Chinese New Year: the most important holiday in Southeast Asia

While for us Europeans, the most important holidays of the year are Christmas, the Chinese have it differently. Their most important holiday is the celebration of the New Year. This event is associated with many customs and traditions. Families gather in the home or near the home of the oldest family member. It is a time when masses of people move throughout China, as well as in countries with significant Chinese minorities. They meet to celebrate a new beginning at the table with their family, but also exuberantly and en masse in the streets. When is the Chinese New Year celebrated? What are the customs? Read on.

>>> Are you thinking about where to celebrate New Year's Eve? Saying goodbye to the old year in Polish Zakopane has its charm. The Tatra town has prepared various attractions and experiences for tourists.

When does the New Year start in China and neighboring countries?

We celebrate the New Year always on January 1st. The Chinese follow the lunar calendar, so the date of their New Year is not fixed. The year always begins on the first day of the first lunar month that comes after the winter solstice. The date thus ranges from January 21 to February 20.

The Chinese have been following their calendar for over 5,000 years. The beginning of the year is also associated with the awakening of nature, with the spring festivals. The Chinese calendar is based on cycles of animals and elements, which combine to denote individual years. 12 animals (rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig) are associated with five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each year thus represents one combination of an animal and an element. Each element is associated with two consecutive years. One is yin according to Taoism, and the next is yang.

This year is the year of the wooden dragon.

Mythological origin of New Year customs or how Nian was driven away

Nian was a monster that lived in the mountains. It awoke once a year, always at the end of the year. At that time, it came to villages and attacked people and livestock. People lived in fear for their lives and property. Until one day, a wise man came and advised them to decorate their homes with red decorations, set off fireworks, and make loud noises. When Nian returned, it was frightened and fled. Since then, these rituals have been performed every year at New Year to prevent Nian from returning and bringing misfortune.

Cleaning and decorating homes

Just as we gather a Christmas tree and decorate our homes with lights, stars, and reindeer before Christmas, the Chinese stock up on red and gold decorations, red envelopes, and wishes. They either buy them already written in gold ink or go to markets or shops to find a calligrapher to write a special wish for them in gold characters. They then use these to decorate their home or give them to someone.

Before the holidays, the Chinese clean. This not only removes dirt but also bad energies and misfortune from the past year, preparing the home for the arrival of new energy. This is followed by decorating to bring happiness and abundance into the household and to protect it from evil spirits. The red color is especially important for this. Besides protection, it also symbolizes the happiness they wish for in the new year.

They place red posters with golden couplets on the doors of homes and apartments, expressing blessings and wishes for prosperity. Often depicted on them is the god of wealth to attract financial abundance to the family, or one of the 12 animals that will govern the new year. Statues of these animals are then placed in various spots in the home, either alone or arranged together with mandarins and oranges, which are also symbols of happiness and abundance, or with peonies, orchids, or plum branches, which symbolize new growth and life.

Migration of nations

According to tradition, the whole family gathers for the Chinese New Year. This means that a huge mass of people is on the move. It is customary for the family reunion to always take place in the home or near the home of the oldest family member. The Chinese have up to seven days off during this time. It is a period when trains, buses, and planes are sold out well in advance. Hotels are also overcrowded. Prices can sometimes triple. You will also pay more in restaurants. It is certainly an experience to be at this biggest holiday right in China, but be prepared to plan everything well in advance, and your wallet will definitely feel it.

You can also experience the celebrations of the Chinese New Year or the welcoming of spring in other countries in Southeast Asia, the Pacific, England, the USA, or Canada, simply everywhere where there is a significant Chinese minority.

Traditional dinner

The family first gathers at the table. Usually at home, but recently many also use restaurants. There are at least 18 different dishes on the table. Cold and hot appetizers, soups, noodles, rice, and fish. Dumplings, which symbolize family reunion and happiness, the longest noodles, which represent longevity, and sticky rice cakes, which will guarantee you prosperity in the coming year, must not be missing. There is also fish on the table, but it is never fully eaten. It is only eaten from one side. The rest of the fish signifies that the family has abundance and surplus and will be accompanied by it throughout the new year.

Chinese people exchange gifts throughout the evening. The most typical and desired are red envelopes with money HongBao. If the amount in the envelope is somehow associated with the numbers 8 (financial abundance) or 9 (longevity and eternity), the joy of the recipient is even greater.

Celebrations in the streets

Before midnight, people move to the streets to welcome the new year. However, you can enjoy typical fireworks only in Hong Kong and in villages. Large Chinese cities have banned them due to high smog and fire risks. Nevertheless, the streets are quite lively, noisy, and colorful.

There are dragon and lion dances, and in large cities, dancers or actors in period costumes. The streets are decorated with red lanterns, and firecrackers are constantly exploding.

The New Year celebrations culminate on the 15th day with the Lantern Festival. Even then, the streets fill up. Houses, temples, and parks are adorned with beautiful lanterns of various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some have traditional motifs (dragons, flowers), while others feature contemporary patterns or animals from the Chinese zodiac.

When will the Chinese New Year be and what will it bring us?

Chinese people around the world, as well as in some other Southeast Asian countries, will welcome the new year on Wednesday, January 29, 2025. The wooden dragon will be succeeded by the wooden snake. It will reign until February 16, 2026.

And what will it bring us? According to traditional Chinese astrology, we can expect new beginnings. The stars and energies will favor transformation, creative thinking, and new projects. The wooden snake symbolizes growth, so you can expect success in your projects. However, if you want it, do not make hasty decisions. The snake supports thoroughness, so carefully consider all steps. And your reward will be progress.

In relationships, there will be harmony and understanding. If you have a relationship, it is an opportunity to improve it. If you are looking for your soulmate, there is a chance to meet them.

So let us just wish that the wooden snake brings us everything it promises.