Audrey Wu
EE Staff Writer
Around the world, millions of people flock to their hometowns as others prepare grand feasts at home. Vibrant fireworks burst in the sky as children gleefully receive hóngbāo from relatives. The air is filled with hope and excitement as families and friends reunite and joyfully chime in another New Year.
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival (a related celebration is Lunar New Year, which is celebrated more widely across Asia), is observed between January 21 and February 20 based on the Gregorian calendar. The official date changes annually, but it is celebrated on February 17 for the 2026 calendar year. Around China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and many other places with high ethnic Chinese populations, schools and businesses are closed (ranging from a few days to more than a week) for the fifteen-day celebrations.
Modern-day Chinese New Year celebrations originate from ancient Shang Dynasty protective rituals. Legends said that a monster named Nian (which means “year” in Mandarin) would terrorize and attack villagers on New Year’s Eve. Soon, a wise old man discovered that bright lights, loud noises, and the color red deterred Nián. So, every year the villagers started hanging red lanterns, lit firecrackers, and hanging red paper cuttings (jiǎnzhǐ) on their doors to protect themselves. These traditions continue today, along with many others. Families gather for large reunion dinners to express gratitude for a serendipitous year and express good wishes for the upcoming one. Here, elders would give children hóng bāo, traditional envelopes containing money, that are believed to protect them from evil spirits. Before celebrations, families clean their homes to sweep away bad luck, but do not clean on the day of in order not clear away good luck.
Food is an important part of Chinese New Year celebrations, with each dish having significant symbolism. Fish, yú in Mandarin, symbolizes abundance because it sounds like the word for surplus. It is served as a whole fish, which represents a completely prosperous year. Dumplings, or jiǎozi, are shaped like ancient Chinese gold ingots. They are traditionally served to symbolize wealth and prosperity in the new year. Most importantly, longevity noodles, or miàntiáo, are uncut noodles that symbolize a long, healthy life for the family.
At each new year, the Chinese zodiac sign changes to a new animal. In Mandarin, this system is called Shēngxiào or Shǔxiàng, which roughly translates to birth likeness or animal symbolism. Legends say that there was a grand race held to create the zodiac, and the first twelve animals to finish would earn a place in the zodiac calendar. Despite various versions, the order of finish was the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. Each animal has certain associated characteristics and personalities. For example, people born in the year 2010 are tigers. These people tend to be courageous, confident, and ambitious. Those born in 2009, the Year of the Oxen, are said to be dependable, diligent, and determined.
Chinese New Year is more than just a holiday; it is deeply rooted in cultural traditions that honor history, family, and hopes for the upcoming year. Even in the modern world, these traditions help families to bridge the gap between generations and preserve cultural identity. Happy New Year – Xīnnián kuàilè!
Feature Photo Courtesy: Getty Images