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Traditional Chinese New Year customs

中国传统年俗

Traditional Chinese New Year customs are vibrant and diverse, encompassing various aspects such as year-end cleaning, honoring gods and ancestors, reuniting with family and
friends, celebrating, and special dietary practices. Throughout their evolution and transmission, certain enduring customs have emerged. During the period leading up to the Spring
Festival, people who have worked hard throughout the year engage in various activities to welcome good luck in the coming year.

Xiaonian Returning to the Ma-
rd
The 23 day of the twelfth lunar ternal Home
month The second day of the first lunar
Xiaonian, also known as the Kitch- month
en God Festival, marks the start of the According to traditional customs, married
Spring Festival celebrations. On this day, daughters visit their maternal homes on this
people pay homage to the Kitchen God, day with their husbands and children. Fam-
offering prayers for family harmony and ily members strengthen their bonds through
good fortune in the New Year. various customs and activities together.

Cleaning Day Welcoming the Kitch-
The 24 day of the twelfth lunar en God Back
th
month The fourth day of the first lunar month
On this day, every household performs According to folk legends, on this
a thorough cleaning to sweep away the day, the god in charge of the kitchen fire
bad luck of the past year and welcome checks on each family’s status. As a re-
the positivity and freshness of the New sult, every household prepares abundant
Year. fruits, burns incense, and lights candles
to show their respect and welcome.

Getting Pork to Prepare
for the New Year Feast The Arrival of the
th
The 26 day of the twelfth lunar God of Wealth
month The fifth day of the first lunar month
On this day, people have pigs slaugh- On this day, people engage in various
tered to obtain pork for the New Year activities to welcome the God of Wealth,
feast, while praying for a plentiful grain hoping to attract prosperity for the year
harvest and prosperous livestock in the ahead.
year to come.

Spring Festival’s Eve Celebrating Human
The last day of the twelfth lunar month Day
The eve of the Spring Festival holds spe- The seventh day of the first lunar
cial significance for the Chinese people. On month
this important day that marks the year’s end, In traditional customs, the seventh
regardless of how far they may have traveled, day of the first lunar month is celebrat-
people make their way home to reunite with ed as the birthday of humanity. People
their families, bid farewell to the old year, and commemorate this day to express their
embrace the arrival of spring. good wishes for life.

The Lantern Festival
The Spring Festival The 15 day of the first lunar month
th
The first day of the lunar New Year
On this day, it is common for people People express their longing for reun-
to visit their elders and neighbors to ion, happiness, and a better life through
exchange New Year’s greetings. Elders traditional customs, including eating
often present lucky money to the younger tangyuan (sweet dumplings), solving
generations as a gesture of blessing. lantern riddles, setting off fireworks, and
enjoying the lantern displays.