新年习俗和禁忌 By Jeromy Lui, Bruce Xu Arlevia

1. 准备过年 (Preparation for Chinese New Year) Cleaning, sweeping, arranging flowers, decorating, shopping for food, repaying old debts are all done to prepare for the new year. Decorations include lanterns, Cleaning, sweeping, arranging flowers, decorating, shopping for food, repaying old debts are all done to prepare for the new year. Decorations include lanterns, papercutting ( 剪纸 ) and spring couplets ( 对联 ). papercutting ( 剪纸 ) and spring couplets ( 对联 ).

2. 守岁 (Staying up to see the year out) On Chinese New Year ’ s Eve, children are allowed to stay up well past normal bedtime because this is an auspicious sign of their elders ’ life spans. The longer they stay up, the longer their elders live. On Chinese New Year ’ s Eve, children are allowed to stay up well past normal bedtime because this is an auspicious sign of their elders ’ life spans. The longer they stay up, the longer their elders live.

3. 团圆饭 (Chinese New Year Feast) This feast in considered the most important family ritual of the year, especially for those who are away from home. If a family member is not present, a seat will be reserved him/her, showing that the family member ’ s spirit is still with the family. This feast in considered the most important family ritual of the year, especially for those who are away from home. If a family member is not present, a seat will be reserved him/her, showing that the family member ’ s spirit is still with the family.

4. 放鞭炮 (Fireworks) Right after 12:00 am, fireworks are launched to celebrate a new year of good health, prosperity, and happiness. It is believed evil spirits would be driven away and the person to launch the first fireworks in New Year will receive good luck. Right after 12:00 am, fireworks are launched to celebrate a new year of good health, prosperity, and happiness. It is believed evil spirits would be driven away and the person to launch the first fireworks in New Year will receive good luck.

5. 红包 (Red Envelope/Lucky Money) Giving and receiving lucky money signifies good luck for all. Money in even amounts is considered lucky, except for four. A red envelope should remain unopened until the giver and receiver leave each other ’ s company. Giving and receiving lucky money signifies good luck for all. Money in even amounts is considered lucky, except for four. A red envelope should remain unopened until the giver and receiver leave each other ’ s company.

6. 舞龙舞狮 (Dragon Dance) Dragons are believed to bring good luck, long life, and wisdom to people. Dragon dances are performed to scare away evil spirits. Dragons are believed to bring good luck, long life, and wisdom to people. Dragon dances are performed to scare away evil spirits.

7. 元宵节 (Lantern Festival) The lantern festival ends the 15 day celebration of Chinese New Year. Chinese lanterns reflect Chinese themes, depict scenes from legends, and represent the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Lantern riddles are also stuck on lanterns for people to guess. The lantern festival ends the 15 day celebration of Chinese New Year. Chinese lanterns reflect Chinese themes, depict scenes from legends, and represent the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. Lantern riddles are also stuck on lanterns for people to guess.

8. 禁忌 (Taboos) 8. 禁忌 (Taboos) -Don ’ t use knives or scissors on New Year ’ s Day as they may cut off fortune. -Don’t wash your clothes or you will have to work hard in the coming year. -Don’t sweep dirt out of the house or you will sweep your wealth away. -Don’t argue or you will face a year of bickering. -Don’t eat the entire fish or you won’t make a fortune in the coming year 年年有餘 ( 魚 ). Young people are far less likely to pay heed to taboos and omens than the older generations. Young people are far less likely to pay heed to taboos and omens than the older generations.

Conclusion: Although Chinese New Year is considered the most significant holiday for the Chinese, young people are far less likely to pay heed to traditions and rituals than the older generations. In older times, people took traditional customs more seriously because they were afraid to offend the heavenly gods. Although Chinese New Year is considered the most significant holiday for the Chinese, young people are far less likely to pay heed to traditions and rituals than the older generations. In older times, people took traditional customs more seriously because they were afraid to offend the heavenly gods.

Questions 1. What do people do to prepare for Chinese New Year? 2. What are some of the taboos of Chinese New Year? 3. Why do children stay up late on New Year’s Eve?

Reference estivals/a/ChineseNewYear.htm estivals/a/ChineseNewYear.htm ern%20Festival.htm ern%20Festival.htm new-year-traditions.php new-year-traditions.php /china/chinese_new_year.html /china/chinese_new_year.html