Renewal and fortune: Celebrations of Chinese New Year and a welcome to 2025’s Snake
With Chinese New Year approaching on January 29, millions worldwide prepare to honor the Year of the Snake. From cleaning the house to dances and food, Kazinform News Agency delves into the cultural significance and traditions of this vibrant festival that marks a time of renewal and fortune.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese Lunar New Year in English, is one of the most significant celebrations in Chinese culture. Rooted in over 4,000 years of heritage, the festival marks the beginning of the new year on the lunisolar calendar. Starting on January 29, this year honors the Year of the Snake. Celebrations span multiple days, ending in a mix of family get–togethers, feasts, and cultural events. The event, which marks the end of winter and the entrance of spring, is also a celebration of ancestors and a means of bringing luck for the next year.
Chinese New Year customs revolve around the 12-year cycle of animal signs that constitutes the Chinese zodiac. Every year corresponds with one of twelve animals: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. The zodiacs are the main factor that determine the energy and influence of the year. Beginning on January 29, the Year of the Snake symbolizes knowledge, meditation, and metamorphosis. It is believed that those born in Snake years, such as 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 or 2025, are perceived to be intuitive and charming.
Preparations for Chinese New Year begin weeks in advance. Families clean their houses to "sweep away" bad luck and create room for approaching blessings. Once spotless, houses display vibrant red decorations like lanterns, Spring Festival couplets, and the character Fu (福), which means "good fortune."
Shopping becomes an essential activity after the home has been cleaned. Families purchase new items, from furniture to kitchenware, as a way to welcome fresh beginnings and symbolize a clean slate. New clothes are especially significant, with children traditionally dressed in new outfits from head to toe on New Year’s Day. For those in their Ben Ming Nian (Zodiac Year of Birth), wearing red clothing, such as a red coat or underwear, is considered to be a protective custom.
Giving red envelopes, loaded with money and delivered to kids and younger family members, is one of the most awaited of customs. Usually featuring gold lettering and zodiac symbols, these envelopes represent luck and wealth. In modern times, digital red envelopes, exchanged through platforms like WeChat, have become a trendy way to maintain the tradition.
The celebrations have colorful spirit from performances like the lion dance and dragon dance. Featuring actors costumed as lions, the lion dance represents strength and good fortune. The dragon dance, carried out with long, vibrant dragon costumes, symbolizes wealth and drives away evil spirits. Every color in the dragon's design has significance: red for exhilaration, gold for riches, and green for a bumper crop.
The festival's culinary traditions also hold deep symbolism. Dumplings, a staple in northern China, are eaten on New Year’s Eve and several days following, symbolizing wealth due to their similarity with ancient ingots. Some dumplings may hide surprises like coins or candies, each carrying a special blessing. In southern China, glutinous rice balls are popular during the festival, with their round shape symbolizing unity and happiness.
Another beloved tradition by many is to light up the night with fireworks to drive away evil spirits, a custom rooted in the ancient legend of the Monster Nian. Whether through food, clothing, or fireworks, each tradition reflects the greatest goal of the festival, which is hope and joy of starting anew.
Previously, Kazinform reported about the expectations for 2025 and what the year of the Snake will bring to each zodiac.
