is a holiday with a lot of history and tradition behind it. The festival lasts for a total of 15 days, starting with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. However, despite the fact that New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are the two most important days of the holiday, each day has its own unique customs and associations with the event.
At New Year's Eve meals, where families join together to ring in the new year, traditional foods such as dumplings, salmon, and sticky rice cakes are offered as courses. Fireworks and other ceremonies, such as lion and dragon dances, are then performed after this to scare away any evil spirits that may still be there.
During the Chinese New Year celebrations, one tradition is to remember the Chinese zodiac, which is a cycle of 12 years in which each year is linked to a different animal. The rat, the ox, the tiger, the rabbit, the dragon, the snake, the horse, the goat, the monkey, the rooster, the dog, and the pig. It is believed that the animal that personifies the year will have a significant impact on the lives of those who were born in that year.
Year of the Rabbit
According to the Chinese zodiac, 2023 is the year of the rabbit– which is known for its tact, elegance, and sensitivity. On top of that, they are known for their creativity, business skills, and desire to start their own businesses. People who were born in the Year of the Rabbit are thought to be placid, easygoing, and excellent at avoiding arguments.
During the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, homes are decked out in red lanterns and banners, children are given red envelopes filled with money, and loved ones trade presents with one another.
In Chinese culture, the color red is linked to luck and protection. At the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations, families get together to send sky lanterns up into the night sky. They do this with the expectation that the good omens will bring their household happiness and success in the year to come.
Good Luck Charms for 2023
During the Chinese New Year celebrations, people often wear or show off symbols and charms that are meant to bring them luck in the coming year. People often use goldfish, which are thought to bring good luck to their owners. During the Chinese New Year, people often give each other goldfish or aquariums with goldfish in them as gifts. This is due to the fact that goldfish are symbolic of riches and plenty.
The Chinese character for "good fortune," and mandarin oranges as symbols of luck. The Chinese character for "mandarin," which is more often used to mean "tangerine," sounds a lot like the word for "gold." They are widely displayed in people's homes and given as presents during the holiday that they celebrate.
In a nutshell, the Chinese New Year is a very traditional festival that has a long history and strong ties to the past. During this time, families get together to celebrate their ancestry, think about their ancestors, and exchange gifts with one another. Due to the fact that the event is associated with the Chinese zodiac and that each year is associated with a different animal, various cultures celebrate it in a variety of unique ways. The most important part of the celebrations is giving and receiving lucky charms and signs like red envelopes, goldfish, and mandarin oranges.
In search of a lucky charm?
Looking for a gift to give to your loved ones this 2023? Here are a few things we recommend!
Maneki Neko Rich Cat is our version of the Maneki Neko, the Japanese hand-waving cat that you see in many Asian restaurants and shops.
Kimbo the Rabbit - 2023 Year of Rabbit | $39.99
Kimbo the Rabbit with Bucket of Gold. We all need a little bit of good fortune and luck these days. For 2023, we have designed Kimbo the Rabbit in celebration of Chinese New Year 2023 - the year of the rabbit.
Good Luck Turtle Keyring - 2023 edition | $19.99
For the new season, we have redesigned the keepsake as a keychain so that it is more functional and versatile. Let this new keepsake foster goodwill and, hopefully, bring a little bit of good luck to you wherever you go.