Welcome to the vibrant world of Chinese New Year, a celebration steeped in tradition and rich with cultural significance. As one of the most important holidays in China, this lively festival captivates millions around the globe each year. From ancient legends to dazzling traditions, join us on a captivating journey as we uncover 15 fascinating facts about the Chinese New Year. Brace yourself for dragons, lanterns, mouthwatering feasts, and a tapestry of customs that will leave you in awe. So, let’s dive in and explore the marvelous tapestry of the Chinese New Year celebration!
1-5 Fun Facts About Chinese New Year
1. “Chunyun,” the largest-human migration in the world, occurs annually during Chinese New Year as people return home to reunite with their families.
2. Chinese New Year doesn’t care about the Gregorian calendar; it’s all about that moon power! It kicks off whenever the moon feels like it, usually between January 21 and February 10.
3. Chinese New Year has a rich history, with celebrations dating back over 4,000 years.
4. The Chinese New Year Gala, a televised event, attracts approximately 700 million viewers each year, surpassing the viewership of the Super Bowl and making it the most-watched entertainment show globally.
5. The numbering of years in the Chinese calendar is somewhat subjective, allowing for multiple correct answers when asking for the “Chinese Year.”
6-10 Interesting Facts About Chinese New Year
6. At the stroke of midnight on Chinese New Year, it is customary for every door and window in a Chinese house to be opened, symbolically allowing the old year to depart.
7. During Chinese New Year, it is customary for people to give out red envelopes (hongbao) containing money as a gesture of good luck and blessings.
8. Traditional Chinese New Year celebrations often include a salad toss, where participants toss a mix of vegetables and ingredients together symbolizing good luck and prosperity.
9. The popular Chinese New Year song “Gong Xi Gong Xi” was originally written to commemorate the Japanese defeat and liberation of China during World War II, reflecting the historical context in which it originated.
10. Chinese New Year is celebrated beyond China’s borders. Various countries like North and South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, and Vietnam also partake in the festivities.
11-15 Surprising Facts About Chinese New Year
11. In China, it has become increasingly popular to hire a “fake” girlfriend or boyfriend to bring home during Chinese New Year to alleviate parental pressure to get married. College students offer themselves for rent at varying rates, ranging from as little as $20 to as much as $600 per day.
12. The chuen-hop, also known as the “tray of togetherness,” is an important-element of Chinese New Year celebrations. It typically consists of eight compartments filled with special and symbolic food items, which are offered to guests. The number eight is highly regarded in Chinese culture as it represents good luck.
13. Regardless of the birth date, during Chinese New Year celebrations, everyone is considered to turn a year older, marking a collective age increment for all.
14. To prevent conflicts with ethnic minorities, the state-run broadcaster CCTV in China banned the depiction of pigs in advertisements. As a result, a Coca-Cola ad featuring a piglet was modified in Muslim areas, replacing the piglet with pandas.
15. The tradition of setting off fireworks during Chinese New Year stems from the practice of lighting bamboo stalks on fire to ward off evil spirits, particularly Nian, the malevolent dragon often portrayed in new year parades.
That’s it for this post guys, I hope you had fun while reading 15 Fun Chinese New Year Facts
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