In the previous article, we talkedabout the Pre Chinese New Year and the Chinese New Year's Eve, the stove God,
and general cleaning and decorate the house. In this article, we will talk about what customs or how to celebrate this happy five-day New year’s holiday from Chinese NewYear's Eve to the fifth day of the new year!
Chinese New Year's Eve
Chinese New Year's Eve is a day offamily reunion in the past. No matter where you are, no matter where you go, on
Chinese New Year's Eve, you will return home to reunite with family.
Thehighlight of Chinese New Year's Eve is actually eating Chinese New Year's Eve dinner, also known as reunion dinner! In ancient times, because not every household could have fish and meat in their daily life, when it came to the New Year, the dishes on the table at home must be very rich! The family gathered to eat, drink, talk and laugh until late at night. This is the so-called "annual satiety", which means to be full for whole year.
After the reunion dinner, there isanother thing that children are most looking forward to, that is, the elders will give the New Year's money! New Year's money is mainly a blessing from the elders to the younger generations, and usually the younger generations will also need to say some auspicious words before they can do it. It is also a way to bless each other.
New Year's Day
On the morning of New Year's Day, it was customary to set offfirecrackers in the past. The so-called early morning, in fact, is 12 o'clock in the morning, and firecrackers will be set off. This is what we say “With the sound offirecracker we say goodbye to the old year.” The firecrackers representthat the old year has passed, and the new year is to be welcomed.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, many people go to the temple to pray for peace and good luck in the year. On this day, it is also common to go to greet relatives, friends and neighbours and congratulate each other.
The second day of the Lunar New Year
This day is the day when the daughterreturns to her parents' home. Usually, the married daughter will go back to her
parents' home with her husband and children to send New Year's greetings to herparents, and the relatives from her mother side. When a daughter returnsto her parents' home, she needs to bring gifts for her family and red envelopes
for kids.
The third day of the Lunar New Year
There used to be astory which said that the third day of the Lunar New Year was the day when rats marriedtheir wives, so people had to go to bed early. It is also said that the thirdday of the Lunar New Year is not suitable for going out for New Year's greetings,because in the past, the third day of the Lunar New Year was also called Akainu Day. It is said thatAkainu is a very fierce god and people who ever meet it would encounter bad luck, so hetries not to go out.
However, these are all legendary stories,and in modern times, there are no such strange rules. People still choose to go out to meet friends and family on the third day of the Lunar New Year!
The fourth day of the Lunar New Year
The fourth day of the Lunar New Yearis the day of welcoming the Gods. Therefore, people try not to go out on this
day, every household must prepare fragrant, fruits at home to welcome the God of the stove back! As we said earlier, before the Chinese New Year, the God of the stove should be sent on December 23 of the lunar calendar, and the God of the stove should be welcomed back on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year.
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year isthe day to welcome the God of Wealth! Usually, the merchant or company will do the groundbreaking ceremony on this day. In addition to set off the firecrackers, there will also be a start of prayer. Employees who usually attend the scene also can receive red envelopes from the boss!
The above are the traditional New Yearholidays, the different customs for each day. You may find that it seems to be
often said, try not to go out during the New Year's holiday although there are no such superstitions in modern times, it was just hope that people can take advantage of this time to enjoy a good time with their families!
That's it for this one! In the next article, we will introduce the significance of Chinese New Year food, and at the same time, I will share with you what the activities of modern people usually do during the Chinese New Year.